Sutta Library

Browse the Buddha's discourses from the Pāḷi Canon

Try a sutta ID, title, topic like "impermanence", or words like "anger", "fear", "restless"

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152 suttas found· Showing 1–50

Sorted by learning path

#18mn 141MN

The Analysis of the Truths Sutta (Saccavibhaṅga Sutta)

A detailed analysis of each of the Four Noble Truths, especially the truth of suffering. · Feb 15, 2026

Four Noble Truths

#19mn 117MN

The Great Forty Sutta (Mahācattārīsaka Sutta)

The distinction between mundane and noble versions of each path factor. · Feb 15, 2026

Noble Eightfold Path

#20mn 118MN

The Mindfulness of Breathing Sutta (Ānāpānasati Sutta)

The sixteen-step practice of mindfulness of breathing, how these sixteen steps fulfill the four foundations of mindfulness, and how the four foundations of mindfulness fulfill the seven factors of awakening. · Feb 15, 2026

Mindfulness of Breathing

#22mn 9MN

Right View Sutta (Sammaditthisutta) (Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta)

The Sammaditthisutta (Right View Sutta) teaches the importance of right view as the foundation of the Noble Eightfold Path. · Feb 19, 2026

#31mn 28MN

The Greater Elephant Footprint Simile Sutta (Mahahatthipadopamasuttam) (Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta)

This sutta uses the simile of an elephant's footprint to explain how all wholesome teachings are encompassed within the Four Noble Truths. · Feb 19, 2026

#32mn 30MN

The Shorter Simile of the Heartwood (Cūḷasāropama Sutta)

A teaching story that explores the difference between what appears valuable on the surface and what truly matters at the core, using the metaphor of a tree's heartwood to illuminate life's essential truths. · Feb 22, 2026

#33mn 76MN

The Discourse to Sandaka (Sandaka Sutta)

The Buddha outlines four types of unsatisfactory spiritual teachers and four unsatisfactory ways of life, then presents the noble eightfold path as the supreme spiritual guidance. · Feb 22, 2026

#37mn 61MN

Advice to Rahula at Mango Stone Sutta (Ambalatthikarahulovadasuttam) (Ambalaṭṭhikārāhulovāda Sutta)

This sutta teaches the importance of mindfulness in speech, action, and thought. · Feb 19, 2026

#38mn 58MN

To Prince Abhaya (Abhayarajakumarasuttam) (Abhayarājakumāra Sutta)

This sutta teaches the importance of skillful speech and the Buddha's approach to responding to challenging or provocative questions. · Feb 19, 2026

#63mn 4MN

The Fear and Dread Discourse (Bhayabheravasuttam) (Bhayabheravasuttaṃ)

The Bhayabheravasuttam explores how the Buddha overcame fear and dread through mindfulness, ethical conduct, and deep meditation. · Feb 19, 2026

#64mn 24MN

The Rathavinīta Sutta (Rathavinitasuttam)

The Rathavinita Sutta teaches the concept of spiritual progress as a sequential journey, using the metaphor of a relay of chariots. · Feb 19, 2026

#65mn 29MN

The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood (Mahāsāropama Sutta)

You'll discover the crucial difference between spiritual achievements and spiritual freedom, learning why concentration, virtue, and even deep meditative states are stepping stones rather than destina · Feb 21, 2026

#66mn 39MN

The Greater Discourse at Assapura Sutta (Mahaassapurasuttam) (Mahā-Assapura Sutta)

The Mahaassapurasuttam teaches the qualities and practices that define a true renunciate, emphasizing ethical conduct, mental discipline, and wisdom. · Feb 19, 2026

#67mn 40MN

The Shorter Discourse at Assapura (Cūḷaassapura Sutta)

The Buddha teaches that true spiritual practitioners must go beyond external appearances and cultivate genuine inner qualities of virtue, mental discipline, and wisdom. · Feb 22, 2026

#68mn 41MN

The Brahmans of Sala Sutta (Saleyyakasuttam) (Sāleyyaka Sutta)

The Saleyyakasuttam teaches about ethical conduct and the ten wholesome actions, emphasizing the importance of moral discipline for both laypeople and monastics. · Feb 19, 2026

#69mn 42MN

The People of Verañja (Verañjaka Sutta)

The Buddha teaches the people of Verañja the ten unwholesome actions to avoid and ten wholesome actions to cultivate for ethical living. · Feb 26, 2026

