New or Corrected EBT Parallel Notes

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I’m creating this thread to drop notes about parallels that I discover or feel ought to be edited in some way. It’s intended to be an ongoing place to put these notes so that myself or someone else on the SuttaCentral team can add or edit the parallels data used by the website. If anyone else wants to make similar notes, feel free to put them here! I’m guessing that a single thread for this would help anyone attempting to maintain the parallels data.

Dīgha Nikāya Notes

  1. DN 2 has a partial parallel in the Mūlasarvāstivāda Vinaya Saṅghabheda @ T1450.24.205a9-206a14
    • Unfortunately, only the introduction up to Ajatasatru recounting for the Buddha his encounters with the six heretics is extant. The remainder of the Chinese translation of the Saṅghabheda beyond that point is lost. The full parallel does exist in Sanskrit, however, though it is a later recension.
  2. DN 33 has parallels found in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya (T1536), which include definitions and commentary:
    1. Three Ways of Making Merit (tīṇi puññakiriyavatthūni): T1536.26.385c12-6a26.
    2. Three Faculties (tīṇindriyāni): T1536.26.388a05-14.
    3. Three Eyes (tīṇi cakkhūni): T1536.26.388a15-26.
    4. Three Weapons (tīṇāvudhāni): T1536.26.388a27-b18.
    5. Three Abidings (tayo vihārā): T1536.26.389a7-b3.
    6. Three Demonstrations (tīṇi pāṭihāriyāni): T1536.26.389b17-90a14.
    7. Three Purities (tīṇi soceyyāni): T1536.26.390a15-28.
    8. Three Things to Put in Charge (tīṇi ādhipateyyāni): T1536.26.390b6-c28.
    9. Four Bases of Psychic Power (cattāro iddhipādā): T1536.26.391c26-2a8.

Madhyama Āgama Notes

  1. There is a parallel passage to MĀ 1 in the Great Parinirvāṇa Sūtra @ T374.12.451b13-2b27, T375.12.693b14-4c1
    • This is a passage that presents the same teaching in the context of being a bodhisattva practice. It provides some exegesis as well, such as giving definitions for each type of sūtra. T374 is the original translation of this text, and T375 was a minor redaction of the same intended to improve its readability. They are virtually identical witnesses. (@cdpatton, 7/21/24)
  2. MĀ 4: There is a lengthy passage in the Great Parinirvāṇa Sūtra inspired by the water parable @ T374.12.574c11-9b20, T375.12.821c14-6c26
    • This is only a derivative parallel that includes the same seven categories as the water parable, but interprets it freely in the context of the Nirvāṇa Sūtra. The most interesting thing about it is that it presents a set of concrete metaphors for the “original” parable which was reinterpreted in terms of Buddhist practitioners. This was left unstated in MĀ 4. The difference betw. T374 and T375 is negligible. (@cdpatton, 7/23/24)
  3. MĀ 92 is a parallel to AN 10.23 and SN 22.94. The list of defilements specifically is also parallel with MN 40, MĀ 183, and AN 10.24.
    • I discovered this while searching for parallels to the list of bad qualities given in Chinese. Similar lists are also found in AN 10.24 and MN 40 (maybe others), but AN 10.23 is the direct parallel that contains the same sermon as the first half of MĀ 92. The conclusion of MĀ 92 appears to be an expanded version of that found in SN 22.94. SN 22.94 is titled Flowers, and MĀ 92 is titled Analogy of Blue and White Lotuses. Altogether, it combines elements of three different Pali suttas. (@cdpatton , 7/17/24)
  4. MĀ 95 and AN 10.53 are parallels
    • I fail to see any relationship between these texts and AN 10.17 or AN 10.18, other than the mention of growth and decline in the latter. I think the association between these two sets of parallels should be removed. (@cdpatton, 7/20/24)
  5. MA 159 has a vague parallel @ Br̥hadāraṇyaka-Upaniṣad 3.6.1
    • In this Upaniṣad passage, which may well predate Buddhism, Gargi questions Yajnavalkya along very similar lines as Agrahana does in our Buddhist sūtra. Earth is analyzed in terms of the four elements, and then the Q&A passes through a number of Brahmanical heavens before Yajnavalkya chides Gargi for asking too many questions about a deity that “we should not know too much about.” This conclusion is very similar to what the Buddha tells Agrahana about nirvāṇa. Hat tip to @srkris for finding this parallel. (@cdpatton, 7/28/24)

