Recommended for beginner students
AMBALAṬṬHIKĀRĀHULOVĀDA SUTTA
Instructions to Rāhula at Ambalaṭṭhikā
The Buddha teaches his son Rāhula about the importance of truthfulness and reflection before, during, and after any action.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MAHĀRĀHULOVĀDA SUTTA
The Greater Instructions to Rāhula
The Buddha teaches Rāhula about the elements, the senses, and the practice of meditation, leading to liberation.
Translations
Recommended for experienced students
CŪĻAMĀLUṄKYASUTTA
The Shorter Discourse to Māluṅkya
The Buddha addresses Māluṅkya's questions about speculative views, explaining that such questions are not conducive to the holy life.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MAHĀMĀLUṄKYASUTTA
The Greater Discourse to Māluṅkya
The Buddha further elaborates on the unanswerable questions and the path to liberation, emphasizing the importance of abandoning defilements.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
BHADDĀLISUTTA
With Bhaddāli
The Buddha discusses the reasons for some monks' reluctance to follow the training rules and the benefits of adherence to discipline.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
LAṬUKIKOPAMASUTTA
The Simile of the Quail
The Buddha uses the simile of a quail caught by a flimsy snare to illustrate how attachment to sensual pleasures can bind one to suffering.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CĀTUMASUTTA
At Cātuma
The Buddha teaches about the dangers and difficulties faced by monks, using similes of a river's current and crocodiles.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
NALAKAPĀNASUTTA
At Nalakapāna
The Buddha explains the importance of right effort and diligence in the practice, using the example of a well at Nalakapāna.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
GULISSĀNISUTTA
With Gulissāni
A monk comes down to the community from the wilderness, but doesn't behave properly. Venerable Sāriputta explains how a mendicant should behave, whether in forest or town.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
KĪTĀGIRISUTTA
At Kītāgiri
A third discourse that presents the health benefits of eating in one part of the day, and the reluctance of some mendicants to follow this.