Are khandhas early or late EBT?

[thomaslaw]

@Vaddha

For example:

• SN is clearly focused on more plain doctrinal formulae, technical Buddhist terminology and concepts, etc.

This part in SN/SA mainly refers to the major collection of SN/SA on the core teachings in Early Buddhism. SN/SA also contains two minor parts (Geya/Geyya and Vyakarana/Veyyakarana), which are linked to the development of DN/DA, MN/MA, and AN/EA collections in Early Buddhism, according to Ven. YinShun:

The Buddha Knew Proto-SN Formulas: Play of Formulas and the Saṁyutta Collections

Good to see these discussions about the formation of EBTs’ formulas. Regarding SN or proto-SN formulas, it is better to note SN/SA contains three structures/forms, according to Ven. YinShun. That is, SN/SA is a synthesis of the three parts/aṅgas (sūtra, geya, vyākaraṇa). According to Ven. YinShun, without knowing the characteristics of these three parts and their connection with the formation of the other three Nikayas/Agamas (MN/MA, DN/DA, AN/EA), it is impossible to understand the gradual pr…