Recommended for intermediate students
TEVIJJAVACCHAGOTTASUTTA
To Vacchagotta on the Threefold Knowledge
The Buddha explains to Vacchagotta that he does not claim omniscience, but teaches a path to liberation.
Translations
Recommended for experienced students
AGGIVACCHAGOTTASUTTA
To Vacchagotta on Fire
The Buddha uses the simile of a fire to explain why he does not declare certain metaphysical views.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MAHĀVACCHAGOTTASUTTA
The Greater Discourse to Vacchagotta
Vacchagotta becomes a monk and attains arahantship, reflecting on the Buddha's teaching.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
DĪGHANAKHASUTTA
To Dīghanakha
The Buddha teaches Dīghanakha about the impermanence of feelings, leading to his liberation.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MĀGAṆḌIYASUTTA
To Māgaṇḍiya
The Buddha explains the dangers of sensual pleasures and the bliss of renunciation to Māgaṇḍiya.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
SANDAKASUTTA
To Sandaka
Ānanda explains to Sandaka the four kinds of teachers who are not worth following and the four kinds of spiritual paths that are not conducive to liberation.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
MAHĀSAKULUDĀYISUTTA
The Longer Discourse with Sakuludāyī
Unlike many teachers, the Buddha's followers treat him with genuine love and respect, since they see the sincerity of his teaching and practice.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
SAMAṆAMAṆḌIKĀPUTTASUTTA
With Uggāhamāna Samaṇamaṇḍikāputta
A wanderer teaches that a person has reached the highest attainment when they keep four basic ethical precepts. The Buddha's standards are considerably higher.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CŪḶASAKULUDĀYISUTTA
The Shorter Discourse with Sakuludāyī
A wanderer teaches his doctrine of the "highest splendor" but is unable to give a satisfactory account of what that means. The Buddha memorably compares him to someone who is in love with an idealized women who he has never met.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
VEKHANASASUTTA
With Vekhanasa
Starting off similar to the previous, the Buddha goes on to explain that one is not converted to his teaching just because of clever arguments, but because you see in yourself the results of the practice.