DN 33 Reciting in Concert Part 2
The Buddha encourages Venerable Sāriputta to teach the mendicants, and he offers an extended listing of Buddhist doctrines arranged in numerical sequence.
39m May 25, 2021
39m
DN 33 Reciting in Concert Part 1
The Buddha encourages Venerable Sāriputta to teach the mendicants, and he offers an extended listing of Buddhist doctrines arranged in numerical sequence.
42m May 19, 2021
42m
DN 32 The Atanatiya Protection
Mighty spirits hold a congregation, and warn the Buddha that, since not all spirits are friendly, the mendicants should learn verses of protection.
17m May 13, 2021
17m
DN 31 Sigalovada Sutta
The sutta gives advice on conduct and details what conduct leads to happiness and well-being in this life and re-birth in a heaven world. The sutta is traditionally regarded as the lay vinaya, the laity’s equivalent of the monastic rules.
27m May 11, 2021
27m
DN 30 The Marks of a Great Man
This presents the brahmanical prophecy of the Great Man, and explains the 32 marks in detail. This discourse contains some of the latest and most complex verse forms in the canon.
48m May 07, 2021
48m
DN 29 An Impressive Discourse
Following the death of Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta, the leader of the Jains, the Buddha emphasizes the stability and maturity of his own community. He encourages the community to come together after his death and recite the teachings in harmony.
44m May 02, 2021
44m
DN 29 An Impressive Discourse
Following the death of Nigaṇṭha Nātaputta, the leader of the Jains, the Buddha emphasizes the stability and maturity of his own community. He encourages the community to come together after his death and recite the teachings in harmony.
44m May 02, 2021
44m
DN28 Inspiring Confidence
Shortly before he passes away, Venerable Sāriputta visits the Buddha and utters a moving eulogy of his great teacher.
29m Apr 30, 2021
29m
DN 27 The Origin of Things
This sutta details why the true status of an individual is not a matter of the class into which one is born but of how one behaves.
39m Apr 14, 2021
39m
DN 26 The Wheel Turning Monarch
In illustration of his dictum that one should rely on oneself, the Buddha gives a detailed account of the fall of a kingly lineage of the past, and the subsequent degeneration of society. This process, however, is not over, as the Buddha predicts that eventually society will fall into utter chaos. But far in the future, another Buddha, Metteyya, will arise in a time of peace and plenty.
33m Apr 08, 2021
33m
DN 25 The Lion’s Roar at Udumbarikā’s Monastery
This discourse gives a specially good example of dialogue between religions. The Buddha insists that he is not interested in making anyone give up their teacher or practices, but only to help people let go of suffering.
36m Apr 03, 2021
36m
DN 24 About Pāṭikaputta
When Sunakkhatta threatens to disrobe, the Buddha is unimpressed. Rejecting showy displays of asceticism or wondrous powers, he demonstrates his pre-eminence.
45m Mar 31, 2021
45m
DN 23 With Pāyāsi
This is a long and entertaining debate between a monk and a skeptic, who went to elaborate and bizarre lengths to prove that there is no such thing as an afterlife. The discourse contains a colorful series of parables and examples.
50m Mar 28, 2021
50m
DN 22 The Longer Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation
The Buddha details the seventh factor of the noble eightfold path, mindfulness meditation. This discourse is essentially identical to MN 10, with the addition of an extended section on the four noble truths derived from MN 141.
26m Mar 15, 2021
26m
DN 21 Sakka's Questions
After hearing a love song from a god of music, the Buddha engages in a deep discussion with Sakka on the conditioned origin of attachment and suffering.
35m Mar 09, 2021
35m
DN 20 The Great Congregation
When deities from all realms gather in homage to the Buddha, he gives a series of verses describing them. These verses, which are commonly chanted in Theravadin countries, give one of the most detailed descriptions of the deities worshiped at the the time of the Buddha.
14m Mar 04, 2021
14m
DN 19 The Great Steward
A minor deity informs the Buddha of the conversations and business of the gods.
19m Mar 02, 2021
19m
DN 18 With Janavasabha
Beginning with an account of the fates of disciples who had recently passed away, the scene shifts to a discussion of Dhamma held by the gods.
25m Feb 23, 2021
25m
DN 17 King Mahāsudassana
This sutta contains the story of one of the previous life of the Buddha and is a full version of a narrative given in brief in the Mahāparinibbāna-sutta.
54m Feb 17, 2021
54m
DN16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 5
The longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
29m Feb 15, 2021
29m
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 4
The longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
29m Feb 14, 2021
29m
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 3
The longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
31m Feb 13, 2021
31m
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 2
The longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
23m Feb 12, 2021
23m
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 1
The longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
38m Feb 11, 2021
38m
DN 15 The Great Discourse on Causation
Rejecting Venerable Ānanda’s claim to easily understand dependent origination, the Buddha presents a complex and demanding analysis, revealing hidden nuances and implications of this central teaching.
40m Feb 09, 2021
40m
Dn 14 The Great Discourse on the Harvest of Deeds
The Buddha teaches about the six Buddhas of the past, and tells a lengthy account of one of those, Vipassī.
21m Feb 07, 2021
21m
DN 13 The Three Knowledges
A number of brahmins are discussing the true path to Brahmā. Contesting the claims to authority based on the Vedas, the Buddha insists that only personal experience can lead to the truth.
