Indakasutta
With Indaka
A local spirit asks the Buddha how a body is produced if there is no soul.
Translations
Sakkanāmasutta
Sakka In Name Only
A spirit tells the Buddha that if he is truly free he should not be instructing others.
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Sūcilomasutta
With Spiky
The spirits Khara and Sūciloma argue about whether the Buddha is a true ascetic or not. They approach him initially with threats, but then ask as to the origin of greed and hate.
Translations
Maṇibhaddasutta
With Maṇibhadda
The spirit Maṇibhadda speaks in praise of mindfulness, opining that a mindful one is free of hate. The Buddha responds that yes, mindfulness is wonderful, but only through developing love is one free of hate.
Translations
Sānusutta
With Sānu
It seems that the novice Sānu had returned to his home intending to disrobe. To prevent him, a spirit possessed him, encouraging him to pursue the path of good. Sānu’s mother, weeping for her son, also tries to make him stay in robes.
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Piyaṅkarasutta
With Piyaṅkara
A female spirit hushes her son Piyaṅkara so she can hear the teaching and pursue harmlessness.
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Punabbasusutta
With Punabbasu
A female spirit hushes her children as she listens to the teaching. But her son Punabbasu says that he had not been talking, as he too wants to learn.
Translations
Sudattasutta
With Sudatta
When Anāthapiṇḍika heard that a Buddha had arisen in the world, he rose first thing in the morning to go and visit him. But a mysterious darkness caused him to hesitate, so a spirit repeatedly encouraged him to step forward. Finally he reached the Buddha, and asked if he had slept well.
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Paṭhamasukkāsutta
With the Nun Sukkā (1st)
A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages encouraging people to listen to her teaching.
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Dutiyasukkāsutta
With the Nun Sukkā (2nd)
A spirit was full of faith in the nun Sukkā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.
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Cīrāsutta
With the Nun Cīrā
A spirit was full of faith in the nun Cirā, so he went about the towns and villages singing the benefits of giving her offerings.
Translations
Āḷavakasutta
With Āḷavaka
The famous story of the spirit Āḷavaka, who tries to bully the Buddha, but is soon persuaded through a surprisingly insightful series of questions and answers. This discourse provided the background for several elaborate legends in the later traditions