The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Mahakaccana: Clarifying the Most Cryptic Teachings
2017-10-17 Mahakaccana: Clarifying the Most Cryptic Teachings 42:18
Shaila Catherine
Shaila Catherine concluded our lecture series on the Great Disciples, with a talk about the Venerable Mahakaccana. He was a monk famous for explaining difficult and perplexing teachings. The Buddha sometimes gave brief teachings that left the listeners confused. Sometimes the disciples did not ask the Buddha questions to clarify their doubt. Instead they sought out another monk to elucidate the matter and explain the detailed meaning. The Pali Canon preserves several insightful discourses in which initial enigmatic teachings by the Buddha are systematically explained by Venerable Mahakaccana. He addresses profound topics including the construction of I-making and mine-making, craving, conceit, views, mindfulness of sense perceptions, obsession with thoughts of past and future, and overcoming desire and lust. His methods of exposition became the basis of early commentary, and Mahakaccana became known as the first Buddhist commentator.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: The Great Disciples: People and Personalities in the Buddha's Community

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