[Buddha-l] Re: Where does authority for "true" Buddhism come from?

[Robert Morrison]

Robert Morrison wrote:

> This 'standard' 12 seems to be what the tradition mistakenly comes to
> identify as 'conditioned-arising'.  There are many other more interesting
> lists in the suttas.

Stephen Hodge replied:

>
Precisely !  There are indeed many of these which are ignored by those who 
follow a standardized interpretation of depedent arising -- probably the 
underlying implications for the compilation of the Nikayas are too 
unsettling for many.  I have compiled a preliminary list of these that I 
could post later.
<

Yes, they might have to read all the nikaayas!  But why should they when
they have the abhidhamma!  I would certainly like to see your list.  I've
collected a few versions, but never attempted any real systematic approach.
But I've ended up with three 'levels' of conditioned arising: as 'reality'
(tathataa); as a principle; and as various formulae. My impression is that
the tradition has missed the boat in indentifying conditioned-arising with
only one formula, i.e. the 12 'standard' nidaanas.  Then they have to invent
an 'unconditioned' outside of all conditioned-arising to dig themselves out
of the mess they created.

Best wishes,

Robert