菩提比丘讲南传《经集》

南传《经集》The Sutta-Nipāta, translated by Ven. Dr. H. Saddhatissa

(Curzon Press, 1994, ISBN 0-7007-0181-8, first published in 1985).

Available on Amazon.comThis is one of the oldest collections of Buddhist discourses in the Pali canon; by far one of the most popular as well as the most important. Written in a mixture of prose and verse, it presents a code of conduct and provides the basis for a system of moral philosophy. A prime source work.

The Sutta-Nipāta contains some of the oldest discourses in the Pali Canon. It is a rich source of texts offering guidance to lay Buddhists and also abounds in suttas that extol the contemplative ideals of early Buddhism. Though the Sutta-Nipāta as a collection exists only in the Theravada tradition, some of the individual suttas are found in other traditions. One whole chapter, the Aṭṭhakavagga, is also found in the Chinese Tripiṭaka.

In this series of lectures given at Bodhi Monastery beginning in October 2004, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi explains suttas from the first three chapters. The first three suttas studied, the Ratana, Mahāmaṅgala, and Mettā Suttas, are among the most popular texts in Theravada Buddhism. They provide the backbone of understanding, practice, and attitude in the Theravada Buddhist world and are often taught to lay people so that they will grow up imbibing the values and ideals of Buddhism. They also serve as paritta suttas (“Protective Discourses”), recited to provide blessings and protection in times of difficulty and danger. The first discourse on the Ratana also gives a good introduction to the Sutta-Nipāta in general and its place and history in the Sutta Pitaka.