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54 EASTERN HORIZON | TEACHINGS

Pātimokkha itself. In the context of sewing, sutta means
What Did the “thread”. Modern research shows that when used in the
context of doctrinal reference, it could mean “general
Buddha Really principle, something that threads things together”.

So, coming back to the second controversial point, sutta
Say? in the singular probably refers to the general principle

underlying the Buddha’s discourses.
Buddhist traditions all trace their roots to the
However, the orthodox Theravāda interpretation is that
Buddha, yet they often differ on how to understand sutta refers to the collection of all discourses found in
which teachings truly come from him. How do we the Sutta Piṭaka.
tell the Buddha’s original words apart from later
additions? We asked our three respected teachers Min Wei: In Mahāyāna Buddhism, the authenticity
to share their insights on how their traditions of a teaching is determined by its accordance with
recognize authentic teachings and keep the fundamental doctrinal principles, particularly the
Buddha’s message alive today. Three Dharma Seals: (1) all conditioned phenomena
are impermanent, (2) all dharmas are devoid of
inherent, independent existence, and (3) nirvāṇa is
How does your tradition decide if a teaching is the state of ultimate liberation. These seals serve as
genuinely from the Buddha? What are the main essential criteria for discerning the Buddha’s true
signs or guidelines you use to accept or reject a teachings. Moreover, authentic teachings must embody
teaching as authentic? core Mahāyāna ideals, including the cultivation

of compassion, the realization of emptiness, and
Aggacitta: In Mahāpadesa Sutta (AN 4.180) the dedication to the bodhisattva path. Teachings preserved
Buddha clearly states that if a bhikkhu claimed that within respected scriptural canons—such as the
he had personally heard from the Buddha himself a Tripiṭaka and recognized Mahāyāna sūtras —and
certain aspect of the Dhamma or Vinaya, one should transmitted by enlightened masters are regarded as
neither approve nor reject his claim without proper especially authoritative. A teaching is accepted as valid
investigation. Rather, after verifying that it tallies if it promotes wisdom, alleviates suffering, and supports
with the sutta and/or Vinaya, then only should it be genuine spiritual progress. Teachings that diverge from
approved; otherwise it should be rejected. This same these criteria are viewed as skillful means, cultural
procedure applies also to a claim based on what is heard adaptations, or of non-Buddhist origin.
from a community of bhikkhus, a group of prominent
learned elders or one prominent learned elder. Tsepal: In general, the four seals testify that a doctrine
is Buddha’s, although these four may be interpreted
While this seems quite clear-cut, there are 2 points that differently by different traditions.
can be controversial: the meaning of the word sutta and
the reference to it in the singular rather than plural. 1. All compounded phenomena are impermanent.
2. All contaminated things are duhkha.
The names of the discourses in the 5 Nikāyas were 3. All phenomena are selfless.
not originally appended with the word “sutta”. This is 4. Nirvāṇa is peace.
corroborated in the Buddha’s ninefold classification
of the Dhamma, of which sutta is just one category. At Teachings that can be traced to the Buddha himself
the end of the Pātimokkha recitation, the word sutta can be accepted as authentic and reliable. After

(in suttāgata and suttapariyāpanna) refers to the his awakening, the Buddha taught people of all