[pathfinder]

In the “Saccavibhaṅga Sutta,” the Buddha says:

Sāriputta is like one who gives birth

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, janetā, evaṁ sāriputto; seyyathāpi jātassa āpādetā, evaṁ moggallāno.

Sāriputta guides people to the fruit of stream-entry, Moggallāna to the highest goal.

Sāriputto, bhikkhave, sotāpattiphale vineti,moggallāno uttamatthe.

Sāriputta is able to explain, teach, assert, establish, clarify, analyze, and reveal the four noble truths in detail.”

Sāriputto, bhikkhave, pahoti cattāri ariyasaccānivitthārena ācikkhituṁ desetuṁ paññāpetuṁpaṭṭhapetuṁ vivarituṁ vibhajituṁ uttānīkātun”ti.

—

Why does the Buddha make this distinction? What is Moggallana known for?

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Jittananto

[Lal]

I have revised the Pathfinder’s link to where to start reading about this issue.

1. Venerables Sariputta and Moggalana were the chief disciples of the Buddha.

• They excelled in two different areas. Ven. Sariputta excelled in Dhamma, the core teachings, and Ven. Moggalana excelled in cultivating Ariya jhana and supernormal (iddhi) powers.

2. A bhikkhu‘s first goal is to attain the Sotapanna stage and “be born in the Ariya lineage.” Once “born an Ariya,” a bhikkhu needs to get to higher magga phala mostly via cultivating insight meditation (the same as Satipatthana/Anapanasati). 

• Some (born with relevant gati) also cultivated iddhi powers (via cultivating jhana).
• Thus, Ven. Sariputta helped in the “(Ariya) birth-giving process,” and Ven. Moggallana helped in the latter stages.

3. One should read the sutta with that background.

 

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Jittananto

[pathfinder]

With that in mind, in Pannāvimutti – Arahanthood without Jhāna we discussed how jhana is not required for arahanthood. However, this sutta seems to place an importance in cultivating jhana (I assume they are talking about ariya jhana).

In the later part of the sutta, Sāriputta explains sammāsamādhi as going through the four jhanas. That means that jhanas are part of the 8 fold path! Should we place more emphasis on formal meditation for ariya jhana? Of course, after obtaining right view.

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Jittananto

[Lal]

Sammā Samādhi can be defined in many ways. 

• For someone who cultivates Ariya jhana, Sammā Samādhi is equivalent to the fourth Ariya jhana.
• Another way to describe Sammā Samādhi is in the “Sammāsamādhi Sutta (AN 5.113).”
• But the most general definition is the following: one who has fulfilled the preceding seven factors of Sammā Diṭṭhi through Sammā Sati would have Sammā Samādhi. See “Mahā­cat­tārīsa­ka Sutta (MN 117).”

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Jittananto

[pathfinder]

I see, thank you!

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Jittananto

[Jittananto]

 Venerable Arahant Maha-Moggallana was able to see the potential for enlightenment in other beings. Venerable Sariputta was unable to see the level of magga phala of others. It was easier for Venerable Maha Moggallana to guide others to higher stages.

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pathfinder, Yash RS

[dosakkhayo]

Sammā Samādhi – How to Define It?

I think this post will help you.

[Author]

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