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 (2^nd 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.

I. Uragavagga — The Snake Chapter

• Uraga Sutta (Sn I.1) — The Snake {vv. 1-17} [Nyanaponika | Thanissaro]. One who advances far along the path sheds unwholesome states of mind, as a snake sheds its dried up old skin.
• Dhaniya Sutta (Sn I.2) — Dhaniya the Cattleman {vv. 18-34} [Thanissaro]. A poetic dialogue contrasting the wealth and security of lay life with the wealth and security of a person who has lived the renunciate life to its culmination. If you have trouble relating to someone like Dhaniya who measures his wealth in cattle, then when reading this poem substitute stocks and bonds for cows and bulls, and economic downturn for rain.
• Khaggavisana Sutta (Sn I.3) — A Rhinoceros Horn {vv. 35-75} [Thanissaro]. On the value of living the solitary wandering life of a forest monk.
• Kasi Bharadvaja Sutta (Sn I.4) — To the Plowing Bharadvaja {vv. 76-82} [Olendzki (excerpt) | Piyadassi | Thanissaro]. The Buddha answers a farmer who asserts that monks do no useful work, and thus don't deserve to eat. (This sutta also appears at SN VII.11.)
• Cunda Sutta (Sn I.5) — To Cunda {vv. 83-90} [Thanissaro]. Four different types of contemplatives and how to recognize them.
• Parabhava Sutta (Sn I.6) — Downfall {vv. 91-115} [Narada | Piyadassi]. On the various causes of spiritual decline that the aspirant must avoid.
• Vasala Sutta (Sn I.7) — Discourse on Outcasts {vv. 116-142} [Piyadassi]. The Buddha explains to a brahman what qualities really make one worthy of being branded an "outcast."
• Karaniya Metta Sutta (Sn I.8) — The Discourse on Loving Kindness {vv. 143-152} [Amaravati | Buddharakkhita | Ñanamoli | Piyadassi | Thanissaro]. The Buddha's words on cultivating a heart filled with loving-kindness (metta) towards all beings. This sutta also appears at Khp 9.
• Alavaka Sutta (Sn I.10) — To the Alavaka Yakkha {vv. 181-192} [Piyadassi | Thanissaro]. A yakkha challenges the Buddha with riddles and threatens to beat him up. (This sutta also appears at SN X.12.)
• Vijaya Sutta (Sn I.11) — Victory {vv. 193-206} [Thanissaro]. Reflecting on the unattractiveness of the body as a way to gain insight.
• Muni Sutta (Sn 1.12) — The Sage {vv. 207-221} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha describes the characteristics of the ideal sage, who finds greater happiness and security not in relationships but in living the solitary contemplative life. (This is one of the suttas selected by King Asoka (r. 270-232 BCE) to be studied and reflected upon frequently by all practicing Buddhists. See That the True Dhamma Might Last a Long Time: Readings Selected by King Asoka, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.)

II. Culavagga — The Lesser Chapter

• Ratana Sutta (Sn II.1) — Treasures {vv. 222-238} [Piyadassi | Thanissaro]. The Buddha enumerates the many treasures to be found within the Triple Gem.
• Hiri Sutta (Sn II.3) — On Friendship {vv. 253-257} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. What is a true friend?
• Maha-mangala Sutta (Sn II.4) — Protection {vv. 258-269} [Narada | Piyadassi | Thanissaro]. An enumeration of the blessings that result from leading a skillful life.
• Dhammacariya Sutta (Sn II.6) — Wrong Conduct {vv. 274-283} [Ireland]. The monks are encouraged to avoid monks who conduct their lives in unwholesome ways.
• Nava Sutta (Sn II.8) — A Boat {vv. 316-323} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. A teacher, like a skilled boatman, is one who knows firsthand how to cross to the opposite shore.
• Kimsila Sutta (Sn II.9) — With What Virtue? {vv. 324-330} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. The attitudes and behavior that enable one best to learn and benefit from the Dhamma.
• Utthana Sutta (Sn II.10) — Initiative {vv. 331-334} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. A stirring exhortation to rekindle your efforts. Wake up!
• Rahula Sutta (Sn II.11) — Advice to Rahula {vv. 345-342} [Ireland]. The Buddha recommends the recluse way of life to his son, Rahula.
• Dhammika Sutta (Sn II.14) — Dhammika {vv. 376-404} [Ireland]. A lay follower asks the Buddha how a disciple should act virtuously. The Buddha explains.

