Collections of sutta texts outside the four main collections.
01
Khuddakapāṭha
Kp
Basic Passages
Nine short texts, collected as a basic study curriculum for novices. Most of the texts are found elsewhere in the nikayas.
02
Dhammapada
Dhp
Sayings of the Dhamma
A famous text of 423 verses arranged by themes. Widely read and translated, with counterparts in Chinese, Tibetan, and Indic languages.
03
Udāna
Ud
Heartfelt Sayings
Eighty short discourses in mixed prose and verse framed by inspired sayings. Overlaps in genre with dhammapada literature.
04
Itivuttaka
Iti
So It Was Said
One hundred and twelve short discourses in mixed prose and verse, arranged in numbered sets from one to four. Traditionally linked to the laywoman Khujjuttara.
05
Suttanipāta
Snp
Anthology of Discourses
Seventy-four mostly short texts in verse or mixed prose and verse, arranged in five chapters. Includes beloved texts such as the Ratana, Mangala, and Metta Suttas.
06
Vimānavatthu
Vv
Stories of Heavenly Mansions
Eighty-five verse stories illustrating heavenly rewards of virtuous deeds, especially offerings. A devotional counterpart to the Petavatthu.
07
Petavatthu
Pv
Stories of Hungry Ghosts
Fifty-one verse stories illustrating rebirth as a hungry ghost due to bad deeds. A devotional counterpart to the Vimānavatthu.
08
Theragāthā
Thag
Verses of the Senior Monks
About 1288 verses by 264 senior monks, celebrating forest life and freedom. Early contemplative literature with no parallel collection in northern canons.
09
Therīgāthā
Thig
Verses of the Senior Nuns
About 524 verses by 73 senior nuns, celebrating freedom and meditation. One of the oldest spiritual texts recording women’s voices; pairs with the Theragāthā.
10
Therāpadāna
Tha Ap
Past Life Legends of the Senior Monks
Five hundred and sixty-three verse stories of past life deeds of senior monks. Later literature pairing with the Theragāthā but focused on vows and past offerings.
11
Therīapadāna
Thi Ap
Past Life Legends of the Senior Nuns
Forty verse stories telling past life deeds of senior nuns. Later literature pairing with the Therīgāthā, focused on vows and past offerings.
12
Buddhavaṁsa
Bv
Chronicle of the Buddhas
A late devotional text in verse detailing lives of past Buddhas and the prediction of Gotama’s awakening. Part of wider pan-sectarian devotional literature.
13
Cariyāpiṭaka
Cp
Canon of Conduct
Thirty-four stories illustrating the Bodhisattva’s virtues. Late text without direct northern counterparts; related to the Buddhavaṁsa devotional stream.
14
Jātaka
Ja
Past Life Stories of the Buddha
A collection of 547 verse sets telling the Buddha’s past lives. Canonical verses with narratives preserved in the commentary. Oldest and largest collection of ancient stories.
15
Mahāniddesa
Mnd
Longer Exposition
One of a pair with Culaniddesa, commentaries on parts of the Suttanipata. Lacks northern counterparts.
16
Cūḷaniddesa
Cnd
Shorter Exposition
Companion to the Mahaniddesa, commenting on parts of the Suttanipata including the Way to the Beyond and the Rhinoceros Horn.
17
Paṭisambhidāmagga
Ps
The Path of Discrimination
An advanced treatise in thirty chapters on Buddhist practice, attributed in tradition to Sariputta. Introduces important technical terms for later philosophy.
18
Netti
Ne
The Guidebook
A systematic guide for reading and interpreting nikaya texts. Similar to the Petakopadesa. Late and not universally accepted as canonical.
19
Peṭakopadesa
Pe
Interpretation of the Canon
A systematic guide for reading and interpreting nikaya texts. Similar to the Netti. Pali text is corrupt in places. Late and not universally canonical.
20
Milindapañha
Mil
Questions of King Milinda
Dialogs on points of Dhamma between Nagasena and King Milinda (Menander I). Lively question and answer format. Later expanded. Not universally canonical.
