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

[thomaslaw]

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 process of forming the four Nikayas/Agamas based on the SN/SA three parts.

Cf. :

Stratification of the Suttas

Regarding DN/DA (長阿含), Ven. Yin Shun states it was developed and expanded from the Geya (祇夜) anga portion of SA/SN. The following is the quotation, in Chapter 10, Section 4, from the book The Formation of Early Buddhist Texts by Ven. Yin Shun: 第四節 結說 經上來的比對研究，「四阿含」（「四部」）的成立，可得到幾點明確的認識。1.佛法的結集，起初是「修多羅」，次為「祇夜」、「記說」——「弟子所說」、「如來所說」。這三部分，為組成「雜阿含」（起初應泛稱「相應教」）的組成部分。「弟子所說」與「如來所說」，是附編於「蘊」、「處」、「因緣」、「菩提分法」——四類以下的。這是第一結集階段。 在「雜阿含」三部分的集成過程中，集成以後，都可能因經文的傳出而編入，文句也逐漸長起來了。 佛教界稟承佛法的宗本——「修多羅」，經「弟子所說」的學風，而展開法義…

Stratification of the Suttas

In this statement, Ven. Yin Shun suggests: Even if the original form of SA/SN is being considered the most ancient/earliest, it does not mean one is able to understand SA/SN is a synthesis of the three parts/aṅgas (sūtra, geya, vyākaraṇa). Without knowing the characteristics of the three aṅgas and their connection with the formation of the other three Agamas/Nikayas (MA/MN, DA/DN, EA/AN), it is impossible to understand the process of forming the four Agamas/Nikayas according to SA/SN.