Recommended for beginner students
SĀLEYYAKASUTTA
The People of Sālā
The Buddha explains to a group of brahmins the conduct leading to rebirth in higher or lower states, including detailed explanations of the ten core practices which lay people should undertake, and which also form the basis for liberation.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
VERAÑJAKASUTTA
The People of Verañjā
Similar to the previous. The Buddha explains the conduct leading to rebirth in higher or lower states, including detailed explanations of the ten core practices.
Translations
Recommended for experienced students
MAHĀVEDALLASUTTA
The Great Classification
A series of questions and answers between Sāriputta and Mahākotthita, examining various subtle and abstruse aspects of the teachings.
Translations
Recommended for experienced students
CŪĻAVEDALLASUTTA
The Shorter Classification
The layman Visākha asks the nun Dhammadinnā about various difficult matters, including some of the highest meditation attainments. The Buddha fully endorses her answers.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
CŪLADHAMMASAMĀDĀNASUTTA
The Shorter Discourse on Taking Up Practices
The Buddha explains how taking up different practices may have harmful or beneficial results. The memorable simile of the creeper shows how insidious temptations can be.
Translations
Recommended for beginner students
MAHĀDHAMMASAMĀDĀNASUTTA
The Great Discourse on Taking Up Practices
While we all want to be happy, we often find the opposite happens. The Buddha explains why.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
VĪMAṀSAKASUTTA
The Inquirer
While some spiritual teachers prefer to remain in obscurity, the Buddha not only encouraged his followers to closely investigate him, but gave them a detailed and demanding method to do so.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
KOSAMBIYASUTTA
The Mendicants of Kosambī
Despite the Buddha's presence, the monks of Kosambī fell into a deep and bitter dispute. The Buddha taught the reluctant monks to develop love and harmony, reminding them of the state of peace that they sought.
Translations
Recommended for experienced students
BRAHMANIMANTANIKASUTTA
On the Invitation of Divinity
The Buddha ascends to a high heavenly realm where he engages in a cosmic contest with a powerful divinity, who had fallen into the delusion that he was eternal and all-powerful.
Translations
Recommended for intermediate students
MĀRATAJJANĪYASUTTA
The Rebuke of Māra
Māra, the trickster and god of death, tried to annoy Moggallāna. He not only failed but was subject to a stern sermon warning of the dangers of attacking the Buddha's disciples.