PARIBBĀJAKAVAGGA

Collections of Middle Discourses

Collections of 'middle-length' discourses and other related texts.

Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

TEVIJJAVACCHAGOTTASUTTA

MN 71

To Vacchagotta on the Threefold Knowledge

The Buddha explains to Vacchagotta that he does not claim omniscience, but teaches a path to liberation.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Experienced level

Recommended for experienced students

AGGIVACCHAGOTTASUTTA

MN 72

To Vacchagotta on Fire

The Buddha uses the simile of a fire to explain why he does not declare certain metaphysical views.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

MAHĀVACCHAGOTTASUTTA

MN 73

The Greater Discourse to Vacchagotta

Vacchagotta becomes a monk and attains arahantship, reflecting on the Buddha's teaching.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

DĪGHANAKHASUTTA

MN 74

To Dīghanakha

The Buddha teaches Dīghanakha about the impermanence of feelings, leading to his liberation.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

MĀGAṆḌIYASUTTA

MN 75

To Māgaṇḍiya

The Buddha explains the dangers of sensual pleasures and the bliss of renunciation to Māgaṇḍiya.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

SANDAKASUTTA

MN 76

To Sandaka

Ānanda explains to Sandaka the four kinds of teachers who are not worth following and the four kinds of spiritual paths that are not conducive to liberation.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Recommended for beginner students

MAHĀSAKULUDĀYISUTTA

MN 77

The Longer Discourse with Sakuludāyī

Unlike many teachers, the Buddha's followers treat him with genuine love and respect, since they see the sincerity of his teaching and practice.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

SAMAṆAMAṆḌIKĀPUTTASUTTA

MN 78

With Uggāhamāna Samaṇamaṇḍikāputta

A wanderer teaches that a person has reached the highest attainment when they keep four basic ethical precepts. The Buddha's standards are considerably higher.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

CŪḶASAKULUDĀYISUTTA

MN 79

The Shorter Discourse with Sakuludāyī

A wanderer teaches his doctrine of the "highest splendor" but is unable to give a satisfactory account of what that means. The Buddha memorably compares him to someone who is in love with an idealized women who he has never met.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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Intermediate level

Recommended for intermediate students

VEKHANASASUTTA

MN 80

With Vekhanasa

Starting off similar to the previous, the Buddha goes on to explain that one is not converted to his teaching just because of clever arguments, but because you see in yourself the results of the practice.

Translations

Bhikkhu Sujato (2018)

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