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  • The Buddha and His Teachings
    • Chapter 1 The Buddha
    • Chapter 2 His struggle for enlightenment
    • Chapter 3 The buddhahood
    • Chapter 4 After The Enlightenment
    • Chapter 5 The invitation to expound the dhamma
    • Chapter 6 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
    • Chapter 7 The Teaching of the Dhamma
    • Chapter 8 The Buddha and his relatives
    • Chapter 9 The Buddha and his relatives
    • Chapter 10 The Buddha's chief opponents and supporters
    • Chapter 11 The Buddha's Royal Patrons
    • Chapter 12 The Buddha's Ministry
    • Chapter 13 The Buddha's daily routine
    • Chapter 14 The Buddha’s Parinibbāna (Death)
    • Chapter 15 What is Buddhism
    • Chapter 16 Some Salient Characteristics of Buddhism
    • Chapter 17 The Four Noble Truths
    • Chapter 18 Kamma
    • Chapter 19 What is kamma?
    • Chapter 20 The Working of Kamma
    • Chapter 21 Nature of kamma
    • Chapter 22 What is the Origin of Life?
    • Chapter 23 The Buddha on the so-called Creator
    • Chapter 24 Reasons to Believe in Rebirth
    • Chapter 25 The Wheel of Life – Paticca-Samuppāda
    • Chapter 26 Modes of Birth and Death
    • Chapter 27 Planes of Existence
    • Chapter 28 How Rebirth takes place
    • Chapter 29 What is it that is Reborn? (No-soul)
    • Chapter 30 Moral Responsibility
    • Chapter 31 Kammic Descent and Kammic Ascent
    • Chapter 32 A Note on the Doctrine of Kamma & Rebirth in the West
    • Chapter 33 Nibbāna
    • Chapter 34 Characteristics of Nibbāna
    • Chapter 35 The Way to Nibbāna (I)
    • Chapter 36 The Way to Nibbāna (II) Meditation
    • Chapter 37: Nīvarana or Hindrances
    • Chapter 38 The Way to Nibbāna (III)
    • Chapter 39 The State of an Arahant
    • Chapter 40 The Bodhisatta Ideal
    • Chapter 41 Pāramī – Perfections
    • Chapter 42 Brahmavihāra – The Sublime States
    • Chapter 43 Eight Worldly Conditions
    • Chapter 44 The Problems of Life
  • History of Buddhism
    • Buddha and Contemporary teachers
    • The qualities of Buddha that promote the spread of Buddhism
    • Spread of Buddhism in India & Buddha Early Disciples
    • Origin of monks settlements
    • The Evolution of Sangha
    • 1st Buddhist council
    • 2nd Buddhist Council
    • 3rd Buddhist Council
    • Supporters of Buddhism
    • The Bhikkhuni Order
    • Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta
    • Buddhism during reign of King Anawrahta in Myanmar
    • Buddhism in Cambodia
    • Buddhism in Sri Lanka (Venerable Mahinda)
    • Buddhism in Thailand (Ayutthaya period)
    • King Suddhodana (Buddha's Father)
    • King Asoka
    • King Devanampiya Tissa (Sri Lanka)
    • Lumbini
    • Mahasanghika School
  • Basic Buddhism Doctrine
    • 3 characteristics of existence
    • 3 evil roots
    • First noble truth
    • Four sublime abodes (Cattaro Brahma Vihara)
    • 4 Noble Truths
    • Noble Eightfold Path
    • 5 Aggregates
    • 5 Jhana Factors
    • 5 precepts and buddhist ethics
    • 10 Meritorious Deeds
    • Buddhist Ethics
    • Classification of Kamma
    • Death, Kamma and Rebirth
    • Kamma differentiates beings (Cula Kamma Vibhanga Sutta)
    • Cravings
    • Dasa-rājādhamma / 10 Royal Virtues
    • Dependent origination (Paticca Samuppada)
    • Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (First discourse)
    • Feelings
    • Hiri and Ottappa
    • Metta (Loving kindness)
    • Mindfulness
  • Digha Nikaya (Long Discourse)
    • DN 1 Brahmajala Sutta
    • DN 2 Samannaphala Sutta (The Fruits of the homeless life)
    • DN 3 Ambattha Sutta
    • DN 4 Sonadanda Sutta
    • DN 5 Kuttadanta Sutta
    • DN 6 Mahali Sutta
    • DN 7 Jaliya Sutta
    • DN 8 Mahasihanada Sutta: The Great Lion's Roar
    • DN 9 : Potthapada Sutta
    • DN 10 Subha Sutta: Morality, concentration and wisdom
    • DN 11 Kevaddha Sutta: What Brahma didn't know
    • DN 12 Lohicca Sutta : Good and Bad teachers
    • DN 13 Tevijja Sutta : The threefold knowledge (The Way to Brahma)
    • DN 14 Mahapadana Sutta: : The Great Discourse on the Lineage
    • DN 15 Mahanidana Sutta: The Great discourse on Origination
    • DN 16 Maha-parinibbana Sutta
    • DN 17 Mahasudassana Sutta: The Great Splendor, A King's Renunciation
    • DN 18: Janavasabha sutta: Brahma addresses the gods
    • DN 19 Mahagovinda Sutta: The Great Steward
    • Dn 20 Mahisamaya Sutta: The Mighty Gathering Devas Come to See the Buddha
    • Dn 21 Sakkapanha Sutta: Sakka's questions
    • DN 22 Mahasatipatthana Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness
    • DN 23: Payasi Sutta; Debate with a sceptic
    • DN 24: Patika suta: About Patikaputta The Charlatan
    • DN 25: Udumbarika-Sihanada Sutta: The Great Lion's Roar to the Udumbarikans
    • DN 26 Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta : The Lion's roar on the turning of the wheel
    • DN27 Aggañña Sutta: On Knowledge of Beginnings
    • DN 28 Sampasadaniya Sutta: Serene Faith
    • Dn 29 Pasadika Sutta: The Delightful Discourse
    • DN 30 Lakkhana Sutta: The Marks of a Great Man
    • DN 31. Sigalovada Sutta Advice to the lay people
    • DN 32 Atanatiya Sutta (The Atanata protective verses)
    • DN 33 Sangiti Sutta: The Chanting Together
    • Dn 34: Dasuttara Sutta: Expanding Decades
  • Majjhima Nikaya (Middle length discourse)
    • MN 1 Mulapariyaya Sutta (The Root of All Things)
    • MN 2 Sabbasava Sutta
    • MN 3 Dhammadayada Sutta (Heirs in Dhamma)
    • MN 4 Bhayabherava Sutta (Fear and Dread)
    • MN 5 Anangana Sutta (Without Blemishes)
    • MN 6 Akankheyya Sutta (If a Bhikkhu Should Wish)
    • MN 7 Vatthupama Sutta (The Simile of the Cloth)
    • MN 8 Sallekha Sutta (Effacement)
    • MN 9: Sammaditthi Sutta (Right View)
    • MN 10 Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness
    • MN 11 Culasihanada Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Lion's Roar
    • MN 12 Mahasihanada Sutta :The Greater Discourse on the Lion's Roar
    • MN 13 Mahadukkhakkhandha Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Mass of Suffering
    • MN 14 Culadukkhakkhandha Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Mass of Suffering
    • MN 15 Anumana Sutta: Inference
    • MN 16 Cetokhila Sutta: The Wilderness in the Heart
    • MN 17 Vanapattha Sutta: Jungle Thickets
    • MN 18 Madhupindika Sutta: The Honeyball
    • MN 19 Dvedhavitakka Sutta: Two Kinds of Thought
    • MN 20 Vitakkasanthana Sutta : The Removal of Distracting Thoughts
    • MN 21 Kakacupama Sutta: The Simile of the Saw
    • MN 22 Alagaddupama Sutta: The Simile of the Snake
    • MN 23 Vammika Sutta: The Ant-hill
    • MN 24 Rathavinita Sutta: The Relay Chariots
    • MN 25 Nivapa Sutta: The Bait
    • MN 26 Ariyapariyesana Sutta: The Noble Search
    • MN 27 Culahatthipadopama Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant's Footprint
    • MN 28 Mahahatthipadopama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant's Footprint
    • MN 29 Mahasaropama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood
    • MN 30 Culasaropama Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood
    • MN 31 Culagosinga sutta: The shorter discourse in Gosinga
    • MN 32 Mahagosinga Sutta: The Greater Discourse in Gosinga
    • MN 33 Mahagopalaka Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Cowherd
    • MN 34 Culagopalaka Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd
    • MN 35 Culasaccaka Sutta: The Shorter Discourse to Saccaka
    • MN 36 Mahasaccaka Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Saccaka
    • MN 37 Culatanhasankhaya Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Destruction of Craving
    • MN 38 Mahatanhasankhaya Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Destruction of Craving
    • MN 39 Maha-Assapura Sutta: The Greater Discourse at Assapura
    • MN 40 Cula-Assapura Sutta: The Shorter Discourse at Assapura
    • MN 41 Saleyyaka Sutta: The Brahmins of Sala
    • MN 42 Veranjaka Sutta: The Brahmins of Veranja
    • MN 43 Mahavedalla Sutta: The Greater Series of Questions and Answers
