Recommended for intermediate students
BRAHMĀYUSUTTA
With Brahmāyu
The oldest and most respected brahmin of the age sends a student to examine the Buddha, and he spends several months following his every move before reporting back. Convinced that the Buddha fulfills an ancient prophecy of the Great Man, the brahmin becomes his disciple.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
SELASUTTA
With Sela
A brahmanical ascetic named Keṇiya invites the entire Sangha for a meal. When the brahmin Sela sees what is happening, he visits the Buddha and expresses his delight in a moving series of devotional verses.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
ASSALĀYANASUTTA
With Assalāyana
A precocious brahmin student is encouraged against his wishes to challenge the Buddha on the question of caste. His reluctance turns out to be justified.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
GHOṬAMUKHASUTTA
With Ghoṭamukha
A brahmin denies that there is such a thing as a principled renunciate life, but Venerable Udena persuades him otherwise.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CAṄKĪSUTTA
With Caṅkī
The reputed brahmin Caṅkī goes with a large group to visit the Buddha, despite the reservations of other brahmins. A precocious student challenges the Buddha, affirming the validity of the Vedic scriptures. The Buddha gives a detailed explanation of how true understanding gradually emerges through spiritual education.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
ESUKĀRĪSUTTA
With Esukārī
A brahmin claims that one deserves service and privilege depending on caste, but the Buddha counters that it is conduct, not caste, that show a person's worth.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
DHĀNAÑJĀNISUTTA
With Dhānañjāni
A corrupt tax-collector is redeemed by his encounter with Venerable Sāriputta.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
VĀSEṬṬHASUTTA
With Vāseṭṭha
Two brahmin students ask the Buddha about what makes a brahmin: birth or deeds? The Buddha points out that, while the species of animals are determined by birth, for humans what matters is how you chose to live. This discourse anticipates the modern view that there are no such things as clearly defined racial differences among humans.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
SUBHASUTTA
With Subha
Working hard is not valuable in and of itself; what matters is the outcome. And just as in lay life, spiritual practice may or may not lead to fruitful results.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
SAṄGĀRAVASUTTA
With Saṅgārava
Angered by the devotion of a brahmin lady, a brahmin visits the Buddha. He positions himself against traditionalists and rationalists, as someone whose teaching is based on direct experience.