WHO ARE OUR ROLE MODELS? - Bhikkhu Mahākaccāna - Intro & Background (Part 1)

Welcome back to the Sutta Meditation Series Podcast. Role models play an important part in all of our lives, whether we seek them out or not. And whether we walk the Buddhist Path or not, they can have the power to shape the direction we take and the ability to influence the decisions that follow on from there.   For Buddhist practitioners,  the Buddha is our most eminent role model, teacher and the Perfectly Enlightened One. And there are also many noble and great disciples of the Buddha.   Today we will focus on monk disciples (bhikkhu) of the Buddha, and one in particular, Bhikkhu Mahākaccāna , who was declared by the Buddha foremost among those explain in detail the meaning of what has been stated in brief (saṅkhittena bhāsitassa vitthārena atthaṁ vibhajantānaṁ) - AN 1.197   This talk will be in a number of parts, as there is much to examine in regards to Venerable Mahākaccāna's background, noble qualities, contribution to the Sangha and the method of his teachings (those detailed explanations of the Buddha's statements in brief, as well as his own teachings of the Dhamma).   For those that have studied or are familiar with Venerable Mahākaccāna's life and teachings, this series of talks will provide encouragement & inspiration towards the Noble Eightfold Path, and wonderful pointers & reminders to realise the Buddha's Teachings for ourselves.   Other suttas mentioned directly or indirectly in this talk include:  – Mahākaccānattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 35)  – Mahākaccānattheraapadāna (Tha Ap 533)  – Kusalākusalabalavatarapañha (Mil 6.3.3)  – Cammakkhandhaka (Vinaya, Pli Tv Kd 5)   – Soṇa Sutta (Ud 65)  – Mahakaccayanatthera Vatthu (Dhp 94)  – Pitaka Disclosure (Petakopadesa)  – The Guide (Nettipakkarana)   In learning about such noble beings, we can delight in their lives and accomplishments; recognise the importance of seeing them as worthy role models; and use it as inspiration towards progress on the Buddha's Noble Eightfold Path.   Bohoma pin to the person who has requested this talk * Apologies if you happened to hear firecrackers towards the end of this talk. These were the Avurudu celebrations that were taking place in the background during the recording of this talk.   The VIDEO with slides has been uploaded to the Sutta Meditation Series podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pVcCOehcnM AND on Spotify as a video podcast Blessings of the Triple Gem. Theruwan saranai