Recommended for intermediate students
CŪĻAGOSINGASUTTA
The Shorter Discourse at Gosinga
The Buddha comes across three mendicants practicing diligently and harmoniously, and asks them how they do it. Reluctant to disclose their higher attainments, they explain how they deal with the practical affairs of living together. But when pressed by the Buddha, they reveal their meditation attainments.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MAHĀGOSINGASUTTA
The Longer Discourse at Gosinga
Several senior mendicants, reveling in the beauty of the night, discuss what kind of practitioner would adorn the park. They take their answers to the Buddha, who praises their answers, but gives his own twist.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
MAHĀGOPĀLAKASUTTA
The Longer Discourse on the Cowherd
For eleven reasons a cowherd is not able to properly look after a herd. The Buddha compares this to the spiritual growth of a mendicant.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CŪLAGOPĀLAKASUTTA
The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd
Drawing parallels with a cowherd guiding his herd across a dangerous river, the Buddha presents the various kinds of enlightened disciples who cross the stream of transmigration.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CŪĻASACCAKASUTTA
The Shorter Discourse With Saccaka
Saccaka was a debater, who challenged the Buddha to a contest. Despite his bragging, the Buddha is not at all perturbed at his attacks.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MAHĀSACCAKASUTTA
The Longer Discourse With Saccaka
In a less confrontational meeting, the Buddha and Saccaka discuss the difference between physical and mental development. The Buddha gives a long account of the various practices he did before awakening, detailing the astonishing lengths he took to mortify the body.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CŪĻATANHĀSAŃKHAYASUTTA
The Shorter Discourse on the Ending of Craving
Moggallāna visits the heaven of Sakka, the lord of gods, to see whether he really understands what the Buddha is teaching.
Translations
Recommended for experienced students
MAHĀTANHĀSAŃKHAYASUTTA
The Longer Discourse on the Ending of Craving
To counter the wrong view that a self-identical consciousness transmigrates from one life to the next, the Buddha teaches dependent origination, showing that consciousness invariably arises dependent on conditions.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MAHĀASSAPURASUTTA
The Longer Discourse at Assapura
The Buddha encourages the mendicants to live up to their name, by actually practicing in a way that meets or exceeds the expectations people have for renunciants.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CŪĻAASSAPURASUTTA
The Shorter Discourse at Assapura
The labels of being a spiritual practitioner don't just come from external trappings, but from sincere inner change.