    • MN 44 Culavedalla Sutta: The Shorter Series of Questions and Answers
    • MN 45 Culadhammasamadana Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on Ways of Undertaking Things
    • MN 46 Mahadhammasamadana Sutta: The Greater Discourse on Ways of Undertaking Things
    • MN 47 Vimamsaka Sutta: The Inquirer
    • MN 48 Kosambiya Sutta: The Kosambians
    • MN 49 Brahmanimantanika Sutta: The Invitation of a Brahma
    • MN 50 Maratajjaniya Sutta: The Rebuke to Mara
    • MN 51 Kandaraka Sutta: To Kandaraka
    • MN 52 Atthakanagara Sutta: The Man from Atthakanagara
    • MN 53 Sekha Sutta: The Disciple in Higher Training
    • MN 54 Potaliya Sutta: To Potaliya
    • MN 55 Jivaka Sutta: To Jivaka
    • MN 56 Upali Sutta: To Upali
    • MN 57 Kukkuravatika Sutta: The Dog-duty Ascetic
    • MN 58 Abhayarajakumara Sutta: To Prince Abhaya
    • MN 59 Bahuvedaniya Sutta: The Many Kinds of Feeling
    • MN 60 Apannaka Sutta: The Incontrovertible Teaching
    • MN 61 Ambalatthikarahulovada Sutta: Advice to Rahula at Ambalatthika
    • MN 62 Maharahulovada Sutta: The Greater Discourse of Advice to Rahula
    • MN 63 Culamalunkya Sutta: The Shorter Discourse to Malunkyaputta
    • MN 64 Mahamalunkya Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Malunkyaputta
    • MN 65 Bhaddali Sutta: To Bhaddali
    • MN 66 Latukikopama Sutta: The Simile of the Quail
    • MN 67 Catuma Sutta: At Catuma
    • MN 68 Nalakapana Sutta: At Nalakapana
    • MN 69 Gulissani Sutta: Gulissani
    • MN 70 Kitagiri Sutta: At Kitagiri
    • MN 71 Tevijjavacchagotta Sutta: To Vacchagotta on the Threefold True Knowledge
    • MN 72 Aggivacchagotta Sutta: To Vacchagotta on Fire
    • MN 73 Mahavacchagotta Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Vacchagotta
    • MN 74 Dighanakha Sutta: To Dighanakha
    • MN 75 Magandiya Sutta: To Magandiya
    • MN 76 Sandaka Sutta: To Sandaka
    • MN 77 Mahasakuludayi Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Sakuludayin
    • MN 78 Samanamandika Sutta: Samanamandikaputta
    • MN 79 Culasakuludayi Sutta: The Shorter Discourse to Sakuludayin
    • MN 80 Vekhanassa Sutta: To Vekhanassa
    • MN 81 Ghatikara Sutta: Ghatikara the Potter
    • MN 82 Ratthapala Sutta: On Ratthapala
    • MN 83 Makhadeva Sutta: King Makhadeva
    • MN 84 Madhura Sutta: At Madhura
    • MN 85 Bodhirajakumara Sutta: To Prince Bodhi
    • MN 86 Angulimala Sutta: On Angulimala
    • MN 87 Piyajatika Sutta: Born from Those Who Are Dear
    • MN 88 Bahitika Sutta: The Cloak
    • MN 89 Dhammacetiya Sutta: Monuments to the Dhamma
    • MN 90 Kannakatthala Sutta: At Kannakatthala
    • MN 91 Brahmayu Sutta: Brahmayu
    • MN 92 Sela Sutta: To Sela
    • MN 93 Assalayana Sutta: To Assalayana
    • MN 94 Ghotamukha Sutta: To Ghotamukha
    • MN 95 Canki Sutta: With Canki
    • MN 96 Esukari Sutta: To Esukari
    • MN 97 Dhananjani Sutta: To Dhananjani
    • MN 98 Vasettha Sutta: To Vasettha
    • MN 99 Subha Sutta: To Subha
    • MN 100 Sangarava Sutta: To Sangarava
    • MN 101 Devadaha Sutta: At Devadaha
    • MN 102 Pancattaya Sutta: The Five and Three
    • MN 103 Kinti Sutta: What Do You Think About Me?
    • MN 104 Samagama Sutta: At Samagama
    • MN 105 Sunakkhatta Sutta: To Sunakkhatta
    • MN 106 Anenjasappaya Sutta: The Way to the Imperturbable
    • MN 107 Ganakamoggallana Sutta: To Ganaka Moggallana
    • MN 108 Gopakamoggallana Sutta: With Gopaka Moggallana
    • MN 109 Mahapunnama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Full-moon Night
    • MN 110 Culapunnama Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Full-moon Night
    • MN 111 Anupada Sutta: One by One As They Occurred
    • MN 112 Chabbisodhana Sutta: The Sixfold Purity
    • MN 113 Sappurisa Sutta: The True Man
    • MN 114 Sevitabbasevitabba Sutta: To Be Cultivated and Not To Be Cultivated
    • MN 115 Bahudhatuka Sutta: The Many Kinds of Elements
    • MN 116 Isigili Sutta- Isigili: The Gullet of the Seers
    • MN 117 Mahacattansaka Sutta: The Great Forty
    • MN 118 Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing
    • MN 119 Kayagatasati Sutta: Mindfulness of the Body
    • MN 120 Sankharupapatti Sutta: Reappearance by Aspiration
    • MN 121 Culasunnata Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on Voidness
    • MN 122 Mahasunnata Sutta: The Greater Discourse on Voidness
    • MN 123 Acchariya-abbhuta Sutta: Wonderful and Marvellous
    • MN 124 Bakkula Sutta: Bakkula
    • MN 125 Dantabhumi Sutta: The Grade of the Tamed
    • MN 126 Bhumija Sutta: Bhumija
    • MN 127 Anuruddha Sutta: Anuruddha
    • MN 128 Upakkilesa Sutta: Imperfections
    • MN 129 Balapandita Sutta: Fools and Wise Men
    • MN 130 Devaduta Sutta: The Divine Messengers
    • MN 131 Bhaddekaratta Sutta: One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 132 Anandabhaddekaratta Sutta: Ananda and One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 133 Mahakaccanabhaddekaratta Sutta: MahaKaccana and One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 134 Lomasakangiyabhaddekaratta Sutta: Lomasakangiya and One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 135 Cula Kamma Vibhanga Sutta
    • MN 136 Mahakammavibhanga Sutta: The Greater Exposition of Action
    • MN 137 Salayatanavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Sixfold Base
    • MN 138 Uddesavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of a Summary
    • MN 139 Aranavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of Non-Conflict
    • MN 140 Dhatuvibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Elements
    • MN 141 Saccavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Truths
    • MN 142 Dakkhinavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of Offerings
    • MN 143 Anathapindikovada Sutta: Advice to Anathapindika
    • MN 144 Channovada Sutta: Advice to Channa
    • MN 145 Punnovada Sutta: Advice to Punna
    • MN 146 Nandakovada Sutta: Advice from Nandaka
    • MN 147 Cularahulovada Sutta: The Shorter Discourse of Advice to Rahula
    • MN 148 Chachakka Sutta: The Six Sets of Six
    • MN 149 Mahasalayatanika Sutta: The Great Sixfold Base
    • MN 150 Nagaravindeyya Sutta: To the Nagaravindans
    • MN 151 Pindapataparisuddhi Sutta: The Purification of Almsfood
    • MN 152 Indriyabhavana Sutta: The Development of the Faculties
  • Samyutta Nikaya (Connected discourse)
    • PART I: The Book with Verses (Sagathavagga) >
      • Chapter 1 Devata-samyutta: Connected Discourses with Devatas
      • ​Chapter 2 Devaputta Sutta: Connected discourse with young devas
      • ​Chapter 3 Kosala-Samyutta (With the Kosalan)
      • Chapter 4 Mara-samyutta (Mara)
      • Chapter 5 Bhikkhuni-Samyutta (With Bhikkunis)
      • Chapter 6 Brahma-Samyutta (With Brahmas)
      • Chapter 7 Brahmana- Samyutta (With Brahmins)
      • Chapter 8 Vangisa- Samyutta (With Vangisa)
      • Chapter 9 Vana-Samyutta (In the woods)
      • Chapter 10 Yakkha- Samyutta (With Yakkhas)
      • Chapter 11 Sakka-Samyutta (with Sakka)
    • Part II The Book of Causation (Nidana Vaggasamyutta) >
      • Chapter 1 Nidana Samyutta (On Causation)
      • Chapter 2 Abhisamaya-Samyutta (On the Breakthrough )
      • Chapter 3 Dhatu Samyutta (On Elements)
      • Chapter 4 Anamatagga Samyutta (On Without Discoverable Beginning​)
      • Chapter 5 Kassapa Samyutta (With Kassapa)
      • Chapter 6 Labhasakkara Samyutta (On Gains and Honor)
      • Chapter 7 Rahula-Samyutta
      • Chapter 8 Lakkhana-Samyutta (With Lakkhana)
      • ​Chapter 9 Opamma- Samyutta (With Similes)
      • Chapter 10 Bhikkhu-Samyutta (With Bhikkhus)
    • Part III The book of aggregates (Khandhavagga) >
      • Chapter 1 Khanda Samyutta (On the aggregates)
      • Chapter 2 Radha Samyutta (With Radha)
      • Chapter 3 Ditthi Samyutta (On Views)
      • Chapter 4 Okkanti Samyutta (On Entering)
      • Chapter 5 Uppada Samyutta (On Arising)
      • Chapter 6 Kilesa Samyutta (On Defilements)
      • Chapter 7 Sariputta Samyutta (With Sariputta)
      • Chapter 8 Naga Samyutta (On Nagas)
      • Chapter 9 Supanna Samyutta (On Supannas)
