Anupubbikatha
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In Theravada Buddhism, anupubbikathā or ānupubbikathā (Pali) – variously translated as "gradual discourse," "Gradual instruction," "progressive instruction," and "step-by-step talk" – is a method by which the Buddha taught the Dhamma to suitably receptive lay people.
In this approach, the Four Noble Truths are the consummate teaching.
The common formula is:
- Generosity (Dāna)
- Virtue (Sīla)
- Heaven (sagga)
- Danger of sensual pleasure (kāMānaṃ ādīnava)
- Renunciation (Nekkhamma)
- The Four Noble Truths (cattāri ariya-saccāni)
From the Pali Canon
In the Pali Canon, the title for this training, its general intent and outline are provided in the following narrative formula (in English and Pali) which is found in multiple discourses:
"Then the Blessed One gave the Householder ... progressive instruction, that is, talk on giving, talk on virtue, talk on the heavens; he explained the danger, degradation, and defilement in sensual pleasures and the blessing of renunciation.
When he knew that the Householder['s] ... mind was ready, receptive, free from hindrances, elated, and confident, he expounded to him the teaching special to the Buddhas: Suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path."
Atha kho bhagavā ... gahapatissa ānupubbīkathaṃ kathesi. Seyyathīdaṃ: dānakathaṃ, sīlakathaṃ, saggakathaṃ, kāMānaṃ ādīnavaṃ, okāraṃ saṅkilesaṃ, nekkhamme ānisaṃsaṃ pakāsesi. Yadā bhagavā aññāsi ... gahapatiṃ kallacittaṃ muducittaṃ vinīvaraṇacittaṃ udaggacittaṃ pasannacittaṃ, atha yā buddhānaṃ sāmukkaṃsikā dhammadesanā, taṃ pakāsesi: Dukkhaṃ samudayaṃ Nirodhaṃ maggaṃ.
Details for this training are provided in DN 2 and, to a lesser degree, in MN 27 and MN 51.