The Pitaka is generally classified into Vinaya, Suttanta and Abhidhamma. The Suttanta Pitaka is divided into five Nikayas or Collections of Discourses. The Samyutta Nikaya (Collection of Groups of Related Discourses) is the third of the collection. The Nidana Samyutta which deals with Causal Factors is a substantial part of Nidana Vagga Samyutta of the Samyutta Nikaya. This book contains translations of the suttas in the Nidana Samyutta (Group of Related Discourses on Causal Factors) consisting of twenty sections.
The discourses presented in this book range around a single theme called Paticcasamuppada, the Theory of Cause and Effect. The Purpose in proclaiming the Doctrine is to liberate sentient beings from belief in atta, Self, Soul and Ego. |
