>> Sutta Piṭaka
— The discourses of one additional factor —
[ aṅg: factor | uttara: additional ]
[ aṅg: factor | uttara: additional ]
The Aṅguttara Nikāya contains thousands of short discourses, which have the particularity to be structured as enumerations. It is divided into eleven sections, the first dealing with enumerations of one item, the second with those of two items etc. The Buddha, having never made use of writing, asked his listeners to be attentive and to memorize his instructions. In order to make his words as clear as possible and to facilitate this memorization, he often presented his teaching in the form of enumerations.
| 1. | Ekaka Nipāta | 7. | Sattaka Nipāta | |
| 2. | Duka Nipāta | 8. | Aṭṭhaka Nipāta | |
| 3. | Tika Nipāta | 9. | Navaka Nipāta | |
| 4. | Catuka Nipāta | 10. | Dasaka Nipāta | |
| 5. | Pañcaka Nipāta | 11. | Ekādasaka Nipāta | |
| 6. | Chakka Nipāta |
- Rūpādi Vagga (AN 1.1-10) - word by word
- There are five types of sense objects that overpower the mind of (most) human beings more than any others.
- Nīvaraṇappahāna Vagga (AN 1.11-20) - word by word
- The five dhammas that nourish most efficiently the five hindrances, and the five most effective ways to dispell them.
- Akammaniya Vagga (AN 1.21-30) - word by word
- The mind can be our worst enemy or our best friend.
- Adanta Vagga (AN 1.31-40) - enhanced translation
- The mind can be our worst enemy or our best friend.
- Udakarahaka Suttas (AN 1.45 & 46) - enhanced translation
- The difference between a clear mind and a muddy one.
- Mudu Sutta (AN 1.47) - enhanced translation
- A simile for a mind that's pliant.
- Lahuparivatta Sutta (AN 1.48) - enhanced translation
- The Buddha, normally so adept at finding similes, is here at a loss.
- Accharāsaṅghāta Peyyāla (AN 1.53-55) - word by word
- Practicing goodwill makes one worthy of gifts.
- Kusala Suttas (AN 1.56-73) - word by word
- What produces and what eliminates wholesome and unwholesome mental states.
- Pamāda Suttas (AN 1.58-59) - enhanced translation
- Nothing is so disadvantageous as this.
- Pamādādi Vagga (AN 1.81-97) - word by word
- The Buddha repetedly warns us against heedlessness.
- Kāyagatāsati Vagga (AN 1.563-574) {excerpts} - enhanced translation
- The Buddha speaks in high praise of the mindfulness directed to the body.
- Appaṭivāna Sutta (AN 2.5) - enhanced translation
- How we ought to train ourselves if we wish to reach awakening.
- Cariya Sutta (AN 2.9) - enhanced translation
- What is it, after all, that guarantees harmony, politeness, honesty, brotherhood in a word peace within a given society? The Buddha explains here which are the two guardians of the world.
- Ekaṃsena Sutta (AN 2.18) - enhanced translation
- Here is one thing that the Buddha declares categorically.
- Vijjābhāgiya Sutta (AN 2.32) - word by word
- Here the Buddha relates Samatha with rāga and cetovimutti, and Vipassanā with avijjā and paññāvimutti.
- Kesamutti [aka Kālāmā] Sutta (AN 3.66) - word by word
- In this famous sutta, the Buddha reminds us to ultimately trust only our own direct experience of the reality, not what is declared by others, even if they happen to be our 'revered teacher'.
- Sāḷha Sutta (AN 3.67) - enhanced translation
- The advice given here is very similar to that given to the Kalamas.
- Aññatitthiya Sutta (AN 3.69) - enhanced translation
- The three roots of the unwholesome are explained with their respectve characteristic, the cause of their arising, and the way to bring about their cessation.
- Uposatha Sutta (AN 3.71) - enhanced translation
- In this sutta, the Buddha defines how lay people should practice Uposatha and describes the different types of devas.
- Sīlabbata Sutta (AN 3.79) - enhanced translation
- Ānanda explains by which very simple creteria rites and rituals can be judged as beneficial or not.
- Samaṇa Sutta (AN 3.82) - enhanced translation
- Here are the three ascetics tasks of an ascetic.
- Vajjiputta Sutta (AN 3.85) - enhanced translation
- A certain monk cannot train with so many rules. The Buddha explains him how he can do without them, and it works out rather well.
- Sikkhattaya Sutta (AN 3.90) - word by word
- The Buddha defines the three trainings, i.e. adhisīlasikkhā, adhicittasikkhā and adhipaññāsikkhā.