#70mn 44MN

The Shorter Set of Questions and Answers Sutta (Culavedallasuttam) (Cūḷavedalla Sutta)

The Culavedallasuttam is a dialogue between the lay disciple Visakha and the nun Dhammadinna, exploring profound teachings on the five aggregates (upadanakkhandha), the nature of self (sakkaya), and the path to liberation. · Feb 19, 2026

#71mn 48MN

The Kosambians Sutta (Kosambiyasuttam)

The Kosambians Sutta teaches the importance of harmony and resolving conflicts within the monastic community. · Feb 19, 2026

#72mn 51MN

To Kandaraka Sutta (Kandarakasuttam)

The Kandaraka Sutta explores the qualities of a peaceful and disciplined community of monks, highlighting the benefits of mindfulness and ethical conduct. · Feb 19, 2026

#73mn 55MN

The Discourse to Jīvaka (Jīvaka Sutta)

The Buddha addresses a royal physician's concerns about monastic conduct, clarifying ethical guidelines around speech, behavior, and dietary practices for his followers. · Feb 22, 2026

#74mn 57MN

The Dog-Duty Ascetic (Kukkuravatika Sutta)

The Buddha explains to ascetics practicing dog and ox vows how their animal-like behaviors lead to animal rebirths, teaching proper ethical conduct instead. · Feb 26, 2026

#75mn 77MN

The Greater Discourse to Sakuludāyī (Mahāsakuludāyī Sutta)

You'll discover what makes the Buddha's teaching truly distinctive—not just another philosophy, but a path grounded in complete ethical conduct, direct knowledge rather than speculation, and practical · Feb 21, 2026

#76mn 88MN

The Discourse on the Robe-Cloth (Bāhitika Sutta)

A Buddhist discourse examining the criteria for ethical assessment and moral evaluation, exploring what constitutes truly praiseworthy conduct and character. · Feb 22, 2026

#77mn 94MN

The Discourse with Ghoṭamukha (Ghoṭamukha Sutta)

A dialogue comparing the spiritual paths and training values of lay practitioners and renunciates, exploring different approaches to Buddhist practice and their respective merits. · Feb 22, 2026

#78mn 97MN

To Dhānañjāni (Dhananjanisuttam) (Dhānañjāni Sutta)

The Dhananjani Sutta highlights the importance of ethical conduct and the consequences of one's actions, both in this life and beyond. · Feb 19, 2026

#79mn 98MN

To Vāseṭṭha (Vāseṭṭha Sutta)

You'll discover the Buddha's revolutionary teaching that true spiritual nobility comes from ethical conduct and inner development, not from family lineage or social status. This sutta shows how genuin · Feb 21, 2026

#80mn 103MN

How Is It? (Kinti Sutta)

The Buddha explains how monks can live harmoniously together through six principles of respectful conduct, shared ethics, and unified understanding. · Feb 26, 2026

#81mn 104MN

At Sāmagama (Sāmagama Sutta)

The Buddha teaches Ānanda seven methods for settling disputes in the monastic community, emphasizing reconciliation and harmony. · Feb 22, 2026

#82mn 107MN

The Discourse to Gaṇaka Moggallāna (Gaṇaka Moggallāna Sutta)

The Buddha explains the gradual training to the brahmin accountant Gaṇaka Moggallāna, comparing it to the systematic learning of skills like accounting, archery, and elephant training. This discourse provides one of the most comprehensive outlines of the Buddhist path from initial ethical conduct through the highest meditative attainments. · Feb 22, 2026

#83mn 110MN

The Shorter Discourse on the Full-Moon Night (Cūḷapuṇṇama Sutta)

The Buddha teaches how to distinguish between good and bad persons through their conduct, speech, and mental qualities. · Feb 22, 2026

#84mn 139MN

The Exposition of Non-Conflict (Araraṇavibhaṅga Sutta)

The Buddha explains how to live without conflict through peaceful speech, conduct, and mental states that avoid disputes and promote harmony. · Feb 22, 2026

#85mn 143MN

Advice to Anāthapiṇḍika (Anāthapiṇḍikovāda Sutta)

The Buddha instructs the dying householder Anāthapiṇḍika to let go of attachment to his body, possessions, and loved ones to find peace. · Feb 26, 2026

#86mn 150MN

To the People of Nagaravinda (Nagaravindeyya Sutta)

The Buddha advises householders in Nagaravinda on how to evaluate spiritual teachers by examining their conduct and the effects of their teachings. · Feb 26, 2026