      • Chapter 10 Ghandhabba Samyutta (On Ghandhabbas)
      • Chapter 11 Valahaka Samyutta (On Cloud Devas)
      • Chapter 12 Vacchagotta Samyutta (With Vacchagotta)​
      • Chapter 13 Jhana Samyutta (On Meditation)
    • Part IV The Book of Six Sense Bases (Salayatanavagga) >
      • Chapter 1 Salayatana Samyutta (On Six Sense Bases)
      • Chapter 2 Vedana Samyutta
      • Chapter 3 Matugama Samyutta (On Women)
      • Chapter 4 Jambukhādaka Saṃyutta (With Jambukhadaka)
      • Chapter 5 Samandaka Samyutta (With Samandaka)
      • Chapter 6 Moggallana Samyutta (With Moggallana)
      • Chapter 7 Citta Samyutta (With Citta)
      • Chapter 8 Gamani Samyutta (To Headmen)
      • Chapter 9 Asankhata Samyutta: On the unconditioned
      • Chapter 10 Abyakata Samyutta (On the undeclared)
    • Part V The Great Book (Maha Vaggasamyutta) >
      • Chapter 1 Magga Samyutta (On the path)
      • Chapter 2 Bojjhanga Samyutta (On the factors of enlightenment)
      • Chapter 3 Satipatthana Samyutta (Establishments of Mindfulness)
      • Chapter 4 Indriya Samyutta (On the Faculties)
      • Chapter 5 Sammappadhana Samyutta (On the Right Strivings)
      • Chapter 6 Bala Samyutta (On the Powers)
      • Chapter 7 Iddhipada Samyutta (On the bases for Spiritual power)
      • Chapter 8 Anuruddha Samyutta (With Anuruddha)
      • Chapter 9 Jhana Samyutta (On the Jhanas)
      • Chapter 10 Anapana Samyutta (On Breathing)
      • Chapter 11 Sotapatti Samyutta (On Stream Entry)
      • Chapter 12 Sacca Samyutta (On the truths)
  • Anguttara Nikaya (Numerical discourse)
    • The Book of the Ones (Ekakanipāta) >
      • I Obsession of the mind. II Abandoning the hindrances, ​III Unwieldy & IV Untamed
      • V A Spike VI Luminous VII Arousal of Energy, VIII Good Friendship, IX Heedlessness & X Internal
      • XI Non-Dhamma, XII Not an offense, XIII One Person, ​XIV Foremost XV Impossible & XVI One thing
      • XVII Qualities Engendering confidence, XVIII Finger Snap, XIX Mindfulness directed to the body & XX The Deathless
    • The Book Of Twos (Dukanipata) >
      • I Entering upon the rains, II Disciplinary Issues, III Fools, IV Same-Minded & V Assembles
      • VI People, VII Happiness, VIII With a basis,IX Dhamma, X Fools & XI Desires
      • XII Aspiring XIII Gifts XIV Munificence
      • ​XV Meditative Attainment, XVI Anger , XVII Unwholesome repetition series, ​​XVIII Discipline Repetition Series, XIX Lust and so forth repetition series
    • The Book of Threes (Tikanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
    • The Book of Fours (Catukkanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
      • Fourth Fifty
      • Fifth Fifty
    • The Book of Fives (Pancakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
      • Fourth Fifty
      • Fifth Fifty
      • Sixth Fifty
    • The Book of Sixes (Chakkanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of Sevens (Sattakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of Eights ( Atthakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of The Nines (Navakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of Tens (Dasakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
      • Fourth Fifty
      • An Extra Fifty
    • The Book of Elevens (Ekadasakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
  • Khuddaka Nikāya
  • Dhammapada
    • Dhammapada Chapter 1 verse 1-20 (The twins)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 2 Verse 21-32 (Heedfulness)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 3 Verse 33-43 (Mind)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 4 Verse 44-59 (Flowers)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 5 Verse 60-75 (Fools)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 6 Verse 76-89 The Wise
    • Dhammapada Chapter 7 Verse 90- 99 The Arahant
    • Dhammapada Chapter 8 Verse 100-115 The thousands
    • Dhammapada Chapter 9 Verse 116-128 Evil
    • Dhammapada Chapter 10 Verse 129-145 Punishment
    • Dhammapada Chapter 11 Verse 146-156 Old age
    • Dhammpada Chapter 12 Verse 157-166: Self
    • Dhammapada Chapter 13 Verse 167-178 World
    • Dhammapada Chapter 14 Verse 179-196: The Buddha
    • Dhammapada Chapter 15 Verse 197-208: Happiness
    • Dhammapada Chapter 16 Verse 209-220: Affection
    • Dhammapada Chapter 17 Verse 221-234 : Anger
    • Dhammapada Chapter 18 Verse 235-255: Impurities
    • Dhammapada Chapter 19 Established Verse 256-272
    • Dhammapada Chapter 20 Verse 273-289 : The Path
    • Dhammapada Chapter 21 Verse 290-305: Miscellaneous
    • Dhammapada Chapter 22 Verse 306-319: Hell
    • Dhammapada Chapter 23 Verse 320-333: The Great
    • Dhammapada Chapter 24 Craving Verse 334-359
    • Dhammapada Chapter 25 The Monk Verse 360-382
    • Dhammapada Chapter 26 Brahmana Verse 383-423
  • Vinaya Pitaka
  • Abhidhamma
  • Great Disciples of the Buddha
    • Chief disciple Ven Sariputta
    • Chief disciple Ven Moggallana
    • Mahakassapa
    • Ananda
    • Anuruddha
    • Mahakaccana
    • Bhikkhuni Mahapajapati Gotami
    • Visakha and other Bhikkhunis
    • Aṅgulimāla
    • Anāthapiṇḍika
    • Shorter lives of the disciples
  • Ordination Procedure (Upasampadàvidhã )
    • Chapter 1 Upasampada
    • Chapter 2 The Vinaya
    • Chapter 3 Ordination Procedure
    • Chapter 4 Admonition Anusasana
    • Chapter 5 Preliminary Duties for a New Bhikkhu
    • Chapter 6 Daily chanting
    • Appendices
  • THE DHAMMA WAY
    • Why should we practise Mettā?
    • How to make Merits?
    • Do you cultivate the Four Divine Abodes?
    • Q&A on Buddhist’s Misconceptions
    • Will Buddhism disappear from the world?
    • Have you seen Relics?
    • Are there karmically genetic diseases?
    • What is the Buddhist approach to crime and punishment?
    • Let’s practise ‘Paccavekkhana’
  • Patipadā Venerable Ãcariya Mun’s Path of Practice
    • Chapter 1 Kammatthåna
    • Chapter 2 Training the Mind
    • Chapter 3 The White-robed Upåsaka
    • Chapter 4 More About Training & Venerable Ajaan Mun’s Talk
    • Chapter 5 Stories of Bhikkhus Who Practise
    • Chapter 6 The Ascetic Practices (Dhutangas)
    • Chapter 7 The Story of Venerable Ajaan Chob
    • Chapter 8 Bhikkhus of the “Modern Kind”
    • Chapter 9 About Beings in the Realm of Ghosts
    • Chapter 10 The Practice of the Dhutangas
    • Chapter 11 The Nature of Greed & Fighting Pain and Kilesas
    • Chapter 12 A Short Biography of Venerable Ajaan Khao
    • Chapter 13 Methods of Bhåvanå
    • Chapter 14 The Importance of Mindfulness
    • Chapter 15 The Kammatthåna Bhikkhus’ Ways of Behaviour
    • Chapter 16 The Customs of Kammatthåna Bhikkhus
    • Chapter 17 How Questions Differ in Samådhi & Paññå
    • Chapter 18 More on Behaviour & Dhamma Discussions
    • Chapter 19 The Story of Venerable Ajaan Brom
    • Chapter 20 Venerable Ajaan Mun’s Practice & His Methods of Teaching
  • Venerable Ãcariya Mun Bhýridatta Thera — A Spiritual Biography —
    • The Early Years
    • The Middle Years
    • A Heart Released
    • The Chiang Mai Years
    • Unusual Questions, Enlightening Answers
    • The Final Years
    • The Legacy
    • Appendix I
    • Appendix II
  • Things as they are
    • Introduction
    • From Ignorance to Emptiness
    • The Tracks of the Ox
    • The path of strength
    • The Savor of the Dhamma
    • The Middleness of the Middle Way
    • The Simile of the Horse
    • Principles in the Practice, Principles in the Heart
    • The Four Frames of Reference
    • The Work of a Contemplative
    • The Fangs of Ignorance
    • The Outer Space of Mind
    • To Be an Inner Millionaire
    • Every Grain of Sand
  • Arahattamagga Arahattaphala (The Path to Arahantship)
    • ARAHATTAMAGGA (The direct route to the end of all suffering)
    • ARAHATTAPHALA
    • ARAHATTAPATTA
    • APPENDIX
  • Forest Dhamma
    • Introduction
    • Wisdom Develops Samadhi
    • Samadhi I
    • Samadhi 2
    • Samadhi 3
    • Wisdom
    • The Funeral Desana
    • Dhamma Talk 1
    • The development of meditation
  • Paritta Chants
  • Dhamma Ebooks links
  • Autobiographies of Ajahns
  • Blog