- Accāyika Sutta (AN 3.93) - enhanced translation
- Three urgent tasks of an ascetic which are like three urgent tasks of a farmer.
- Sikkhattaya Sutta (AN 3.91) - word by word
- Here the Buddha gives an alternate definition of adhipaññāsikkhā.
- Paṃsudhovaka Sutta (AN 3.102) - few info·bubbles
- In this sutta, the Buddha compares the removal of mental impurities through the practice to the work of a goldsmith. It is particularly interesting, because it provides a gradual exposition of the impurities one has to deal with during the practice, which gives an useful reference.
- Nimitta Sutta (AN 3.103) - few info·bubbles
- Do you find yourself nodding off or becoming overly agitated during your meditation practice? This is a very useful discourse for the meditators who wish to balance the two corresponding spiritual faculties of effort and concentration, together with equanimity. Many of us would benefit substantially from applying properly these instructions.
- Ruṇṇa Sutta (AN 3.108) - word by word
- Here the Buddha explains what is singing and dancing in the discipline of the noble ones, and then gives his instrunction regarding laughing and smiling.
- Atitti Sutta (AN 3.109) - enhanced translation
- Three wrong things, of which many are unfortunately fond, that can never bring about satiety.
- Nidāna Sutta (AN 3.112) - enhanced translation
- Six causes, three wholesome and three unwholesome, to the arising of kamma.
- Kammapatha Sutta (AN 3.164) - word by word
- It is demonstrated here that the view according to which there is nothing wrong in being non-vegetarian is erroneous.
- Yoga Sutta (AN 4.10) - enhanced translation
- What the Buddha means when he talks about yoga and yogakkhema (rest from the yoke).
- Padhāna Sutta (AN 4.13) - word by word
- In this sutta, the Buddha gives a definition of the sammappadhānas.
- Aparihāniya Sutta (AN 4.37) - enhanced translation
- Four simple practices that make one incapable of falling away, right in the presence of Nibbāna.
- Samādhibhāvanā Sutta (AN 4.41) - word by word
- The four types of concentration that the Buddha commends. It is quite obvious here that no clear distinction is made between samādhi and paññā.
- Vipallāsa Sutta (AN 4.49) - word by word
- In this sutta, the Buddha describes the fourfold distortion of saññā, citta and diṭṭhi.
- Appamāda Sutta (AN 4.116) - simple translation
- Four instances in which one should practice with assiduity.
- Ārakkha Sutta (AN 4.117) - simple translation
- Four things to be undertaken with assiduity, mindfulness while protecting the mind.
- Mettā Sutta (AN 4.125) - enhanced translation
- Here the Buddha explains what kind of rebirth one who thoroughly practices the four Brahmavihāras can expect, and the great advantage of being his disciple.
- Asubha Sutta (AN 4.163) - enhanced translation
- The four ways of practicing, according to the type of practice chosen and the intensity or weakness of strengths and spiritual factulties.
- Abhiññā Sutta (AN 4.254) - without translation
- How the Noble Path works with the abhiññā pertaining to various dhammas as a guest-house welcoming various kinds of visitors.
- Arañña Sutta (AN 4.262) - enhanced translation
- What sort of person is fit to live in the wilderness?
- Vitthata Sutta (AN 5.2) - without translation
- Here the Buddha defines in detail what he calls the five Sekha-balas (strenghs of one in training). This sutta is easily understandable without requiring a parallel translation, if you refer to the Satta saddhammā Formulae as will be suggested in the text. The Pali-English Dictionary is also available, just in case.
- Vitthata Sutta (AN 5.14) - word by word
- Here are defined the five balas.
- Samādhi Sutta (AN 5.27) - enhanced translation
- Five uplifting knowledges that occur to one who practices the boundless concentration.
- Akusalarāsi Sutta (AN 5.52) - enhanced translation
- Speaking rightly, what should be called 'accumulation of demerit'?
- Abhiṇhapaccavekkhitabbaṭhāna Sutta (AN 5.57) {excerpt} - word by word
- How to consider one's own kamma.
- Anāgatabhaya Sutta (AN 5.80) - enhanced translation
- The Buddha reminds the monks that the practice of Dhamma should not be put off for a later date, for there are no guarantees that the future will provide any opportunities for practice.
- Sekha Sutta (AN 5.89) - without translation
- The Buddha reminds us of five things that deteriorate the practice, which for anyone wishing to progress in the training are nearly as important to know about, remember and integrate into our lifestyles as the knowledge of the five standard nīvaraṇas.
- Sekha Sutta (AN 5.90) - enhanced translation
- Five attitudes that lead to the deterioration of the practice.
