Buddham Dhammam

Recommended for experienced students

MAHĀNIDĀNASUTTA

DN 15

The Great Discourse on Causation

Rejecting Venerable Ananda's claim to easily understand dependent origination, the Buddha presents a complex and demanding analysis, revealing hidden nuances and implications of this central teaching.

Translations

Bhikkhu Bodhi (1984)

English

Recommended for beginner students

MAHĀPARINIBBĀNASUTTA

DN 16

The Great Discourse on the Buddha's Extinguishment

The longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha's death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how...

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

MAHĀSUDASSANASUTTA

DN 17

King Mahāsudassana

An elaborate story of a past life of the Buddha as a legendary king who renounced all to practice meditation.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

JANAVASABHASUTTA

DN 18

With Janavasabha

Beginning with an account of the fates of disciples who had recently passed away, the scene shifts to a discussion of Dhamma held by the gods.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

MAHĀGOVINDASUTTA

DN 19

The Great Steward

A minor deity informs the Buddha of the conversations and business of the gods.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

MAHĀSAMAYASUTTA

DN 20

The Great Congregation

When deities from all realms gather in homage to the Buddha, he gives a series of verses describing them. These verses, which are commonly chanted in Theravadin countries, give one of the most detailed descriptions of the deities...

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

SAKKAPAÑHASUTTA

DN 21

Sakka's Questions

After hearing a love song from a god of music, the Buddha engages in a deep discussion with Sakka on the conditioned origin of attachment and suffering.

Translations

Recommended for experienced students

MAHĀSATIPAṬṬHĀNASUTTA

DN 22

The Longer Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation

The Buddha details the seventh factor of the noble eightfold path, mindfulness meditation. This discourse is essentially identical to MN 10, with the addition of an extended section on the four noble truths derived from MN 141.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

PĀYĀSISUTTA

DN 23

With Pāyāsi

This is a long and entertaining debate between a monk and a skeptic, who went to elaborate and bizarre lengths to prove that there is no such thing as an afterlife. The discourse contains a colorful series of parables and...

Translations