Chapter 17 ​The Four Noble Truths

​“Light arose in me in things not heard before.” – Dhammacakka Sutta

Truth (Sacca) is that which is. Its Samskrit equivalent is Satya which means an incontrovertible fact. According to Buddhism there are four such Truths pertaining to this so-called being.

In the Rohitassa Sutta the Buddha states: “In this very one-fathom long body along with its perceptions and thoughts, do I proclaim the world, the origin of the world, the cessation of the world, and the path leading to the cessation of the world.”
In this particular context the term “world” (loka) implies suffering. 

This interesting passage refers to the four Noble Truths
which the Buddha Himself discovered by His own intuitive knowledge. Whether the Buddhas arise or not these Truths
exist, and it is a Buddha that reveals them to the deluded world. They do not and cannot change with time because they
are eternal Truths. The Buddha was not indebted to anyone for His realization of them. He Himself said: “They were unheard before.”

These Truths are in Pāli termed ariyasaccāni. They are so called because they were discovered by the Greatest Ariya, the 
​Buddha, who was far removed from passion.

The first Truth deals with dukkha, which for need of a better English equivalent, is rendered by suffering or sorrow. As
a feeling dukkha means that which is difficult to be endured (du – difficult, kha – to endure). As an abstract truth dukkha
is used in the sense of “contemptible” (du) and “emptiness” (kha). The world rests on suffering hence it is contemptible.
The world is devoid of any reality – hence it is empty or void.

Dukkha, therefore, means contemptible void. Average men are only surface-seers. An Ariya sees things as they truly are. To an Ariya all life is suffering and he finds no real happiness in this world which deceives mankind with illusory pleasures. Material happiness is merely the gratification of some desire. “No sooner is the desired thing gained than it begins to be scorned.” Insatiate are all desires. All are subject to birth (jāti), and consequently to decay (jarā), disease (vyādhi), and finally to death (marana). No one is exempt from these four inevitable causes of suffering.

Impeded wish is also suffering. We do not wish to be associated with things or persons we detest, nor do we wish to be
separated from things or persons we love. Our cherished desires are not, however, always gratified. What we least expect
or what we least desire is often thrust on us. At times such unexpected unpleasant circumstances become so intolerable and painful that weak ignorant folk are compelled to commit suicide as if such an act would solve the problem.
​
Real happiness is found within, and is not to be defined in terms of wealth, power, honours or conquests. If such
worldly possessions are forcibly or unjustly obtained, or are misdirected, or even viewed with attachment, they will be a
source of pain and sorrow for the possessors.
​Ordinarily the enjoyment of sensual pleasures is the highest and only happiness to an average person. There is no doubt a momentary happiness in the anticipation, gratification, and recollection of such fleeting material pleasures, but they are illusory and temporary. According to the Buddha nonattachment (virāgatā) or the transcending of material pleasures
is a greater bliss.

In brief, this composite body itself is a cause of suffering. This First Truth of suffering which depends on this so called
being and various aspects of life, is to be carefully analysed and examined. This examination leads to a proper understanding of oneself as one really is.

The cause of this suffering is craving or attachment (tanhā) which is the Second Noble Truth. The Dhammapada states:
“From craving springs grief, from craving springs fear, For him who is wholly free from craving, there is no grief,
much less fear.” (V. 216)

This craving is a powerful mental force latent in all, and is the chief cause of most of the ills of life. It is this craving, gross
or subtle, that leads to repeated births in Samsāra and makes one cling to all forms of life.


The grossest forms of craving are attenuated on attaining Sakadāgāmi, the second stage of Sainthood, and are eradicated
on attaining Anāgāmi, the third stage of Sainthood. The subtle forms of craving are eradicated on attaining Arahantship.
Both suffering and craving can only be eradicated by following the Middle Way, enunciated by the Buddha Himself,
and attaining the supreme Bliss of Nibbāna.
​
The Third Noble Truth is the complete cessation of suffering which is Nibbāna, the ultimate Goal of Buddhists. It is
achieved by the total eradication of all forms of craving. This Nibbāna is to be comprehended by the mental eye by
renouncing all internal attachment to the external world. This Truth has to be realized by developing the Noble
Eightfold Path which is the Fourth Noble Truth.

This unique path is the only straight route that leads to Nibbāna. It avoids the extreme of self-mortification that weakens one’s intellect and the extreme of self-indulgence that retards one’s moral progress.

It consists of the following eight factors.:
1) Right Understanding (Sammā Ditthi),
2) Right Thoughts (Sammā Samkappa),
3) Right Speech (Sammā Vācā),
4) Right Action (Sammā Kammanta),
5) Right Livelihood (Sammā Ājīva),
6) Right Effort (Sammā Vāyāma),
7) Right Mindfulness (Sammā Sati), and
8) Right Concentration (Sammā Samādhi),

1. Right Understanding is explained as the knowledge of the four Noble Truths. In other words, it is the understanding
of oneself as one really is, because, as the Rohitassa Sutta states, these truths are concerned with the “one-fathom long
body of man.” The key-note of Buddhism is this right understanding.


2 Clear vision or right understanding leads to clear thinking. The second factor of the noble Eightfold Path is,
therefore, Sammā Samkappa. The English renderings – “Right Resolutions”, “Right Aspirations” – do not convey the actual 
meaning of the Pāli term. Right Ideas or Right Mindfulness comes closer to the meaning. “Right Thoughts” may be suggested as the nearest English equivalent.

By Samkappa is meant the “Vitakka” mental state, which, for want of a better rendering, may be called “initial application.” This important mental state eliminates wrong ideas or notions and helps the other moral adjuncts to be diverted to Nibbāna.

It is one’s thoughts that either defile or purify a person. One’s thoughts mould one’s nature and controls one’s destiny.
Evil thoughts tend to debase one just as good thoughts tend to elevate one. Sometimes a single thought can either destroy
or save a world.

Sammā Samkappa serves the double purpose of eliminating evil thoughts and developing pure thoughts.

Right Thoughts, in this particular connection, are threefold.
They consist of:
i. Nekkhamma – Renunciation of worldly pleasures or selflessness which is opposed to attachment, selfishness,
and self-possessiveness. 
ii. Avyāpāda – Loving-kindness, goodwill, or benevolence, which is opposed to hatred, ill-will, or aversion, and 
iii. Avihimsā – Harmlessness or compassion, which is opposed to cruelty and callousness.
​
These evil and good forces are latent in all. As long as we are worldlings these evil forces rise to the surface at unexpected
moments in disconcerting strength. When once they are totally eradicated on attaining Arahantship, one’s stream of consciousness gets perfectly purified.​
Attachment and hatred, coupled with ignorance, are the chief causes of all evil prevalent in this deluded world. “The
enemy of the whole world is lust, through which all evils come to living beings. This lust when obstructed by some cause is
transformed into wrath.”

One is either attached to desirable external objects or is repulsed with aversion in the case of undesirable objects. Through attachment one clings to material pleasures and tries to gratify one’s desire by some means or other. Through aversion
one recoils from undesirable objects and even goes to the extent of destroying them as their very presence is a source of
irritation. With the giving up of egoism by one’s own intuitive insight, both attachment and hatred automatically disappear.