- Sutadhara Sutta (AN 5.96) - enhanced translation
- Five qualities the lead one practicing mindfulness of breathing to liberation in no long time.
- Kathā Sutta (AN 5.97) - enhanced translation
- Five qualities the lead one practicing mindfulness of breathing to liberation in no long time.
- Āraññaka Sutta (AN 5.98) - enhanced translation
- Five qualities the lead one practicing mindfulness of breathing to liberation in no long time.
- Andhakavinda Sutta (AN 5.114) - enhanced translation
- Five things that the Buddha exhorted his newly ordained monks to do.
- Samayavimutta Sutta (AN 5.149) - without translation
- Five conditions under which one who has gained 'occasional liberation' will backslide.
- Samayavimutta Sutta (AN 5.150) - without translation
- Another set of five conditions under which one who has gained 'occasional liberation' will backslide.
- Vaṇijjā Sutta (AN 5.177) - enhanced translation
- The Buddha specifies here five trades which should not be carried on by his lay followers, among which the business of meat.
- Gihī Sutta (AN 5.179) - enhanced translation
- In this sutta, the Buddha gives greater precision about the way in which the four usual sotāpattiyaṅgas have to be internalized in order to constitute the proper conditions for sotāpatti.
- Nissāraṇīya Sutta (AN 5.200) - enhanced translation
- This sutta declines five types of nissāraṇas.
- Yāgu Sutta (AN 5.207) - enhanced translation
- The Buddha gives five advantages of eating rice-gruel.
- Dantakaṭṭha Sutta (AN 5.208) - enhanced translation
- The Buddha gives five reasons to use a tooth-cleaner.
- Gītassara Sutta (AN 5.209) - word by word
- This sutta has been largely overlooked by the various buddhist traditions: the Buddha explains why he does not allow the bhikkhus to perform any melodic chanting.
- Muṭṭhassati Sutta (AN 5.210) - enhanced translation
- The disadvantages of falling asleep without proper sati and sampajañña, and the respective advantages of doing so with them.
- Duccarita Sutta (AN 5.241) - enhanced translation
- Five dangers of duccarita (bad conduct) and five advantages of sucarita (good conduct).
- Duccarita Sutta (AN 5.245) - enhanced translation
- Another sutta about the five dangers of duccarita and five advantages of sucarita.
- Sivathika Sutta (AN 5.249) - enhanced translation
- Five ways in which an ill-conducted person can be similar to a charnel ground where people throw dead bodies.
- Puggalappasāda Sutta (AN 5.250) - enhanced translation
- Here is a rare warning given by the Buddha about the dangers of placing confidence in anyone.
- Rāgassa abhiññāya Sutta (AN 5.303) - enhanced translation
- Five things to be practiced for the direct knowledge of rāga.
- Bhaddaka Sutta (AN 6.14) - few info·bubbles
- Sāriputta explains what makes the difference between a bhikkhu whose death will be unauspicious and one whose death will be auspicious.
- Anutappiya Sutta (AN 6.15) - few info·bubbles
- Sāriputta explains what makes the difference between a bhikkhu whose death will be remorseful and one whose death will be remorseless.
- Maraṇassati Sutta (AN 6.20) - enhanced translation
- This sutta explains in detail how to practice the mindfulness of death.
- Sāmaka Sutta (AN 6.21) - few info·bubbles
- Prompted by the intervention of a deva, the Buddha reveals the six ageless ways by which bhikkhus deteriorate in kusala dhammas.
- Aparihāniya Sutta (AN 6.22) - few info·bubbles
- Six dhammas connected to non-deterioration. Another set of very useful dhammas for keen practitioners.
- Himavanta Sutta (AN 6.24) - enhanced translation
- Six qualities undowed with which a meditator would reportedly break into pieces the Himalayas.
- Anussatiṭṭhāna Sutta (AN 6.25) - enhanced translation
- This sutta defines what are the six subjects of recollection.
- Sekha Sutta (AN 6.31) - without translation
- The Buddha explains which are the six dhammas leading to the deterioration of a bhikkhu under training.
- Nāgita Sutta (AN 6.42) - enhanced translation
- While dwelling in a forest grove, the Buddha speaks in praise of modesty, contentment, unentanglement, and seclusion in the wilderness.
- Dhammika Sutta (AN 6.54) - plain texts
- In this sutta, the word tathāgata is not used to designate the Buddha but in the common sense, which allows us a better grasp of its meaning.
- Nibbedhika Sutta (AN 6.63) - plain texts
- This sutta provides an interesting systematic analysis of Kāma, Vedanā, Saññā, Āsavā, Kamma and Dukkha. Each of these terms is defined and then described witht the pattern of the four ariya-saccas.
