Buddhist TeachingsCompanion

Discover the teachings. Understand them. Practise today.

Sahāya means "companion" in Pāḷi. This app brings you early Buddhist teachings with modern explanations, so you can understand and apply them in daily life.

Each sutta is presented in four ways: a faithful English translation (Sutta) that preserves the structure and meaning; a Modern paraphrase in everyday language (clearly marked as not part of the sutta); Guidance to help you apply the teaching in daily life; and Pāḷi+ with the original text and links to respected translations so you can compare sources.

You can save passages that resonate with you, add private notes, and use the AI companion to ask questions—always grounded in the suttas with citations.

To use My Library, you'll need to register. It lets you save favourites, store highlighted excerpts, create reading lists, and track what you've read. Register →

A note on how this was made: Sahaya uses AI to generate Pāḷi-to-English translations and Guidance for each sutta. Interpretation is clearly labeled and kept separate from the sutta text. If you notice an error, we'd be grateful if you let us know.

Twelve Essential Suttas

Core teachings to begin your journey

SN 56.11

The Four Noble Truths

Dhammacakkappavattana

The Buddha's first teaching: suffering, its cause, its ending, and the path.

SN 36.6

Two Arrows

Sallatha

Pain is inevitable; adding mental suffering is optional.

SN 22.59

Non-Self

Anattalakkhana

The five aggregates are not self—letting go of identification.

SN 12.2

Dependent Origination

Vibhaṅga

How suffering arises through conditions, and how it ends.

MN 10

Mindfulness Foundations

Satipaṭṭhāna

The complete guide to establishing mindfulness in daily life.

MN 118

Breath Meditation

Ānāpānasati

Using the breath to develop calm and insight.

AN 6.55

Balanced Effort

Soṇa

Like tuning a lute—not too tight, not too loose.

Snp 1.8

Loving-Kindness

Karanīya Mettā

Cultivating boundless goodwill toward all beings.

MN 141

Analysis of the Truths

Saccavibhaṅga

Sāriputta's detailed explanation of the Four Noble Truths.

SN 45.8

Analysis of the Path

Magga-vibhaṅga

Each factor of the Noble Eightfold Path explained.

DN 31

Lay Life & Ethics

Sigālaka

Practical guidance on relationships, work, and daily conduct.

SN 22.95

Foam Similes

Pheṇa

The aggregates are like foam, bubbles, and mirages.

Each sutta, four ways

Understand at your own pace

Sutta

A faithful English translation that preserves structure, lists, and meaning.

Modern

A modern paraphrase that makes the teaching accessible.

(Clearly marked as not part of the sutta.)

Guidance

Warm, practice-oriented help for applying the sutta in daily life.

Recommended starting point

Pāḷi+

The Pāḷi original plus links to respected translations for comparison.

Start Here

Recommended suttas for newcomers

an 1.1AN

Sight (Rupa Sutta)

The Buddha teaches that among all forms perceived by the eye, none captivates the mind as completely as the form of a woman captivates a man's mind.

an 1.21AN

Good Friends (Kalyanamitta Sutta)

The Buddha tells Ananda that good spiritual friendship is the entire holy life, not just half of it.

an 10.1AN

What Is the Purpose? (Kimatthiya Sutta)

You'll discover how ethical living naturally unfolds into deeper spiritual development through a beautiful ten-step progression. This sutta reveals that good conduct isn't just about following rules—i

an 10.2AN

Making a Wish (Cetanākaraṇīya Sutta)

You'll discover how spiritual development unfolds naturally through interconnected stages, from ethical conduct to complete liberation. This teaching reveals that you don't need to force or wish for e

an 10.3AN

Proximate Causes (First) (Paṭhama Upanisa Sutta)

You'll discover how spiritual development follows a natural sequence, like a tree growing from roots to fruit. This teaching shows how ethical conduct creates the foundation for inner peace, which lea

an 10.60AN

To Girimananda (Girimananda Sutta)

The Buddha teaches ten contemplations to the sick monk Girimananda, leading to his recovery and attainment of arahantship.

The Canon

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The five Nikāyas of the Pāḷi Canon

Tools for Practice