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It is sometimes claimed that the Buddha taught just two things: suffering and the end of suffering. Did he ever actually say this? What did the Buddha teach? What didn't the Buddha teach?
A complete answer to these questions would require a full exposition of the 4 noble truths, in effect, a review of the entire "educational program". Nevertheless, questions like these often arise during Dhamma discussions around a specific topic or after a period of reflection, where the validity and reliability of particular statements and advice is in doubt. In the Alagaddupama Sutta: The Snake Simile [1}, the Buddha outlines many of the mistaken views and assumptions that can impede our progress in Dhamma, stating summarily: "What I teach now as before, O monks, is suffering and the cessation of suffering." So, this claim can be used to define the scope of the Buddha's teaching and, in situations where a discussion has become entangled in opinion and speculation, or where a certain question has apparently been resolved, it is often helpful to take a step back and ask: Does this statement or advice lead to the end of suffering? Does this statement or advice offer any insight into the nature of suffering? If the answer is "it doesn't", prolonging the discussion without a fresh perspective is unlikely to be beneficial. [1] "Alagaddupama Sutta: The Snake Simile" (MN 22), translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.022.nypo.html. Comments are closed.
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