III. Mahavagga — The Great Chapter

• Pabbaja Sutta (Sn III.1) — The Going Forth {vv. 405-424} [Thanissaro]. King Bimbisara, struck by the young Buddha's radiant demeanor, follows him to the mountains to discover who he is and whence he comes.
• Padhana Sutta (Sn III.2) — Exertion/The Great Struggle {vv. 425-449} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. The ten armies of Mara approach the Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be) in an unsuccessful attempt to lure him from his meditation seat.
• Subhasita Sutta (Sn III.3) — Well-spoken {vv. 450-454} [Thanissaro]. Four characteristics of well-spoken speech.
• Salla Sutta (Sn III.8) — The Arrow {vv. 574-593} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. Death and loss are inevitable, but is grief?
• Nalaka Sutta (Sn III.11) — To Nalaka {vv. 679-723} [Olendzki (excerpt) | Thanissaro]. A sutta in two parts. The first part gives an account of events soon after the birth of the Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be). The second part describes the way of the sage.
• Dvayatanupassana Sutta (Sn III.12) — The Contemplation of Dualities {vv. 724-765} [Ireland (excerpt) | Olendzki (excerpt) | Thanissaro]. Not all dualities are misleading. This sutta teaches ways to contemplate the duality of the origination and cessation of stress and suffering so as to reach Awakening.

IV. Atthaka Vagga — The Octet Chapter

• Kama Sutta (Sn IV.1) — Sensual Pleasure {vv. 766-771} [Thanissaro]. The drawbacks of sensual desires.
• Guhatthaka Sutta (Sn IV.2) — The Cave of the Body {vv. 772-779} [Thanissaro]. Those who remain attached to the body and to sensuality will have a hard time freeing themselves from fear of death and from further becoming.
• Dutthatthaka Sutta (Sn IV.3) — Corrupted {vv. 780-787} [Thanissaro]. Freedom isn't to be found by boasting of your precepts and practices or by debating your views.
• Suddhatthaka Sutta (Sn IV.4) — Pure {vv. 788-795} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. Although freedom is found by means of knowledge and meditation, in ultimate terms it lies beyond both.
• Paramatthaka Sutta (Sn IV.5) — Supreme {vv. 796-803} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. The conceit that comes from identifying with practices or views — even if they're supreme — is a fetter preventing full freedom.
• Jara Sutta (Sn IV.6) — Old Age {vv. 804-813} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. Life is short. Possessiveness brings grief. Freedom comes from abandoning any sense of mine.
• Tissa Metteyya Sutta (Sn IV.7) — Tissa Metteyya {vv. 814-823} [Thanissaro]. The drawbacks of falling away from the celibate life.
• Pasura Sutta (Sn IV.8) — To Pasura {vv. 824-834} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha points out the drawbacks of disputes, for winners and losers, alike.
• Magandiya Sutta (Sn IV.9) — To Magandiya {vv. 835-847} [Thanissaro]. Magandiya offers the Buddha his daughter in marriage. The Buddha refuses and further subdues Magandiya's pride by describing the attainment of highest purity in terms that Magandiya can't yet understand.
• Purabheda Sutta (Sn IV.10) — Before the Break-up of the Body {vv. 848-861} [Thanissaro]. What enables a person to live at peace?
• Kalaha-vivada Sutta (Sn IV.11) — Quarrels & Disputes {vv. 862-877} [Ireland | Thanissaro]. The Buddha is questioned on the source of quarrels and disputes, and on the highest level of spiritual attainment.
• Cula-viyuha Sutta (Sn IV.12) — The Lesser Array {vv. 878-894} [Thanissaro]. If there is one truth, how should a person behave in a world where many different truths are taught?
• Maha-viyuha Sutta (Sn IV.13) — The Great Array {vv. 895-914} [Thanissaro]. How to maintain freedom in a world full of disputes.
• Tuvataka Sutta (Sn IV.14) — Quickly {vv. 915-934} [Thanissaro]. A detailed description of the attitudes and behavior of a monk training for the sake of total liberation.
• Attadanda Sutta (Sn IV.15) — The Rod Embraced {vv. 935-954} [Ireland | Olendzki (excerpt) | Thanissaro]. The Buddha speaks in poignant terms of the samvega that led him to abandon the home life. He concludes with recommendations for practice and a description of the person who has attained the goal of true peace and security.
• Sariputta Sutta (Sn IV.16) — To Sariputta {vv. 955-975} [Thanissaro]. When a monk, disaffected with the world, takes up the life of seclusion, what fears should he overcome? How should he train to annihilate the darkness in his heart?

V. Parayanavagga — The Chapter on the Way to the Far Shore

• 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.