The Dhammapada states: “There is no fire like lust, no grip like hate, There is no net like delusion, no river like craving.” (v. 251) 

​i. As one ascends the spiritual ladder one renounces by degrees both gross and subtle attachment to material pleasures

like grown-up children giving up their petty toys. Being children, they cannot be expected to possess an adult’s understanding, and they cannot be convinced of the worthlessness of their temporary pleasures.
​
With maturity they begin to understand things as they truly are and they voluntarily give up their toys. As the spiritual pilgrim proceeds on the upward path by his constant meditation and reflection, he perceives the futility of pursuing base material pleasures and the resultant happiness in forsaking them. He cultivates non-attachment to the fullest degree. “Happy is non-attachment in this world, so is the transcending of all sensual pleasures,” is one of the early utterances of the Buddha.
​ii. The other most rebellious passion is anger, aversion, ill will, or hatred, all of which are implied by the Pāli term vyāpāda. It consumes the person in whom it springs and consumes others as well. The Pāli term avyāpāda, literally, nonenmity,
corresponds to that most beautiful virtue Mettā (Samskrit Maitri) which means loving-kindness or goodwill towards
all without any distinction. He whose mind is full of loving-kindness can harbour no hatred towards any. Like a mother who makes no difference between herself and her only child and protects it even at the risk of her own life, even so
does the spiritual pilgrim who follows this middle path radiate his thoughts of loving-kindness identifying himself with
all. Buddhist Mettā embraces all living beings, animals not excluded.


iii. Avihimsā or Karunā – Harmlessness or compassion is the third and the last member of samkappa. Karunā is that sweet virtue which makes the tender hearts of the noble quiver at the sufferings of others. Like Buddhist Mettā, Buddhist Karunā too is limitless. It is not restricted only to co-religionists or co-nationals or to human beings alone.

Limited compassion is not true karunā. A compassionate one is as soft as a flower. He cannot bear the sufferings of others. He might at times even go to the extent of sacrificing his own life to alleviate the sufferings of others. In every Jātaka story it is evident that the Bodhisatta endeavoured his best to help the distressed and the forlorn and to promote their happiness in every possible way.

Karunā has the characteristics of a loving mother whose thoughts, words, and deeds always tend to relieve the distress
of her sick child. It has the property of not being able to tolerate the sufferings of others. Its manifestation is perfect non 
violence and harmlessness – that is, a compassionate person appears to be absolutely non-violent and harmless. The sight
of the helpless states of the distressed is the proximate cause for the practice of Karunā.

The consummation of karunā is the eradication of all forms of cruelty. The direct enemy of karunā is cruelty and the indirect enemy is homely grief.  Buddhist mettā appeals to both the rich and the poor, for Buddhism teaches its followers to elevate the lowly, help the poor, the needy, and the forlorn, tend the sick, comfort the bereaved, pity the wicked, and enlighten the ignorant.

Compassion forms a fundamental principle of both Buddhist laymen and Bhikkhus.

Speaking of Buddhist harmlessness, Aldous Huxley writes: “Indian pacifism finds its complete expression in the teaching
of the Buddha. Buddhism teaches ahimsā or harmlessness towards all beings. It forbids even laymen to have anything to do with the manufacture and sale of arms, with the making of poison and intoxicants, with soldiering or the slaughtering of animals.”

The Buddha advises His disciples thus: “Wherefore, O Bhikkhus, however men may speak concerning you, whether in season or out of season, whether appropriately or inappropriately, whether courteously or rudely, whether wisely or foolishly, whether kindly or maliciously, thus, O Bhikkhus, must you train yourselves – Unsullied shall our minds remain, neither shall evil words escape our lips. Kind and compassionate ever shall we abide with hearts harbouring no ill-will. And we shall enfold those very persons with streams of loving thoughts unfailing, and forth from them proceeding we shall radiate the whole wide world with constant thoughts of loving kindness, ample, expanding, measureless, free from enmity,
free from ill-will. Thus must you train yourselves.”

He whose mind is free from selfish desires, hatred and cruelty, and is saturated with the spirit of selflessness, loving-kindness and harmlessness, lives in perfect peace. He is indeed a blessing to himself and others.

3. Right Thoughts lead to Right Speech, the third factor. It deals with refraining from falsehood, slandering, harsh words,
and frivolous talk. He who tries to eradicate selfish desires cannot indulge in uttering falsehood or in slandering for any selfish end or purpose. He is truthful and trustworthy and ever seeks the good and beautiful in others instead of deceiving, defaming, denouncing or disuniting his own fellow beings. A harmless mind that generates loving-kindness cannot give vent to harsh speech which first debases the speaker and then hurts another. What he utters is not only true, sweet and pleasant but also useful, fruitful and beneficial.

4. Right Speech follows Right Action which deals with abstinence from killing, stealing and sexual misconduct. These three evil deeds are caused by craving and anger, coupled with ignorance. With the gradual elimination of these causes from the mind of the spiritual pilgrim, blameworthy tendencies arising therefrom will find no expression. Under no pretense would he kill or steal. Being pure in mind, he would lead a pure life.

5. Purifying thoughts, words and deeds at the outset, the spiritual pilgrim tries to purify his livelihood (Right Livelihood)
by refraining from the five kinds of trade which are for bidden to a lay-disciple. They are trading in arms (satthavanijjā),
human beings (sattavanijjā), flesh (mamsavanijjā), i.e. breeding animals for slaughter, intoxicating drinks (majjavanijjā), and poison (visavanijjā)Hypocritical conduct is cited as wrong livelihood for monks.

Strictly speaking, from an Abhidhamma standpoint, by right speech, right action and right livelihood are meant three
abstinences (virati) but not the three opposite virtues.
​6. Right Effort is fourfold-namely:
i. The endeavour to discard evil that has already arisen,
ii. The endeavour to prevent the arising of unarisen evil,
iii. The endeavour to develop unarisen good, and
iv. The endeavour to promote the good which has already
arisen.

Right Effort plays a very important part in the Noble Eightfold Path. It is by one’s own effort that one’s deliverance is obtained and not by merely seeking refuge in others or by offering prayers. 

In man are found a rubbish-heap of evil and a store-house of virtue. By effort one removes this rubbish-heap and cultivates
these latent virtues.

7. Right Effort is closely associated with Right Mindfulness. 
It is the constant mindfulness with regard to body (kāyānupassanā), feelings (vedanānupassanā), thoughts  (cittānupassanā), and mind objects (dhammānupassanā). Mindfulness on these four objects tend to eradicate the
misconceptions with regard to desirability (subha), so-called happiness (sukha), permanence (nicca), and an immortal soul
(attā) respectively.
​2 Right Effort and Right Mindfulness lead to Right Concentration. It is the one-pointedness of the mind.
A concentrated mind acts as a powerful aid to see things as they truly are by means of penetrative insight.
Of these eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path the first two are grouped in wisdom (paññā), the second three in morality
(sīla) and the last three in concentration (samādhi).

Sīla
Right Speech
Right Action
Right Livelihood
Samādhi
Right Effort
Right Mindfulness
Right Concentration
Paññā
Right Understanding
Right Thoughts

According to the order of development sīla, samādhi, and paññā are the three stages of the Path.

Strictly speaking, from an ultimate standpoint, these factors that comprise the Noble Eightfold Path signify eight mental
properties (cetasika) collectively found in the four classes of supramundane consciousness (lokutttara citta) whose object is
Nibbāna. 

