Uragasutta
The Snake
One who advances far along the path sloughs off the near shore and far, like a snake who sloughs off its skin.
Translations
Dhaniyasutta
With Dhaniya the Cowherd
A poetic dialogue contrasting the wealth and security of lay life with the wealth and security of a person who has lived the renunciate life to its culmination. If you have trouble relating to someone like Dhaniya who measures his wealth in cattle, then when reading this poem substitute stocks and bonds for cows and bulls, and economic downturn for rain.
Translations
Khaggavisāṇasutta
The Rhinoceros Horn
If you can't find a good teacher, it's better to wander alone.
Translations
Kasibhāradvājasutta
With Bhāradvāja the Farmer
The Buddha answers a farmer who claims that monks do no useful work and so don't deserve to eat.
Translations
Cundasutta
With the Smith Cunda
Four different types of contemplatives and how to recognize them.
Translations
Parābhavasutta
Downfalls for a Lay Follower
The various actions and attitudes that lead to spiritual decline.
Translations
Vasalasutta
The Lowlife
Being an outcaste is a matter of behavior, not birth.
Translations
Mettasutta
The Discourse on Love
The practice of developing universal goodwill: the practices that form a foundation for the practice, the attitude of universal goodwill itself, and the steps that lead from goodwill to awakening.
Translations
Hemavatasutta
The Buddha Teaches Sātāgira and Hemavata the Native Spirits
The Buddha explains to a yakkha how one crosses over the flood.
Translations
Āḷavakasutta
Āḷavaka the Native Spirit
A yakkha challenges the Buddha with riddles and threatens to "hurl out his mind, rip open his heart, or hurl him across the River Ganges" if he doesn't solve the riddles to the yakkha's satisfaction.
Translations
Vijayasutta
Victory
Victory over the defilements through contemplation of the unattractiveness of the body.
Translations
Munisutta
The Sage
The characteristics of the ideal sage, who finds happiness and security in living the solitary life. (This sutta is apparently one of the series of passages that King Asoka recommended for study and reflection by all practicing Buddhists.)