Buddham Dhammam

Bhikkhu Bodhi (1978)

English

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SAMAÑÑAPHALASUTTA

DN 2

The Fruits of the Ascetic Life

The newly crowned King Ajātasattu is disturbed by the violent means by which he achieved the crown. He visits the Buddha to find peace of mind, and asks him about the benefits of spiritual practice. This is one of the greatest...

Translations

Bhikkhu Bodhi (1978)

English

AMBAṬṬHASUTTA

DN 3

With Ambaṭṭha

A young brahmin student attacks the Buddha's family, but is put in his place.

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SOṆADAṆḌASUTTA

DN 4

With Soṇadaṇḍa

A reputed brahmin visits the Buddha, despite the reservations of other brahmins. They discuss the true meaning of a brahmin, and the Buddha skillfully draws him around to his own point of view.

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English

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KŪṬADANTASUTTA

DN 5

With Kūṭadanta

A brahmin wishes to undertake a great sacrifice, and asks for the Buddha's advice. The Buddha tells a legend of the past, in which a king is persuaded to give up violent sacrifice, and instead to devote his resources to...

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MAHĀLISUTTA

DN 6

With Mahāli

The Buddha explains to a diverse group of lay people how the results of meditation depend on the manner of development.

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JĀLIYASUTTA

DN 7

With Jāliya

This discourse is mostly quoted by the Buddha in the previous.

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MAHĀSĪHANĀDASUTTA

DN 8

The Longer Discourse on the Lion's Roar

The Buddha is challenged by a naked ascetic on the topic of spiritual austerities. He points out that it is quite possible to perform all kinds of austere practices without having any inner purity of mind.

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POṬṬHAPĀDASUTTA

DN 9

With Potthapāda

The Buddha discusses with a wanderer the nature of perception and how it evolves through deeper states of meditation. None of these, however, should be identified with a self or soul.

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SUBHASUTTA

DN 10

With Subha

Shortly after the Buddha's death, Venerable Ānanda is invited to explain the core teachings.

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KEVATŢASUTTA

DN 11

With Kevaddha

The Buddha refuses to perform miracles, explaining that this is not the right way to inspire faith. He goes on to tell the story of a monk whose misguided quest for answers led him as far as Brahmā.

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LOHICCASUTTA

DN 12

With Lohicca

A brahmin has fallen into the idea that there is no point in trying to offer spiritual help to others. The Buddha goes to see him, and persuades him of the genuine benefits of spiritual teaching.

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TEVIJJASUTTA

DN 13

The Three Knowledges

A number of brahmins are discussing the true path to Brahmā. Contesting the claims to authority based on the Vedas, the Buddha insists that only personal experience can lead to the truth.

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