24m Feb 03, 2021
24m
DN 12 With Lohicca
A brahmin has fallen into the idea that there is no point in trying to offer spiritual help to others. The Buddha goes to see him, and persuades him of the genuine benefits of spiritual teaching.
59m Feb 01, 2021
59m
DN 11 With Kevaddha
The Buddha refuses to perform miracles, explaining that this is not the right way to inspire faith. He goes on to tell the story of a monk whose misguided quest for answers led him as far as Brahmā.
59m Jan 29, 2021
59m
DN 10 With Subha
Shortly after the Buddha’s death, Venerable Ānanda is invited to explain the core teachings.
50m Jan 27, 2021
50m
DN 9 With Poṭṭhapāda
The Buddha discusses with a wanderer the nature of perception and how it evolves through deeper states of meditation. None of these, however, should be identified with a self or soul.
59m Jan 20, 2021
59m
DN 8 The Longer Discourse on the Lion's Roar
The Buddha is challenged by a naked ascetic on the topic of spiritual austerities. He points out that it is quite possible to perform all kinds of austere practices without having any inner purity of mind.
1hr 7m Jan 18, 2021
1hr 7m
DN 7 With Jāliya
The Buddha explains to a diverse group of lay people how the results of meditation depend on the manner of development.
41m Jan 16, 2021
41m
DN 6 With Mahāli
The Buddha explains to a diverse group of lay people how the results of meditation depend on the manner of development.
55m Jan 13, 2021
55m
DN5 With Kūṭadanta
A brahmin wishes to undertake a great sacrifice, and asks for the Buddha’s advice. The Buddha tells a legend of the past, in which a king is persuaded to give up violent sacrifice, and instead to devote his resources to supporting the needy citizens of his realm. However, even such a beneficial and non-violent sacrifice pales in comparison to the spiritual sacrifice of giving up attachments.
1hr 20m Jan 08, 2021
1hr 20m
DN 4 With Soṇadaṇḍa
A reputed brahmin visits the Buddha, despite the reservations of other brahmins. They discuss the true meaning of a brahmin, and the Buddha skillfully draws him around to his own point of view.
1hr 9m Jan 04, 2021
1hr 9m
DN 3 With Ambattha
A young brahmin student attacks the Buddha’s family, but is put in his place.
1hr Dec 31, 2020
1hr
DN 2 The Fruits of the Ascetic Life
The newly crowned King Ajātasattu is disturbed by the violent means by which he achieved the crown. He visits the Buddha to find peace of mind, and asks him about the benefits of spiritual practice. This is one of the greatest literary and spiritual texts of early Buddhism.
1hr 33m Dec 29, 2020
1hr 33m
DN 1 The Prime Net
While others may praise or criticise the Buddha, they tend to focus on trivial details. The Buddha presents an analysis of 62 kinds of wrong view, seeing through which one becomes detached from meaningless speculations.
1hr 23m Dec 21, 2020
1hr 23m
MN 152 The Development of the Faculties
A brahmin teacher advocates that purification of the senses consists in simply avoiding seeing and hearing things. The Buddha explains that it is not about avoiding sense experience, but understanding it and learning to not be affected by sense experience.
18m Dec 13, 2020
18m
MN 151 The Purification of Alms
The Buddha notices Venerable Sāriputta’s glowing complexion, which is the result of his deep meditation. He then presents a series of reflections by which a mendicant can be sure that they are worthy of their alms-food.
12m Dec 09, 2020
12m
MN 150 With the People of Nagaravinda
In discussion with a group of householders, the Buddha helps them to distinguish those spiritual practitioners who are truly worthy of respect.
11m Dec 07, 2020
11m
MN 149 The Great Discourse on the Six Sense Fields
This sutta explains how insight into the six senses is integrated with the eightfold path and leads to liberation.
26m Dec 05, 2020
26m
MN 148 Six by Six
The Buddha analyzes the six senses from six perspectives, and demonstrates the emptiness of all of them.
40m Dec 01, 2020
40m
MN 147 The Shorter Discourse of Advice to Rāhula
The Buddha takes Rāhula with him to a secluded spot in order to lead him on to liberation.
18m Nov 29, 2020
18m
MN 146 Advice from Nandaka
When asked to teach the nuns, Venerable Nandaka proceeds by inviting them to engage with his discourse and ask if there is anything that needs further explanation.
45m Nov 28, 2020
45m
MN 145 Advice to Puṇṇa
On the eve of his departure to a distant country, full of wild and unpredictable people, Venerable Puṇṇa is asked by the Buddha how he would respond if attacked there.
9m Nov 23, 2020
9m
MN 144 Advice to Channa
The monk Channa is suffering a painful terminal illness and wishes to take his own life.
9m Nov 17, 2020
9m
MN 143 Advice to Anāthapiṇḍika
As the great lay disciple Anāthapiṇḍika lies dying, Venerable Sāriputta visits him and gives a powerful teaching on non-attachment.
14m Nov 15, 2020
14m
MN 142 The Analysis of Religious Donations
When his step-mother Mahāpajāpatī wishes to offer him a robe for his personal use, the Buddha encourages her to offer it to the entire Saṅgha instead. He goes on to explain that the best kind of offering to the Saṅgha is one given to the dual community of monks and nuns, headed by the Buddha.
12m Nov 12, 2020
12m