#91mn 62MN

The Greater Exhortation to Rahula Sutta (Maharahulovadasuttam) (Mahārāhulovāda Sutta)

The Maharahulovada Sutta teaches Rahula, the Buddha's son, about the impermanence and non-self nature of all phenomena, emphasizing mindfulness and detachment. · Feb 19, 2026

#92mn 10MN

The Foundations of Mindfulness Sutta (Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta)

The four foundations of mindfulness: contemplation of the body, feelings, mind, and mental objects. · Feb 15, 2026

Satipaṭṭhāna / Establishing Mindfulness

#94mn 6MN

The Discourse on If One Would Wish (Akankheyyasuttam) (Ākaṅkheyyasuttaṃ)

The Akankheyyasuttam teaches how a practitioner can cultivate wholesome qualities and attain higher states of mind, including concentration, insight, and liberation. · Feb 19, 2026

#124mn 17MN

Jungle Thickets (Vanapattha Sutta)

You'll discover clear criteria for evaluating whether your practice environment truly supports your spiritual growth. The Buddha teaches how to honestly assess if a place helps develop mindfulness and · Feb 21, 2026

#125mn 23MN

The Ant-Hill (Vammika Sutta)

A brahmin's riddle about an ant-hill leads to an explanation of meditation stages and the obstacles that must be overcome to reach enlightenment. · Feb 26, 2026

#126mn 50MN

The Rebuke of Māra (Māratajjanīya Sutta)

Venerable Moggallāna encounters Māra who tries to disturb his meditation, leading to a powerful teaching on recognizing and overcoming spiritual obstacles. · Feb 22, 2026

#127mn 70MN

At Kīṭāgiri (Kitagirisuttam) (Kīṭāgiri Sutta)

The Kitagirisuttam teaches the importance of moderation in eating, particularly abstaining from eating at night, as a practice that supports physical health, mental clarity, and ease of meditation. · Feb 19, 2026

#128mn 106MN

Conducive to the Imperturbable (Āneñjasappāya Sutta)

The Buddha explains how to develop the four jhanas and formless attainments as a path to achieving the imperturbable state beyond suffering. · Feb 26, 2026

#129mn 119MN

Mindfulness of the Body (Kāyagatāsati Sutta)

The Buddha provides comprehensive instructions on mindfulness of the body, covering fourteen different meditation practices from breathing to contemplation of death. · Feb 22, 2026

#130mn 121MN

The Shorter Discourse on Emptiness (Cūḷasuññata Sutta)

The Buddha teaches Ānanda a progressive meditation on emptiness, moving from external to internal awareness. A systematic guide to understanding how all experiences are empty of permanent self. · Feb 22, 2026

#131mn 122MN

The Greater Discourse on Emptiness (Mahāsuññata Sutta)

The Buddha teaches Ānanda about progressive stages of emptiness meditation, from dwelling alone to the highest formless attainments. A systematic guide to deepening contemplative practice through increasingly subtle forms of mental seclusion. · Feb 22, 2026

#132mn 127MN

With Anuruddha (Anuruddha Sutta)

Anuruddha explains how he developed the four jhanas, overcame mental hindrances, and achieved liberation through mindfulness and wisdom practice. · Feb 26, 2026

#133mn 128MN

Corruptions (Upakkilesa Sutta)

The Buddha explains how mental corruptions and hindrances arise during meditation practice and provides methods for overcoming them. · Feb 26, 2026

#134mn 147MN

The Shorter Advice to Rāhula (Cularahulovada Sutta)

The Buddha provides concise meditation instructions to his son Rāhula on mindfulness of breathing, leading him toward the complete elimination of mental defilements. This sutta demonstrates the Buddha · Feb 26, 2026

#138mn 19MN

Two Kinds of Thought Sutta (Dvedhāvitakka Sutta)

A teaching on two kinds of thought sutta · Feb 19, 2026

#139mn 20MN

The Relaxation of Thoughts Sutta (Vitakkasanthanasuttam) (Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta)

This sutta teaches practical methods for overcoming unwholesome thoughts and cultivating a calm, focused mind. · Feb 19, 2026

#140mn 21MN

The Simile of the Saw Sutta (Kakacupamasuttam) (Kakacūpama Sutta)

The Kakacupama Sutta teaches the importance of patience, restraint, and non-retaliation, even in the face of extreme provocation. · Feb 19, 2026