They are:— paññindriya (faculty of wisdom), vitakka (initial application), virati (three abstinences,) viriya (energy), sati
(mindfulness) and ekaggata (one-pointedness) respectively. All these factors denote the mental attitude of the aspirant
who is striving to gain his Deliverance.
​​​Reference: 
The Buddha and His Teachings by Venerable Nārada Mahāthera
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  • The Buddha and His Teachings
    • Chapter 1 The Buddha
    • Chapter 2 His struggle for enlightenment
    • Chapter 3 The buddhahood
    • Chapter 4 After The Enlightenment
    • Chapter 5 The invitation to expound the dhamma
    • Chapter 6 Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta
    • Chapter 7 The Teaching of the Dhamma
    • Chapter 8 The Buddha and his relatives
    • Chapter 9 The Buddha and his relatives
    • Chapter 10 The Buddha's chief opponents and supporters
    • Chapter 11 The Buddha's Royal Patrons
    • Chapter 12 The Buddha's Ministry
    • Chapter 13 The Buddha's daily routine
    • Chapter 14 The Buddha’s Parinibbāna (Death)
    • Chapter 15 What is Buddhism
    • Chapter 16 Some Salient Characteristics of Buddhism
    • Chapter 17 The Four Noble Truths
    • Chapter 18 Kamma
    • Chapter 19 What is kamma?
    • Chapter 20 The Working of Kamma
    • Chapter 21 Nature of kamma
    • Chapter 22 What is the Origin of Life?
    • Chapter 23 The Buddha on the so-called Creator
    • Chapter 24 Reasons to Believe in Rebirth
    • Chapter 25 The Wheel of Life – Paticca-Samuppāda
    • Chapter 26 Modes of Birth and Death
    • Chapter 27 Planes of Existence
    • Chapter 28 How Rebirth takes place
    • Chapter 29 What is it that is Reborn? (No-soul)
    • Chapter 30 Moral Responsibility
    • Chapter 31 Kammic Descent and Kammic Ascent
    • Chapter 32 A Note on the Doctrine of Kamma & Rebirth in the West
    • Chapter 33 Nibbāna
    • Chapter 34 Characteristics of Nibbāna
    • Chapter 35 The Way to Nibbāna (I)
    • Chapter 36 The Way to Nibbāna (II) Meditation
    • Chapter 37: Nīvarana or Hindrances
    • Chapter 38 The Way to Nibbāna (III)
    • Chapter 39 The State of an Arahant
    • Chapter 40 The Bodhisatta Ideal
    • Chapter 41 Pāramī – Perfections
    • Chapter 42 Brahmavihāra – The Sublime States
    • Chapter 43 Eight Worldly Conditions
    • Chapter 44 The Problems of Life
  • History of Buddhism
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    • The qualities of Buddha that promote the spread of Buddhism
    • Spread of Buddhism in India & Buddha Early Disciples
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    • The Evolution of Sangha
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  • Basic Buddhism Doctrine
    • 3 characteristics of existence
    • 3 evil roots
    • First noble truth
    • Four sublime abodes (Cattaro Brahma Vihara)
    • 4 Noble Truths
    • Noble Eightfold Path
    • 5 Aggregates
    • 5 Jhana Factors
    • 5 precepts and buddhist ethics
    • 10 Meritorious Deeds
    • Buddhist Ethics
    • Classification of Kamma
    • Death, Kamma and Rebirth
    • Kamma differentiates beings (Cula Kamma Vibhanga Sutta)
    • Cravings
    • Dasa-rājādhamma / 10 Royal Virtues
    • Dependent origination (Paticca Samuppada)
    • Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta (First discourse)
    • Feelings
    • Hiri and Ottappa
    • Metta (Loving kindness)
    • Mindfulness
  • Digha Nikaya (Long Discourse)
    • DN 1 Brahmajala Sutta
    • DN 2 Samannaphala Sutta (The Fruits of the homeless life)
    • DN 3 Ambattha Sutta
    • DN 4 Sonadanda Sutta
    • DN 5 Kuttadanta Sutta
    • DN 6 Mahali Sutta
    • DN 7 Jaliya Sutta
    • DN 8 Mahasihanada Sutta: The Great Lion's Roar
    • DN 9 : Potthapada Sutta
    • DN 10 Subha Sutta: Morality, concentration and wisdom
    • DN 11 Kevaddha Sutta: What Brahma didn't know
    • DN 12 Lohicca Sutta : Good and Bad teachers
    • DN 13 Tevijja Sutta : The threefold knowledge (The Way to Brahma)
    • DN 14 Mahapadana Sutta: : The Great Discourse on the Lineage
    • DN 15 Mahanidana Sutta: The Great discourse on Origination
    • DN 16 Maha-parinibbana Sutta
    • DN 17 Mahasudassana Sutta: The Great Splendor, A King's Renunciation
    • DN 18: Janavasabha sutta: Brahma addresses the gods
    • DN 19 Mahagovinda Sutta: The Great Steward
    • Dn 20 Mahisamaya Sutta: The Mighty Gathering Devas Come to See the Buddha
    • Dn 21 Sakkapanha Sutta: Sakka's questions
    • DN 22 Mahasatipatthana Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness
    • DN 23: Payasi Sutta; Debate with a sceptic
    • DN 24: Patika suta: About Patikaputta The Charlatan
    • DN 25: Udumbarika-Sihanada Sutta: The Great Lion's Roar to the Udumbarikans
    • DN 26 Cakkavatti-Sihanada Sutta : The Lion's roar on the turning of the wheel
    • DN27 Aggañña Sutta: On Knowledge of Beginnings
    • DN 28 Sampasadaniya Sutta: Serene Faith
    • Dn 29 Pasadika Sutta: The Delightful Discourse
    • DN 30 Lakkhana Sutta: The Marks of a Great Man
    • DN 31. Sigalovada Sutta Advice to the lay people
    • DN 32 Atanatiya Sutta (The Atanata protective verses)
    • DN 33 Sangiti Sutta: The Chanting Together
    • Dn 34: Dasuttara Sutta: Expanding Decades
  • Majjhima Nikaya (Middle length discourse)
    • MN 1 Mulapariyaya Sutta (The Root of All Things)
    • MN 2 Sabbasava Sutta
    • MN 3 Dhammadayada Sutta (Heirs in Dhamma)
    • MN 4 Bhayabherava Sutta (Fear and Dread)
    • MN 5 Anangana Sutta (Without Blemishes)
    • MN 6 Akankheyya Sutta (If a Bhikkhu Should Wish)
    • MN 7 Vatthupama Sutta (The Simile of the Cloth)
    • MN 8 Sallekha Sutta (Effacement)
    • MN 9: Sammaditthi Sutta (Right View)
    • MN 10 Satipatthana Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness
    • MN 11 Culasihanada Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Lion's Roar
    • MN 12 Mahasihanada Sutta :The Greater Discourse on the Lion's Roar
    • MN 13 Mahadukkhakkhandha Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Mass of Suffering
    • MN 14 Culadukkhakkhandha Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Mass of Suffering
    • MN 15 Anumana Sutta: Inference
    • MN 16 Cetokhila Sutta: The Wilderness in the Heart
    • MN 17 Vanapattha Sutta: Jungle Thickets
    • MN 18 Madhupindika Sutta: The Honeyball
    • MN 19 Dvedhavitakka Sutta: Two Kinds of Thought
    • MN 20 Vitakkasanthana Sutta : The Removal of Distracting Thoughts
    • MN 21 Kakacupama Sutta: The Simile of the Saw
    • MN 22 Alagaddupama Sutta: The Simile of the Snake
    • MN 23 Vammika Sutta: The Ant-hill
    • MN 24 Rathavinita Sutta: The Relay Chariots
    • MN 25 Nivapa Sutta: The Bait
    • MN 26 Ariyapariyesana Sutta: The Noble Search
    • MN 27 Culahatthipadopama Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant's Footprint
    • MN 28 Mahahatthipadopama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant's Footprint
    • MN 29 Mahasaropama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood
    • MN 30 Culasaropama Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood
    • MN 31 Culagosinga sutta: The shorter discourse in Gosinga
    • MN 32 Mahagosinga Sutta: The Greater Discourse in Gosinga
    • MN 33 Mahagopalaka Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Cowherd
    • MN 34 Culagopalaka Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Cowherd
    • MN 35 Culasaccaka Sutta: The Shorter Discourse to Saccaka
    • MN 36 Mahasaccaka Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Saccaka
    • MN 37 Culatanhasankhaya Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Destruction of Craving
    • MN 38 Mahatanhasankhaya Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Destruction of Craving
    • MN 39 Maha-Assapura Sutta: The Greater Discourse at Assapura
    • MN 40 Cula-Assapura Sutta: The Shorter Discourse at Assapura
    • MN 41 Saleyyaka Sutta: The Brahmins of Sala
    • MN 42 Veranjaka Sutta: The Brahmins of Veranja
    • MN 43 Mahavedalla Sutta: The Greater Series of Questions and Answers
