The sūtra-mātṛkā (sūtra matrix, 契經, 摩呾理迦 or 本母)

[thomaslaw]

@cdpatton

I can see how they could be considered the most fundamental in terms of Buddhist thought since they are philosophical collections, but I don’t see why they should seen as the earliest sections of SA/SN. … we assume philosophy must be the earliest form of Buddhist teachings, and so we discard the stories.

The collection certainly contains the most essential teachings of Buddhist thought.

However, to say that the collection is the earliest section in SA/SN is not just based on the most essential teachings. It is mainly based on the three-anga structure (sutra, geya, vyakarana angas) of SA/SN, and the sutra-anga was the earliest of the three angas, according to Yin Shun.

This historical view on the formation of EBTs is completely different from the Pali tradition, which the nine-fold aṅga made up the entire Nikāyas of the Sutta-piṭaka was established at once in the first council.

Cf.:

1. The Samyutta Nikaya as the earliest of the EBTs - Discussion - Discuss & Discover

2. The Samyutta Nikaya as the earliest of the EBTs - Discussion - Discuss & Discover