Majjhima Nikāya Notes

  1. MN 106 contains a parallel formula found in sūtra quotes in the Śāriputra Abhidharma @ T1548.28.640c20-41c15.
    • The parallel formula in MN 106 reads: “ye ca diṭṭhadhammikā kāmā, ye ca samparāyikā kāmā; yā ca diṭṭhadhammikā kāmasaññā, yā ca samparāyikā kāmasaññā; ye ca diṭṭhadhammikā rūpā, ye ca samparāyikā rūpā; yā ca diṭṭhadhammikā rūpasaññā, yā ca samparāyikā rūpasaññā.” A simple version of this is found in T1548’s definitions of several of the eight liberations: “若現在欲想，未來欲想，現在色想，未來色想,” where only the saññā compounds are listed. MĀ 75 contains the fuller formula found in MN 106 in a slightly different arrangement: “若現世欲及後世欲，若現世色及後世色，若現世欲想、後世欲想，若現世色想、後世色想.” The quotes in T1548 would appear to be from a text defining the eight liberations, while MN 106 and MĀ 75 are only tangentially related because they use a modified version of the liberations. (Lex Wang, c/o @cdpatton, 7/22/24)

Saṃyukta Āgama Notes

  1. SĀ 743: There is a parallel sūtra quote in the Commentary to the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sūtra @ T1509.25.211b26-c1.
    • The quote is nearly identical to SĀ 743’s conclusion except that it specifies the Śubhakṛtsna Heaven as the highest place of rebirth for developing kindness. This was brought to our attention by @Yevgenyi here. (@cdpatton, 7/22/24)
  2. SĀ 754 (T99.2.199a22) is a parallel of SN 45.28 and AN 7.45.
    • The only difference of note is that Śāriputra asks the Buddha about the topic in SĀ 754. In SN and AN, the Buddha addresses the monks. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)
  3. SĀ 1144 has a passage parallel to one found in MN 77 and MĀ 207 @ T99.2.303b6.
    • SĀ 1144 is a direct parallel to SN 16.11, however, it expands the passage at which Mahākassapa relates to Ānanda a time the Buddha discussed the nature of his direct knowledge. In SN 16.11, he simply says “But Kassapa, when I say that I know and see I really do know and see.” In SĀ 1144, the passage is parallel in MN 77 and MĀ 207, and it corresponds better with MN 77. MĀ 207 diverges more from those two versions. (Which, incidentally, is an example of evidence that MĀ and SĀ are not from the same canon.) SĀ-2 119 is also a direct parallel of SĀ 1144 and SN 16.11, and it has yet another much longer and different version of the same passage that matches neither SĀ or MĀ. H/t Alex Wang. (@cdpatton, 8/31/24)

Saṁyutta Nikāya Notes

  1. SN 25.1-10 have parallels at SĀ 61 (T99.2.15c14) and SĀ 892 (T99.2.224b26).
    • SĀ 61 defines each of the five aggregates, then concludes with descriptions of the faith follower, et al. SĀ 892 is actually a group of 10 sūtras that parallel SN 25.1-10 closely, presenting the same ten topics in the same order. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)
  2. SN 35.85 and SĀ 232 have parallels to a key passage in Commentary to the Great Perfection of Wisdom Sūtra @ T1509.25.292b4-6. The same passage is also found in the Mahāsaṃnipata Sūtra @ T397.13.197a19-21
    • In both texts, the quote is used to illustrate nuances in the concept of emptiness, which comes of many varieties in Mahāyāna discourse. The significance of these witnesses is that they agree with SN 35.85 in not interpreting self as “something permanent, eternal, and liable to change” (常、恒、不變易法) as is done in SA 232. H/t to Alex Wang. (@cdpatton, 8/4/24)
  3. SN 51.13 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.391c26-2a8.
    • The commentary in the Saṃgītiparyāya appears to summarize a very similar sūtra. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)

