Buddham Dhammam

Recommended for intermediate students

MAHĀGOSINGASUTTA

MN 32

The Longer Discourse at Gosinga

Several senior mendicants, reveling in the beauty of the night, discuss what kind of practitioner would adorn the park. They take their answers to the Buddha, who praises their answers, but gives his own twist.

Translations

Recommended for beginner students

MAHĀGOPĀLAKASUTTA

MN 33

The Longer Discourse on the Cowherd

For eleven reasons a cowherd is not able to properly look after a herd. The Buddha compares this to the spiritual growth of a mendicant.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

CŪLAGOPĀLAKASUTTA

MN 34

The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd

Drawing parallels with a cowherd guiding his herd across a dangerous river, the Buddha presents the various kinds of enlightened disciples who cross the stream of transmigration.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

CŪĻASACCAKASUTTA

MN 35

The Shorter Discourse With Saccaka

Saccaka was a debater, who challenged the Buddha to a contest. Despite his bragging, the Buddha is not at all perturbed at his attacks.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

MAHĀSACCAKASUTTA

MN 36

The Longer Discourse With Saccaka

In a less confrontational meeting, the Buddha and Saccaka discuss the difference between physical and mental development. The Buddha gives a long account of the various practices he did before awakening, detailing the astonishing...

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

CŪĻATANHĀSAŃKHAYASUTTA

MN 37

The Shorter Discourse on the Ending of Craving

Moggallāna visits the heaven of Sakka, the lord of gods, to see whether he really understands what the Buddha is teaching.

Translations

Recommended for experienced students

MAHĀTANHĀSAŃKHAYASUTTA

MN 38

The Longer Discourse on the Ending of Craving

To counter the wrong view that a self-identical consciousness transmigrates from one life to the next, the Buddha teaches dependent origination, showing that consciousness invariably arises dependent on conditions.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

MAHĀASSAPURASUTTA

MN 39

The Longer Discourse at Assapura

The Buddha encourages the mendicants to live up to their name, by actually practicing in a way that meets or exceeds the expectations people have for renunciants.

Translations

Recommended for intermediate students

CŪĻAASSAPURASUTTA

MN 40

The Shorter Discourse at Assapura

The labels of being a spiritual practitioner don't just come from external trappings, but from sincere inner change.

Translations