Caturaśītisahasra dharmaskandha – Eighty Four Thousand Topics of the Dharma

Caturaśītisahasra dharmaskandha is a term from Buddhist scriptures that refers to the “Eighty Four Thousand Topics of the Dharma” or “Eighty Four Thousand Dharma Topics.” It is a collection of teachings attributed to the Buddha, encompassing a wide range of topics related to Buddhist philosophy, ethics, meditation, and practical guidance for leading a virtuous life.

The number “eighty-four thousand” is often used symbolically in Buddhism to represent the vastness and completeness of the Buddha’s teachings. It does not necessarily refer to an exact literal count of teachings but rather emphasizes the abundance and diversity of the Dharma that is available for practitioners to explore and incorporate into their lives.

The Caturaśītisahasra dharmaskandha is an essential part of Buddhist scriptures, and its teachings continue to be studied and revered by Buddhist communities worldwide. It serves as a comprehensive source of wisdom and guidance for those seeking to deepen their understanding of the Buddha’s teachings and cultivate a path of spiritual growth and enlightenment.

Below are just a few examples of the various Dharma topics found in Buddhist scriptures. Each topic carries profound wisdom and practical guidance for leading a meaningful and enlightened life. Buddhist practitioners often study and contemplate these teachings to deepen their understanding and apply them in their daily lives.

1. The Four Noble Truths: The foundational teachings of Buddhism, explaining the nature of suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation.
2. The Noble Eightfold Path: The path to end suffering and attain enlightenment, comprising right view, right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration.
3. Dependent Origination: Describes the causal interdependence of all phenomena, explaining how suffering arises due to ignorance and craving.
4. Emptiness (Shunyata): The profound teaching on the nature of reality, emphasizing the lack of inherent existence in all phenomena.
5. Loving-kindness (Metta): The practice of unconditional love and compassion towards oneself and others.
6. Compassion (Karuna): Cultivating empathy and the desire to alleviate the suffering of all beings.
7. Mindfulness (Sati): The practice of present-moment awareness to develop insight and wisdom.
8. Impermanence (Anicca): The recognition of the transient and ever-changing nature of all phenomena.
9. Non-self (Anatta): The teaching that there is no permanent, unchanging self or soul.
10. Five Precepts: Ethical guidelines for lay Buddhists, including refraining from killing, stealing, sexual misconduct, false speech, and intoxication.
11. Four Brahma Viharas: Practices of divine abodes, including loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity.
12. Four Foundations of Mindfulness: The systematic cultivation of mindfulness on the body, feelings, mind, and mental objects.
13. Six Paramitas (Perfections): Generosity, ethical conduct, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom, which are cultivated to progress on the path to awakening.