Suttas

This section contains links to original renditions of texts from the Sutta Pitaka (Basket of discourses). This is the only complete collection of early Buddhist texts which survive in a Middle-Indo Aryan language (called Pali). It is the closest thing we can get to what the historical figure known as the Buddha taught.

The texts of the Sutta Pitaka are famously repetitive and wordy. They do not read like natural dialogue and this makes them less accessible. The renditions here are meant to present an idiomatic, plain English reading, with little or no repetition. Thus I am focusing on readability and conciseness. My goal is to present texts which read more or less like a piece of dialogue from a modern novel.

Turning the Dharma wheel

One of the key discourses of the Buddha, where he introduces the key teaching of the “four noble truths”.

Not Self

The Buddha introduces another one of his key teachings, not-self (anatta).

On Fire

A short teaching on the nature of the senses.

Analysis of the Path

The eightfold path is explained.

Mindfulness of Breathing

The Buddha’s main teaching on breath meditation.

Mindfulness of the Body

Buddha teaches the meditations on mindfulness of the body.

Four Ways of Mindfulness

An overview of the four main ways to do mindfulness meditation.

A Short Talk with Mālunkya

The Buddha discusses why he has left several questions unanswered.

Kaccānagotta

An important short teaching on the nature of reality and existence.

A Honey Cake

The Buddha explains how overthinking leads to suffering.

Foam

A teaching on how the true nature of all things is to be seen as empty.

The Kalamas

A teaching on the sources of knowledge and on how to think about the afterlife.

The Root of Everything

The Buddha explains how different types of persons perceive their reality in different ways.

Wishing

The Buddha outlines how the path naturally proceeds step by step.

To Prince Bodhi

The Buddha tells the story of his search for and attainment of awakening.

All the Poisons

A discourse on the various ways to work with the poisons which afflict the mind.

Anathapindika’s Death

Sariputta gives a dying householder a concise but high level teaching.