Soṇasutta
With Soṇa
When Venerable Soṇa thinks of disrobing, the Buddha comes and encourages him with the famous simile of the lute that is tuned neither too loose nor too tight.
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Phaggunasutta
With Phagguna
The Buddha consoles Venerable Phagguṇa on his deathbed, and he dies at peace. The Buddha then explains to Ānanda the benefits of hearing the Dhamma at the right time.
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Chaḷabhijātisutta
The Six Classes of Rebirth
Ānanda asks the Buddha about the six classes of people described by the rival ascetic Pūraṇa Kassapa. The Buddha rejects them, and proposes an alternate scheme, emphasizing the importance ones deeds in this life.
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Āsavasutta
Defilements
The Buddha explains diverse methods for overcoming diverse kinds of defilements.
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Dārukammikasutta
With Dārukammika
The householder Dārukammika claims to give gifts to arahants. But the Buddha warns him that it’s hard to know who is really an arahant, and encourage him instead to make offerings to the Saṅgha.
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Hatthisāriputtasutta
With Hatthisāriputta
The junior monk Citta Hatthisāriputta rudely interrupts his seniors, and is admonished by Mahākoṭṭhita. His friends speak in his defense, but Mahākoṭṭhita warns them with a long explanation of how hard it is to know another’s mind. Ultimately, Citta disrobes.
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Majjhesutta
In the Middle
Several senior mendicants discuss the “Questions of Metteyya” from the Pārāyana (Snp 5.3). Each propose an interpretation, and they then ask the Buddha. He praises each reading, but gives his own intended meaning.
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Purisindriyañāṇasutta
Knowledge of the Faculties of Persons
A monk asks whether, when the Buddha said that Devadatta was going to hell, he was speaking metaphorically. The Buddha castigates him, wondering how anyone could misunderstand such a straightforward statement, and explains how he reads the minds of others and understands where their deeds will lead them.
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Nibbedhikasutta
Penetrative
A detailed analysis of several central themes, including sense perception, feeling, defilements, kamma, etc.
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Sīhanādasutta
The Lion’s Roar
The Buddha possesses six spiritual powers that enable him to roar his lion’s roar.