    • MN 44 Culavedalla Sutta: The Shorter Series of Questions and Answers
    • MN 45 Culadhammasamadana Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on Ways of Undertaking Things
    • MN 46 Mahadhammasamadana Sutta: The Greater Discourse on Ways of Undertaking Things
    • MN 47 Vimamsaka Sutta: The Inquirer
    • MN 48 Kosambiya Sutta: The Kosambians
    • MN 49 Brahmanimantanika Sutta: The Invitation of a Brahma
    • MN 50 Maratajjaniya Sutta: The Rebuke to Mara
    • MN 51 Kandaraka Sutta: To Kandaraka
    • MN 52 Atthakanagara Sutta: The Man from Atthakanagara
    • MN 53 Sekha Sutta: The Disciple in Higher Training
    • MN 54 Potaliya Sutta: To Potaliya
    • MN 55 Jivaka Sutta: To Jivaka
    • MN 56 Upali Sutta: To Upali
    • MN 57 Kukkuravatika Sutta: The Dog-duty Ascetic
    • MN 58 Abhayarajakumara Sutta: To Prince Abhaya
    • MN 59 Bahuvedaniya Sutta: The Many Kinds of Feeling
    • MN 60 Apannaka Sutta: The Incontrovertible Teaching
    • MN 61 Ambalatthikarahulovada Sutta: Advice to Rahula at Ambalatthika
    • MN 62 Maharahulovada Sutta: The Greater Discourse of Advice to Rahula
    • MN 63 Culamalunkya Sutta: The Shorter Discourse to Malunkyaputta
    • MN 64 Mahamalunkya Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Malunkyaputta
    • MN 65 Bhaddali Sutta: To Bhaddali
    • MN 66 Latukikopama Sutta: The Simile of the Quail
    • MN 67 Catuma Sutta: At Catuma
    • MN 68 Nalakapana Sutta: At Nalakapana
    • MN 69 Gulissani Sutta: Gulissani
    • MN 70 Kitagiri Sutta: At Kitagiri
    • MN 71 Tevijjavacchagotta Sutta: To Vacchagotta on the Threefold True Knowledge
    • MN 72 Aggivacchagotta Sutta: To Vacchagotta on Fire
    • MN 73 Mahavacchagotta Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Vacchagotta
    • MN 74 Dighanakha Sutta: To Dighanakha
    • MN 75 Magandiya Sutta: To Magandiya
    • MN 76 Sandaka Sutta: To Sandaka
    • MN 77 Mahasakuludayi Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Sakuludayin
    • MN 78 Samanamandika Sutta: Samanamandikaputta
    • MN 79 Culasakuludayi Sutta: The Shorter Discourse to Sakuludayin
    • MN 80 Vekhanassa Sutta: To Vekhanassa
    • MN 81 Ghatikara Sutta: Ghatikara the Potter
    • MN 82 Ratthapala Sutta: On Ratthapala
    • MN 83 Makhadeva Sutta: King Makhadeva
    • MN 84 Madhura Sutta: At Madhura
    • MN 85 Bodhirajakumara Sutta: To Prince Bodhi
    • MN 86 Angulimala Sutta: On Angulimala
    • MN 87 Piyajatika Sutta: Born from Those Who Are Dear
    • MN 88 Bahitika Sutta: The Cloak
    • MN 89 Dhammacetiya Sutta: Monuments to the Dhamma
    • MN 90 Kannakatthala Sutta: At Kannakatthala
    • MN 91 Brahmayu Sutta: Brahmayu
    • MN 92 Sela Sutta: To Sela
    • MN 93 Assalayana Sutta: To Assalayana
    • MN 94 Ghotamukha Sutta: To Ghotamukha
    • MN 95 Canki Sutta: With Canki
    • MN 96 Esukari Sutta: To Esukari
    • MN 97 Dhananjani Sutta: To Dhananjani
    • MN 98 Vasettha Sutta: To Vasettha
    • MN 99 Subha Sutta: To Subha
    • MN 100 Sangarava Sutta: To Sangarava
    • MN 101 Devadaha Sutta: At Devadaha
    • MN 102 Pancattaya Sutta: The Five and Three
    • MN 103 Kinti Sutta: What Do You Think About Me?
    • MN 104 Samagama Sutta: At Samagama
    • MN 105 Sunakkhatta Sutta: To Sunakkhatta
    • MN 106 Anenjasappaya Sutta: The Way to the Imperturbable
    • MN 107 Ganakamoggallana Sutta: To Ganaka Moggallana
    • MN 108 Gopakamoggallana Sutta: With Gopaka Moggallana
    • MN 109 Mahapunnama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Full-moon Night
    • MN 110 Culapunnama Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Full-moon Night
    • MN 111 Anupada Sutta: One by One As They Occurred
    • MN 112 Chabbisodhana Sutta: The Sixfold Purity
    • MN 113 Sappurisa Sutta: The True Man
    • MN 114 Sevitabbasevitabba Sutta: To Be Cultivated and Not To Be Cultivated
    • MN 115 Bahudhatuka Sutta: The Many Kinds of Elements
    • MN 116 Isigili Sutta- Isigili: The Gullet of the Seers
    • MN 117 Mahacattansaka Sutta: The Great Forty
    • MN 118 Anapanasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing
    • MN 119 Kayagatasati Sutta: Mindfulness of the Body
    • MN 120 Sankharupapatti Sutta: Reappearance by Aspiration
    • MN 121 Culasunnata Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on Voidness
    • MN 122 Mahasunnata Sutta: The Greater Discourse on Voidness
    • MN 123 Acchariya-abbhuta Sutta: Wonderful and Marvellous
    • MN 124 Bakkula Sutta: Bakkula
    • MN 125 Dantabhumi Sutta: The Grade of the Tamed
    • MN 126 Bhumija Sutta: Bhumija
    • MN 127 Anuruddha Sutta: Anuruddha
    • MN 128 Upakkilesa Sutta: Imperfections
    • MN 129 Balapandita Sutta: Fools and Wise Men
    • MN 130 Devaduta Sutta: The Divine Messengers
    • MN 131 Bhaddekaratta Sutta: One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 132 Anandabhaddekaratta Sutta: Ananda and One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 133 Mahakaccanabhaddekaratta Sutta: MahaKaccana and One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 134 Lomasakangiyabhaddekaratta Sutta: Lomasakangiya and One Fortunate Attachment
    • MN 135 Cula Kamma Vibhanga Sutta
    • MN 136 Mahakammavibhanga Sutta: The Greater Exposition of Action
    • MN 137 Salayatanavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Sixfold Base
    • MN 138 Uddesavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of a Summary
    • MN 139 Aranavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of Non-Conflict
    • MN 140 Dhatuvibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Elements
    • MN 141 Saccavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Truths
    • MN 142 Dakkhinavibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of Offerings
    • MN 143 Anathapindikovada Sutta: Advice to Anathapindika
    • MN 144 Channovada Sutta: Advice to Channa
    • MN 145 Punnovada Sutta: Advice to Punna
    • MN 146 Nandakovada Sutta: Advice from Nandaka
    • MN 147 Cularahulovada Sutta: The Shorter Discourse of Advice to Rahula
    • MN 148 Chachakka Sutta: The Six Sets of Six
    • MN 149 Mahasalayatanika Sutta: The Great Sixfold Base
    • MN 150 Nagaravindeyya Sutta: To the Nagaravindans
    • MN 151 Pindapataparisuddhi Sutta: The Purification of Almsfood
    • MN 152 Indriyabhavana Sutta: The Development of the Faculties
  • Samyutta Nikaya (Connected discourse)
    • PART I: The Book with Verses (Sagathavagga) >
      • Chapter 1 Devata-samyutta: Connected Discourses with Devatas
      • ​Chapter 2 Devaputta Sutta: Connected discourse with young devas
      • ​Chapter 3 Kosala-Samyutta (With the Kosalan)
      • Chapter 4 Mara-samyutta (Mara)
      • Chapter 5 Bhikkhuni-Samyutta (With Bhikkunis)
      • Chapter 6 Brahma-Samyutta (With Brahmas)
      • Chapter 7 Brahmana- Samyutta (With Brahmins)
      • Chapter 8 Vangisa- Samyutta (With Vangisa)
      • Chapter 9 Vana-Samyutta (In the woods)
      • Chapter 10 Yakkha- Samyutta (With Yakkhas)
      • Chapter 11 Sakka-Samyutta (with Sakka)
    • Part II The Book of Causation (Nidana Vaggasamyutta) >
      • Chapter 1 Nidana Samyutta (On Causation)
      • Chapter 2 Abhisamaya-Samyutta (On the Breakthrough )
      • Chapter 3 Dhatu Samyutta (On Elements)
      • Chapter 4 Anamatagga Samyutta (On Without Discoverable Beginning​)
      • Chapter 5 Kassapa Samyutta (With Kassapa)
      • Chapter 6 Labhasakkara Samyutta (On Gains and Honor)
      • Chapter 7 Rahula-Samyutta
      • Chapter 8 Lakkhana-Samyutta (With Lakkhana)
      • ​Chapter 9 Opamma- Samyutta (With Similes)
      • Chapter 10 Bhikkhu-Samyutta (With Bhikkhus)
    • Part III The book of aggregates (Khandhavagga) >
      • Chapter 1 Khanda Samyutta (On the aggregates)
      • Chapter 2 Radha Samyutta (With Radha)
      • Chapter 3 Ditthi Samyutta (On Views)
      • Chapter 4 Okkanti Samyutta (On Entering)
      • Chapter 5 Uppada Samyutta (On Arising)
      • Chapter 6 Kilesa Samyutta (On Defilements)
      • Chapter 7 Sariputta Samyutta (With Sariputta)
      • Chapter 8 Naga Samyutta (On Nagas)
      • Chapter 9 Supanna Samyutta (On Supannas)
      • Chapter 10 Ghandhabba Samyutta (On Ghandhabbas)