Aṅguttara Nikāya Notes

  1. A parallel to AN 10.60 is quoted in the Śāriputra Abhidharma @ T1548.28.709b27-9
    • This parallel was found by Lex Wang and passed on to me. The quote is the definition of the “concept of impermanence”: 「何謂無常想？如比丘或在樹下露。處如是思惟。色無常受想行識無常。 如實人若想憶想。是名無常想。」 = Katamā cānanda, aniccasaññā? Idhānanda, bhikkhu araññagato vā rukkhamūlagato vā suññāgāragato vā iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘rūpaṁ aniccaṁ, vedanā aniccā, saññā aniccā, saṅkhārā aniccā, viññāṇaṁ aniccan’ti. Iti imesu pañcasu upādānakkhandhesu aniccānupassī viharati. Ayaṁ vuccatānanda, aniccasaññā. There’s a set of ten concepts (saññā) defined in this sutta, so I expect there are other such quotes in T1548. (@cdpatton, 7/22/24)
  2. The description of the mindfulness of gods found in AN 3.70, AN 6.10, AN 6.25, AN 6.26, and AN 11.11-13 and their Ch. parallels also has a parallel in the Great Parinirvāṇa Sūtra @ T374.12.470c14-18, T375.12.713b20-24
    • This parallel matches the Pali description in that it includes the heavens of all three realms rather than just the desire realm heavens. H/t to Alex Wang. (@cdpatton, 8/4/24)
  3. AN 3.40 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.390b6-c28.
    • The commentary in the Saṃgītiparyāya appears to summarize a very similar sūtra. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)
  4. AN 3.60 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.389b17-90a14.
    • The commentary in the Saṃgītiparyāya appears to summarize a very similar sūtra. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)
  5. AN 3.63 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.389a7-b3.
    • AN calls the three abidings “high and luxurious beds” (uccāsayanamahāsayanāni), but otherwise the commentary in the Saṃgītiparyāya appears to summarize a very similar sūtra. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)
  6. AN 3.72 has a parallel @ the first variant of SĀ 490 (T99.2.126a22) and SĀ 562
    • SĀ 490 is actually a group of 36 sūtras that each have a different set of questions that are asked of Śāriputra. The second of these sūtras is the parallel with AN 3.72. A more direct parallel to AN 3.72 is SA 562, in which Ānanda is asked the same three questions and has responses very similar to the Pali version. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/31/24)
  7. AN 3.120 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.390a15-28
    • The commentary in the Saṃgītiparyāya appears to summarize a very similar sūtra. H/t Alex Wang (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)

Sutta Nipāta Notes

  1. Snp 1.6 has a similar parallels @ SĀ 1279 (T99.2.352a14) and SĀ-2.227 (T100.2.470b21).
    • These parallels appear to be an example of phonetic variation in EBTs. Snp 1.6’s keyword derives from P. parābhavati (“decline, ruin, downfall”) while SĀ-2.227 translates a keyword that could easily correspond with words derived from P. paribhavati (“treat with contempt, despise, revile”). The C. trans. is 輕賤 (“take lightly, despise, belittle”). SĀ 1279 trans. the same keyword as 負處 (“place of defeat”). Otherwise, the verses between these parallels vary quite a bit because these different readings were discussed differently, but the basic points describing character flaws do correspond, suggesting a common textual history. These parallels should be investigated further. H/t Alex Wang. (@cdpatton, 8/15/24)
  2. The final verse of Snp 5.16 is quoted in Harivarman’s Tattvasiddhi-śāstra @ T1646.32.259c3-5.
    • The quote explicitly mentions the sutra’s title as “The Questions of the King of Foolishness” (癡王問), which seems a good match for Mogharājamāṇavapucchā. H/t Alex Wang. (@cdpatton, 8/4/24)

Itivuttaka Notes

  1. Iti 60 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.385c12-6a26.
  2. Iti 61 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.388a15-26.
  3. Iti 62 has a parallel in the Sarvāstivāda Abhidharma Saṃgītiparyāya @ T1536.26.388a05-14.
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A wiki might be a better option for continuous updating…a moderator would need to create one for you (unless you have that user privilege).

:elephant: :pray:t3:

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We have a thread for typos and such, why not one for this purpose? :smiley:

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I have temporarily made this into a wiki. @cdpatton let us know if it works for you or if it is more of an inconvenience than the Feedback alternative.

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That’s fine. It hadn’t occurred to me to use a Wiki post. Theoretically, there are other people who can contribute besides myself, but I run into new parallels in the process of researching translations, and I’m going to make it a point to share them here. Thanks!

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Yes, assuming everyone plays nice (as I’m sure they will), it’s much easier if a document with all the changes is compiled as you go (i.e. the original post as a wiki) than if people just add things in the thread. As the OP, @cdpatton you will get a notification on every change made to the OP.

BTW, for anyone interested, the original post in a DM can also be made into a wiki.

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So I’m feeling dumb, if we find any parallels should we just reply to this thread or?

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Nope! There was a problem converting the post to a wiki. Now at the end of the first post you will see this:

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Click on the Edit button and you can edit it.

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image833×297 15.9 KB

To see the history of changes, click on icon above.

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Oh, brilliant. Thanks for the reply!

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One thing that seems a little detrimental about the wiki posts is that they appear to not move to the top of the forum timeline when edits are made. So, I’ll bump it with this reply so people can see some of the additions that have been made. Special thanks to Alex Wang for contributing.

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Yeah, that’s a feature, not a bug. You wouldn’t want them bumped each time a small change was made.

I think it’s ideal to make a reply to draw attention to bigger changes.

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