vapaSutt

VapaSutt is a term from the Pali Canon, the earliest collection of Buddhist scriptures. It refers to the "Discourse on Freedom" or "Discourse on the Unbinding," and is found in the Samyutta Nikaya, a collection of discourses attributed to the Buddha. The discourse is part of the Samyutta Nikaya's "Book of the Fours" (Cattaka-vagga), which includes four discourses that are considered foundational to the Buddhist path.

The VapaSutt is a short but profound discourse that emphasizes the importance of freedom from suffering (dukkha) and the attainment of enlightenment. The Buddha teaches that true freedom is not merely the absence of physical or material constraints, but the liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). This liberation is achieved through the understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path.

The discourse begins with the Buddha addressing a group of monks who have recently attained enlightenment. He explains that true freedom is not merely the absence of physical or material constraints, but the liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. This liberation is achieved through the understanding of the Four Noble Truths and the practice of the Noble Eightfold Path.

The VapaSutt is a concise and powerful discourse that underscores the Buddhist commitment to the liberation from suffering and the attainment of enlightenment. It serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal of the Buddhist path and the importance of cultivating wisdom and ethical conduct.