Sutra Reading

During the second half of the evening, we will be reciting the Sutra (Discourse) on the Better Way to Catch a Snake. This sutra compares the Buddha’s “teachings” to a poisonous snake that can turn and harm us (and others) if we grasp them in the wrong way.  It speaks to the true purpose of the “teachings”, how carefully we need to receive and apply them and, at the same time, not be caught by them — as well as what some of the pitfalls are to watch out for.  A copy of the version from the Plum Village chant book is attached.

 

The book, Thundering Silence, by Thich Nhat Hanh, contains the sutra, as well as Thay’s commentary on it.