This is the abridged translation of the Venerable Mahæsø Sayædaw’s discourse on Sakkapanhæ sutta. The discourse was given in December, 1977 at the request of U Pwint Kaung, the President of Buddha Sæsana Nuggaha Organization on the occasion of the annual gathering of Buddhist devotees who came from all over Myanmar to pay respect to the Sayædaw and hear his teaching. The President requested the Venerable Sayædaw to give a Buddhist sermon that would be universally applicable. Therefore Mahæsø Sayædaw chose to give a series of talks on Sakkapañha sutta which was in fact the subject of a manuscript that he had been preparing for publication. The sutta tells us about the Buddha’s dialogue with Sakka, the King of devas and his penetrating analysis of the causes of conflicts, frustrations and sufferings that beset all living beings. The Sayædaw rightly describes the sutta as the Buddha’s talk on world peace and indeed it has an important message for people all over the world. The Venerable Sayædaw’s discourse on the sutta is much informative and illuminating. Many of his observations are essential to the proper understanding and practice of the Dhamma. Thus according to the Sayædaw, the introduction to a sutta is not as important as its central teaching. It serves to establish the authenticity of the sutta but as in the case of Abhidhamma Pi¥aka its absence does not necessarily cast doubt on the origin of a Buddhist teaching. The melodious recitation of scriptures as is customary among some Buddhist preachers and the mass slaughter of animals for food at pagoda festivals are to be deprecated in that such practices run counter to the teaching of the Buddha. No less incompatible with the spirit of the Dhamma is the fondness for lengthy prayers which probably stem from the tendency to rely on external help rather than effort for the attainment of one’s object. Apart from these passing remarks on matters of general interset to the Buddhists, the Sayædaw’s discourse on the essence of the Buddha’s teaching in Sakkapanhæ sutta is superb. It is based on rational observations, anecdotes and teachings in the Pi¥akas and commentaries. The Sayædaw’s clarification of the wholesome sorrow, wholesome depression. etc will certainly inspire the yogøs who are in low spirits because of lack of spiritual progress His other explanations will also enlighten those who do not have much knowledge of the Dhamma or much experience in vipassanæ practice. The importance of Sakkapañha sutta as expounded by Mahæsø Sayædaw is not confined to Buddhists or for that matter to a particular segment of world population. It concerns the whole of mankind as well as all other beings in the universe and those who practise it diligently may rest well assured of the end of suffering. Bhikkhu
Indaka (Nyaunggan)
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