Tagged: Aṅga
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Anālayo - Āgama And Aṅga In The Early Buddhist Oral Tradition
1In the early Buddhist oral tradition, the term `āgama` initially referred to the entire, undifferentiated body of discourses, which was later systematically divided into four collections, known as the four `āgamas` or `nikāyas`, to facilitate memorization and transmission. The author argues that the separate list of nine (or twelve) `aṅgas` was not an earlier or intermediate system for organizing these collections, but rather a classification of different textual types or literary styles, such as prose with verse, stanzas, and birth stories. The paper dismisses theories that shorter lists of `aṅgas` represent an earlier stage, suggesting they are likely abbreviations or transmission errors. Ultimately, the function of the nine `aṅgas` in the discourses was to represent the variety of the Buddha's teachings and to emphasize that true, penetrative understanding of their meaning is superior to mere rote learning of these different compositional forms.
12. Uruvelapāṭihāriyakathā (The Account of the Miracles at Uruvelā)
2The Bhagavā (Buddha) journeyed to Uruvelā, encountering three dreadlocked ascetic brothers — Uruvelakassapa, Nadīkassapo, and Gayākassapo — who were leaders of one thousand ascetics. To overcome Uruvelakassapa's pride and belief in his own spiritual superiority, the Bhagavā performed a series of miracles, including subduing a fierce nāga, being visited by divine beings (Four Great Kings, Sakka, Brahmā Sahampati), discerning Uruvelakassapa's thoughts, and demonstrating control over natural elements and phenomena. Despite each miracle, Uruvelakassapa, while impressed by the Bhagavā's power, repeatedly concluded that the Bhagavā was not an arahant like himself. Finally, the Bhagavā directly challenged Uruvelakassapa's delusion, leading to the conversion of all three brothers and their one thousand followers, who then received ordination. Subsequently, the Bhagavā delivered the Fire Discourse at Gayāsīsa, explaining how all sensory experiences are "burning" with passion, aversion, and delusion, which led to the liberation of all one thousand newly ordained bhikkhus.