From the conversations the Buddha had with his followers we are able to learn some important aspects about Buddhism and the reason why the Buddha taught what he did. In this video I introduce some suttas that highlight four key characteristics of the Buddha’s teachings. In particular this video investigates whether blind faith is the order of the day in Buddhism or whether there is room for logical analysis and personal investigation, whether we need to expand our theoretical knowledge before we begin any sort of practice, and whether Buddhism is something that we should or shouldn’t become attached to.
 
 
Suttas used in this video:

“Simsapa Sutta: The Simsapa Leaves” (SN 56.31), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight, 10 February 2012, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.031.than.html.

“The Taste of Freedom”, by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Access to Insight, 5 June 2010, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/bodhi/bl071.html.

“Cula-Malunkyovada Sutta: The Shorter Instructions to Malunkya” (MN 63), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight, 12 February 2012, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.063.than.html.

“Mahatanhasankhaya Sutta: The Greater Craving-Destruction Discourse” (MN 38), translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Access to Insight, 1 December 2012, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.038.than.html.

“The Discourse on the Snake Simile: Alagaddupama Sutta (MN 22)”, translated from the Pali, with an Introduction and Notes by Nyanaponika Thera. Access to Insight, 1 December 2012, http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/nyanaponika/wheel048.html.