Buddham Dhammam

Recommended for beginner students

SELASUTTA

MN 92

With Sela

A brahmanical ascetic named Keṇiya invites the entire Sangha for a meal. When the brahmin Sela sees what is happening, he visits the Buddha and expresses his delight in a moving series of devotional verses.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

ASSALĀYANASUTTA

MN 93

With Assalāyana

A precocious brahmin student is encouraged against his wishes to challenge the Buddha on the question of caste. His reluctance turns out to be justified.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

GHOṬAMUKHASUTTA

MN 94

With Ghoṭamukha

A brahmin denies that there is such a thing as a principled renunciate life, but Venerable Udena persuades him otherwise.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

CAṄKĪSUTTA

MN 95

With Caṅkī

The reputed brahmin Caṅkī goes with a large group to visit the Buddha, despite the reservations of other brahmins. A precocious student challenges the Buddha, affirming the validity of the Vedic scriptures. The Buddha gives a...

Translations

Bhikkhu Bodhi

English

Recommended for intermediate students

ESUKĀRĪSUTTA

MN 96

With Esukārī

A brahmin claims that one deserves service and privilege depending on caste, but the Buddha counters that it is conduct, not caste, that show a person's worth.

Translations

Recommended for beginner students

DHĀNAÑJĀNISUTTA

MN 97

With Dhānañjāni

A corrupt tax-collector is redeemed by his encounter with Venerable Sāriputta.

Translations

Recommended for beginner students

VĀSEṬṬHASUTTA

MN 98

With Vāseṭṭha

Two brahmin students ask the Buddha about what makes a brahmin: birth or deeds? The Buddha points out that, while the species of animals are determined by birth, for humans what matters is how you chose to live. This discourse...

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

SUBHASUTTA

MN 99

With Subha

Working hard is not valuable in and of itself; what matters is the outcome. And just as in lay life, spiritual practice may or may not lead to fruitful results.

Translations

Recommended for beginner students

SAṄGĀRAVASUTTA

MN 100

With Saṅgārava

Angered by the devotion of a brahmin lady, a brahmin visits the Buddha. He positions himself against traditionalists and rationalists, as someone whose teaching is based on direct experience.

Translations