Sutta Nipata
The Sutta Collection
(selected passages)
The Sutta Nipata ("The Sutta Collection"), the fifth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, consists of 71 short suttas divided into five chapters.
A useful printed translation of the complete Sutta Nipata is K.R. Norman's The Group of Discourses (2nd ed.) (Oxford: Pali Text Society, 2001). Excerpts from the Sutta Nipata also appear in Handful of Leaves (Vol. 4), Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans. (Santa Cruz: Sati Center for Buddhist Studies, 2003). Some of the passages listed below originally appeared in John Ireland's The Discourse Collection: Selected Texts from the Sutta Nipata, (BPS "Wheel" Publication No. 82).
The braces {} contain the corresponding verse numbers in the original Pali text.
See Thanissaro Bhikkhu's
Introduction to this vagga.
V. Parayanavagga — The Chapter on the Way to the Far Shore
See Thanissaro Bhikkhu's
Introduction to this vagga.
- Ajita-manava-puccha (Sn V.1) — Ajita's Questions {vv. 1032-1039} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. The Buddha summarizes the essence of Dhamma training: "Not craving for sensual pleasures, and with a mind that is pure and tranquil."
- Tissa-metteyya-manava-puccha (Sn V.2) — Tissa-metteyya's Questions {vv. 1040-1042} [Thanissaro]. Who in the world is truly contented, truly free, truly a great person?
- Punnaka-manava-puccha (Sn V.3) — Punnaka's Questions {vv. 1043-1048} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. The Buddha explains that birth and aging can never be transcended by performing hopeful rituals, but only by extinguishing the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
- Mettagu-manava-puccha (Sn V.4) — Mettagu's Questions {vv. 1049-1060} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. How does one cross the flood of birth and old age, sorrow and grief?
- Dhotaka-manava-puccha (Sn V.5) — Dhotaka's Questions {vv. 1061-1068} [Thanissaro]. How can one become freed of all doubt?
- Upasiva-manava-puccha (Sn V.6) — Upasiva's Questions {vv. 1069-1076} [Thanissaro]. What support should one hold on to in order to cross over the raging flood of craving?
- Nanda-manava-puccha (Sn V.7) — Nanda's Questions {vv. 1077-1083} [Thanissaro]. Who, exactly, deserves to be called "wise": One who is learned? One who observes certain precepts and practices? Who?
- Hemaka-manava-puccha (Sn V.8) — Hemaka's Question {vv. 1084-1087} [Thanissaro]. How can we demolish craving and free ourselves from entanglement with the world?
- Toddeya-manava-puccha (Sn V.9) — Toddeya's Question {vv. 1088-1091} [Thanissaro]. So — what's it like, being emancipated, anyway?
- Kappa-manava-puccha (Sn V.10) — Kappa's Question {vv. 1092-1095} [Thanissaro]. Is there an island for us to stand on so that we're not swept away by aging and death?
- Jatukanni-manava-puccha (Sn V.11) — Jatukannin's Question {vv. 1096-1100} [Thanissaro]. How does one abandon birth and aging?
- Bhadravudha-manava-puccha (Sn V.12) — Bhadravudha's Question {vv. 1101-1104} [Thanissaro]. Bhadravudha asks of the Buddha: How did you come to know the Dhamma?
- Udaya-manava-puccha (Sn V.13) — Udaya's Questions {vv. 1105-1111} [Thanissaro]. In what way should one live mindfully, so as to bring about Awakening?
- Posala-manava-puccha (Sn V.14) — Posala's Questions {vv. 1112-1115} [Thanissaro]. How does one develop insight after mastering the higher levels of jhana?
- Mogharaja-manava-puccha (Sn V.15) — Mogharaja's Questions {vv. 1116-1119} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. How should one view the world so as to escape Death's grasp?
- Pingiya-manava-puccha (Sn V.16) — Pingiya's Questions {vv. 1120-1123} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. Alarmed by the deterioration of his aging body, Pingiya asks the Buddha how to conquer birth and decay.