      • Chapter 11 Valahaka Samyutta (On Cloud Devas)
      • Chapter 12 Vacchagotta Samyutta (With Vacchagotta)​
      • Chapter 13 Jhana Samyutta (On Meditation)
    • Part IV The Book of Six Sense Bases (Salayatanavagga) >
      • Chapter 1 Salayatana Samyutta (On Six Sense Bases)
      • Chapter 2 Vedana Samyutta
      • Chapter 3 Matugama Samyutta (On Women)
      • Chapter 4 Jambukhādaka Saṃyutta (With Jambukhadaka)
      • Chapter 5 Samandaka Samyutta (With Samandaka)
      • Chapter 6 Moggallana Samyutta (With Moggallana)
      • Chapter 7 Citta Samyutta (With Citta)
      • Chapter 8 Gamani Samyutta (To Headmen)
      • Chapter 9 Asankhata Samyutta: On the unconditioned
      • Chapter 10 Abyakata Samyutta (On the undeclared)
    • Part V The Great Book (Maha Vaggasamyutta) >
      • Chapter 1 Magga Samyutta (On the path)
      • Chapter 2 Bojjhanga Samyutta (On the factors of enlightenment)
      • Chapter 3 Satipatthana Samyutta (Establishments of Mindfulness)
      • Chapter 4 Indriya Samyutta (On the Faculties)
      • Chapter 5 Sammappadhana Samyutta (On the Right Strivings)
      • Chapter 6 Bala Samyutta (On the Powers)
      • Chapter 7 Iddhipada Samyutta (On the bases for Spiritual power)
      • Chapter 8 Anuruddha Samyutta (With Anuruddha)
      • Chapter 9 Jhana Samyutta (On the Jhanas)
      • Chapter 10 Anapana Samyutta (On Breathing)
      • Chapter 11 Sotapatti Samyutta (On Stream Entry)
      • Chapter 12 Sacca Samyutta (On the truths)
  • Anguttara Nikaya (Numerical discourse)
    • The Book of the Ones (Ekakanipāta) >
      • I Obsession of the mind. II Abandoning the hindrances, ​III Unwieldy & IV Untamed
      • V A Spike VI Luminous VII Arousal of Energy, VIII Good Friendship, IX Heedlessness & X Internal
      • XI Non-Dhamma, XII Not an offense, XIII One Person, ​XIV Foremost XV Impossible & XVI One thing
      • XVII Qualities Engendering confidence, XVIII Finger Snap, XIX Mindfulness directed to the body & XX The Deathless
    • The Book Of Twos (Dukanipata) >
      • I Entering upon the rains, II Disciplinary Issues, III Fools, IV Same-Minded & V Assembles
      • VI People, VII Happiness, VIII With a basis,IX Dhamma, X Fools & XI Desires
      • XII Aspiring XIII Gifts XIV Munificence
      • ​XV Meditative Attainment, XVI Anger , XVII Unwholesome repetition series, ​​XVIII Discipline Repetition Series, XIX Lust and so forth repetition series
    • The Book of Threes (Tikanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
    • The Book of Fours (Catukkanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
      • Fourth Fifty
      • Fifth Fifty
    • The Book of Fives (Pancakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
      • Fourth Fifty
      • Fifth Fifty
      • Sixth Fifty
    • The Book of Sixes (Chakkanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of Sevens (Sattakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of Eights ( Atthakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of The Nines (Navakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
    • The Book of Tens (Dasakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
      • Second Fifty
      • Third Fifty
      • Fourth Fifty
      • An Extra Fifty
    • The Book of Elevens (Ekadasakanipata) >
      • First Fifty
  • Khuddaka Nikāya
  • Dhammapada
    • Dhammapada Chapter 1 verse 1-20 (The twins)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 2 Verse 21-32 (Heedfulness)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 3 Verse 33-43 (Mind)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 4 Verse 44-59 (Flowers)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 5 Verse 60-75 (Fools)
    • Dhammapada Chapter 6 Verse 76-89 The Wise
    • Dhammapada Chapter 7 Verse 90- 99 The Arahant
    • Dhammapada Chapter 8 Verse 100-115 The thousands
    • Dhammapada Chapter 9 Verse 116-128 Evil
    • Dhammapada Chapter 10 Verse 129-145 Punishment
    • Dhammapada Chapter 11 Verse 146-156 Old age
    • Dhammpada Chapter 12 Verse 157-166: Self
    • Dhammapada Chapter 13 Verse 167-178 World
    • Dhammapada Chapter 14 Verse 179-196: The Buddha
    • Dhammapada Chapter 15 Verse 197-208: Happiness
    • Dhammapada Chapter 16 Verse 209-220: Affection
    • Dhammapada Chapter 17 Verse 221-234 : Anger
    • Dhammapada Chapter 18 Verse 235-255: Impurities
    • Dhammapada Chapter 19 Established Verse 256-272
    • Dhammapada Chapter 20 Verse 273-289 : The Path
    • Dhammapada Chapter 21 Verse 290-305: Miscellaneous
    • Dhammapada Chapter 22 Verse 306-319: Hell
    • Dhammapada Chapter 23 Verse 320-333: The Great
    • Dhammapada Chapter 24 Craving Verse 334-359
    • Dhammapada Chapter 25 The Monk Verse 360-382
    • Dhammapada Chapter 26 Brahmana Verse 383-423
  • Vinaya Pitaka
  • Abhidhamma
  • Great Disciples of the Buddha
    • Chief disciple Ven Sariputta
    • Chief disciple Ven Moggallana
    • Mahakassapa
    • Ananda
    • Anuruddha
    • Mahakaccana
    • Bhikkhuni Mahapajapati Gotami
    • Visakha and other Bhikkhunis
    • Aṅgulimāla
    • Anāthapiṇḍika
    • Shorter lives of the disciples
  • Ordination Procedure (Upasampadàvidhã )
    • Chapter 1 Upasampada
    • Chapter 2 The Vinaya
    • Chapter 3 Ordination Procedure
    • Chapter 4 Admonition Anusasana
    • Chapter 5 Preliminary Duties for a New Bhikkhu
    • Chapter 6 Daily chanting
    • Appendices
  • THE DHAMMA WAY
    • Why should we practise Mettā?
    • How to make Merits?
    • Do you cultivate the Four Divine Abodes?
    • Q&A on Buddhist’s Misconceptions
    • Will Buddhism disappear from the world?
    • Have you seen Relics?
    • Are there karmically genetic diseases?
    • What is the Buddhist approach to crime and punishment?
    • Let’s practise ‘Paccavekkhana’
  • Patipadā Venerable Ãcariya Mun’s Path of Practice
    • Chapter 1 Kammatthåna
    • Chapter 2 Training the Mind
    • Chapter 3 The White-robed Upåsaka
    • Chapter 4 More About Training & Venerable Ajaan Mun’s Talk
    • Chapter 5 Stories of Bhikkhus Who Practise
    • Chapter 6 The Ascetic Practices (Dhutangas)
    • Chapter 7 The Story of Venerable Ajaan Chob
    • Chapter 8 Bhikkhus of the “Modern Kind”
    • Chapter 9 About Beings in the Realm of Ghosts
    • Chapter 10 The Practice of the Dhutangas
    • Chapter 11 The Nature of Greed & Fighting Pain and Kilesas
    • Chapter 12 A Short Biography of Venerable Ajaan Khao
    • Chapter 13 Methods of Bhåvanå
    • Chapter 14 The Importance of Mindfulness
    • Chapter 15 The Kammatthåna Bhikkhus’ Ways of Behaviour
    • Chapter 16 The Customs of Kammatthåna Bhikkhus
    • Chapter 17 How Questions Differ in Samådhi & Paññå
    • Chapter 18 More on Behaviour & Dhamma Discussions
    • Chapter 19 The Story of Venerable Ajaan Brom
    • Chapter 20 Venerable Ajaan Mun’s Practice & His Methods of Teaching
  • Venerable Ãcariya Mun Bhýridatta Thera — A Spiritual Biography —
    • The Early Years
    • The Middle Years
    • A Heart Released
    • The Chiang Mai Years
    • Unusual Questions, Enlightening Answers
    • The Final Years
    • The Legacy
    • Appendix I
    • Appendix II
  • Things as they are
    • Introduction
    • From Ignorance to Emptiness
    • The Tracks of the Ox
    • The path of strength
    • The Savor of the Dhamma
    • The Middleness of the Middle Way
    • The Simile of the Horse
    • Principles in the Practice, Principles in the Heart
    • The Four Frames of Reference
    • The Work of a Contemplative
    • The Fangs of Ignorance
    • The Outer Space of Mind
    • To Be an Inner Millionaire
    • Every Grain of Sand
  • Arahattamagga Arahattaphala (The Path to Arahantship)
    • ARAHATTAMAGGA (The direct route to the end of all suffering)
    • ARAHATTAPHALA
    • ARAHATTAPATTA
    • APPENDIX
  • Forest Dhamma
    • Introduction
    • Wisdom Develops Samadhi
    • Samadhi I
    • Samadhi 2
    • Samadhi 3
    • Wisdom
    • The Funeral Desana
    • Dhamma Talk 1
    • The development of meditation
  • Paritta Chants
  • Dhamma Ebooks links
  • Autobiographies of Ajahns
  • Blog