Bhikkhu Bodhi: Mulapariyaya Sutta: The Root of All Things, Part 3

This podcast explores the Mula Pariyaya Sutta, where the Buddha examines how an "uninstructed worldling" perceives reality. The speaker discusses how distorted perceptions, driven by craving, pride, and misconceptions, lead to a skewed understanding of the world. This misunderstanding results in an attachment to notions of "mine," "I am," and "myself," which can create either eternalist or annihilationist views of the self. The speaker outlines three stages of "full understanding"—recognizing what is known, investigating further, and letting go—as a way to break free from these misguided perceptions. The sutta also provides insight into this journey by analyzing 24 categories of experience, ranging from the four elements to Nibbana, demonstrating how each is misinterpreted due to a lack of complete understanding.