Greetings,
I would like to propose some optional features that could be added to SuttaCentral to improve the reader experience, without altering the site’s existing design or functionality. The core layout of the site is already excellent, but I believe these features could enhance the site by offering readers more control over their reading experience.
1. Expandable Texts for Repetitions
Many suttas contain repeated sections, which may interrupt the flow of reading for some users. Currently, these repetitions are sometimes condensed or omitted for brevity (using ellipses…), but this may not suit all readers, particularly those who are interested in the full, expanded translation.
I suggest adding a configurable option to reveal or hide these repeated sections using an expandable “details” feature. This would allow users to access the full text if they want, while still offering a condensed view for those who prefer a quicker read.
For example, AN5.192:
Then they meditate spreading a heart full of love to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of love to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will. They meditate spreading a heart full of
compassion ...
compassion to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of compassion to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.
rejoicing ...
Then they meditate spreading a heart full of rejoicing to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of rejoicing to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.
Then they meditate spreading a heart full of equanimity to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of equanimity to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will.
This would allow readers who want to see the full text to do so, while still providing a concise version for those who prefer to skip the repetitions.
2. Option to Hide Sensitive Content
Some texts, especially in the Vinaya and other scriptures, contain sensitive or graphic material that may be unsettling to some readers. While it’s important not to omit such passages (for the sake of the longevity of the Dispensation), I propose adding an option for readers to hide sensitive content behind a warning or an expandable “details” section.
For example, in Vinaya (Parajika 1):
sensitive content!!!
At one time a monk went to a charnel ground where he saw an undecomposed corpse. He had sexual intercourse with it. He became anxious … “You’ve committed an offense entailing expulsion.”
This feature would allow readers to choose whether to view sensitive material, without compromising the integrity of the teachings. Additionally, for texts containing multiple sensitive passages, applying this feature to every individual passage may be impractical. In such cases, a disclaimer could be displayed at the beginning of the text, alerting readers to the option of hiding sensitive content.
Optional and Configurable Features
Both of these features would be optional and configurable through the site’s settings. Users could toggle them on or off, based on their personal preferences. It would be helpful to inform readers that these features are available, so they can decide whether or not to activate them.
By keeping the core layout intact, these features would simply enhance the user experience, offering greater flexibility without disrupting the existing functionality of SuttaCentral.
I would like to hear the community’s opinion on these proposals. Do you think these features could improve the reading experience on the site? Or perhaps there is another suggestion that could be even more helpful for readers?
