What is the Brahmajala Sutta?
Q: What is the Brahmajala Sutta?
A: The Brahmajala Sutta is the first of 34 suttas in the Digha Nikaya (the Long Discourses of the Buddha). It is also called 'Atthajala', 'Dhammajala', 'Ditthijala' and 'Anuttarasangama Vijaya'. It discusses two main topics: the elaboration of Ten Precepts and 62 beliefs held by ascetics in Ganges plains during Buddha's life.
Q: What are Cula-sila, Majjhima-sila, and Maha-sila?
A: Cula-sila deals with Ten Precepts to be practised by devout Buddhists, while Majjhima-sila gives a detailed description of practice of sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth precepts together with plant conservation and speech etiquette. Maha-Sila refers to Great Precepts which are more advanced forms of Buddhist practices.
Q: How are these beliefs divided?
A: These beliefs are divided into 18 beliefs related to past (pubbantanuditthino) and 44 beliefs about future (aparantakappika).
Q: What does the sutta say about clinging to these beliefs?
A: The sutta warns against clinging to these beliefs as they can still be influenced by desire (lobha), hatred (dosa), and ignorance (moha) that its faithful followers will not end in final liberation but still remain in cycle of samsara.
Q: How do believers compare to small fish in a pond?
A: Believers of these faiths are compared to small fish in a pond which will be captured by a fine net no matter how much they want to escape, while those who see reality as it is are beyond the net of samsara.
Q: Is this information still relevant today?
A: Yes, many of these beliefs discussed in Brahmajala Sutta are still relevant today thus providing Buddhist scholars with much information for them to ponder about Buddha's teachings.
