[nanyaHgoc]

In this sutta, the Buddha is essentially saying that even if there is no "next world", Buddhist practice is still a good idea. That's nice. However, he also appears to be saying that not believing in a "next world" is wrong view. In fact, it seems almost impossible to interpret it in any other way, unless his talk of a "next world" is a metaphor, of course.

hi ST

the Pali is 'paraloka', which means 'other world' or 'other worlds'. even Bhikkhu Bodhi uses the correct translation of 'other' for 'para'. the other 'worlds' are the hungry ghost, animal, hell and heavenly worlds

In the Apannaka Sutta, however, the Buddha appears to be defining these superstitious beliefs as right view (without defilements).

you probably need to explain how you came to this conclusion. MN 60 states this right view sides with the "wholesome" rather than with Nibbana. in fact, MN 60 is addressed to 'householders' and, at the end of the sutta, none of listeners gain enlightenment.

if we read carefully, MN 60 states this right view is that of "existence"

this can be contrasted with SN 12.15, which states the view of existence is not right view. the right view described in MN 60 is the same as the defiled right view described in MN 117. thus I recommend to study MN 60, MN 117 and SN 12.15.

regards

Element


And what is the right view that has effluents, sides with merit, & results in acquisitions? 'There is what is given, what is offered, what is sacrificed. There are fruits & results of good & bad actions. There is this world & the other worlds. There is mother & father. There are spontaneously born beings; there are priests & contemplatives who, faring rightly & practicing rightly, proclaim this world & the others after having directly known & realized it for themselves.' This is the right view that has effluents, sides with merit, & results in acquisitions.

MN 117 Even if we didn't speak of the other worlds and there weren't the true statement of those venerable brahmans & contemplatives, this venerable person is still praised in the here-&-now by the wise as a person of good habits & right view: one who holds to a doctrine of existence.

MN 60 By & large, Kaccayana, this world is supported by (takes as its object) a polarity, that of existence & non-existence. But when one sees the origination of the world as it actually is with right discernment, 'non-existence' with reference to the world does not occur to one. When one sees the cessation of the world as it actually is with right discernment, 'existence' with reference to the world does not occur to one.

SN 12.15