- Anavatthitā Sutta (AN 6.102) - enhanced translation
- Six rewards that should act as a motivation for establishing the perception of anicca.
- Atammaya Sutta (AN 6.104) - enhanced translation
- Six rewards that should act as a motivation for establishing the perception of anatta.
- Assāda Sutta (AN 6.112) - enhanced translation
- How to eradicate the view of enjoyment, the view of self, and wrong view in general.
- Dhammānupassī Sutta (AN 6.118) - word by word
- It is worth having repeated the message given in this sutta: six habits without abandoning which it is not possible to practice the satipaṭṭhānas properly. Quite some cleaning may be advisable here.
- Anusaya Sutta (AN 7.11) - plain texts
- Here are listed the seven anusayas.
- Anusaya Sutta (AN 7.12) - enhanced translation
- On abandoning the seven anusaya (obsessions or latent tendencies).
- Saññā Sutta (AN 7.27) - enhanced translation
- Seven perceptions that lead to the long-term welfare of the bhikkhus and prevent their decline.
- Parihāni Sutta (AN 7.28) - enhanced translation
- Seven points on which a bhikkhu in training may decline or not.
- Parihāni Sutta (AN 7.29) - enhanced translation
- Seven points of behavior on which a lay follower may decline or not.
- Vipatti Sutta (AN 7.30) - enhanced translation
- Seven points of behavior on which a lay follower may meet his/her failure or success.
- Parābhava Sutta (AN 7.31) - enhanced translation
- Seven points of behavior on which a lay follower may meet his/her ruin or prosperity.
- Saññā Sutta (AN 7.49) - enhanced translation
- Seven inner reflections that are well worth pursuing.
- Nagaropama Sutta (AN 7.67) - plain texts with Pali Formulae
- Here the Buddha uses an enlightening simile to explain how seven good qualities that should be mastered by the trainee in order to be successful work together to prevent the troops of Māra (ie. akusala dhammas) from entering the fortress of the mind.
- Satthusāsana Sutta (AN 7.83) - word by word
- Here is a very concise sevenfold instruction to discriminate what is the Teaching of the Buddha from what is not.
- Nanda Sutta (AN 8.9) {excerpt} - word by word
- The Buddha describes how Nanda, though being prey to fierce sense desire, practices throroughly in accordance to his instructions. This sutta contains a definition of satisampajañña.
- Mahānāma Sutta (AN 8.25) {excerpt} - word by word
- Mahānāma asks the Buddha to define what is a lay follower and in what respect a lay follower is expected to be virtuous.
- Anuruddhamahāvitakka Sutta (AN 8.30) - few info·bubbles
- Seven wise thoughts which are truly worth understanding and remembering occur to ven. Anuruddha. The Buddha comes to him to teach him the eighth, endowed with which he will attain arahantship. The Buddha then explains in detail the meaning of those thoughts.
- Abhisanda Sutta (AN 8.39) - enhanced translation
- Here are eight ways in which all serious disciples of the Buddha create much merit for themselves.
- Duccaritavipāka Sutta (AN 8.40) - few info·bubbles
- This sutta describes the kind of suffering which one undergoes owing to the non observance of the main precepts.
- Saṅkhitta Sutta (AN 8.53) - word by word
- The Buddha gives here to his former nurse eight criteria to discriminate whether a given statement belongs to his teaching or not, which may happen to be handy nowadays.
- Dīghajāṇu Sutta (AN 8.54) {excerpt} - plain texts
- Among other things, the Buddha defines in this sutta what he means by generosity.
- Vimokkha Sutta (AN 8.66) - enhanced translation
- An explanation of the eight vimokkhas (liberations).
- Parihāna Sutta (AN 8.79) - without translation
- The Buddha explains which are the eight dhammas leading to the deterioration of a bhikkhu under training.
- Nāga Sutta (AN 9.40) - plain texts
- This sutta, colored with subtle humor, explains how a bhikkhu of heightened mind is comparable to a solitary elephant, both of whom are usually called Nāga.
- Tapussa Sutta (AN 9.41) {excerpt} - plain texts
- Here saññā·vedayita·nirodha, the cessation of saññā and vedanā is presented as a ninth jhāna.
- Sikkhādubbalya Sutta (AN 9.63) - word by word
- What to do if one is not yet perfect in the five precepts.
- Nīvaraṇa Sutta (AN 9.64) - word by word
- How to remove the five hindrances.
- Saṃyojana Sutta (AN 10.13) - plain texts
- This very short sutta lists the ten saṃyojanas.
- Kasiṇa Sutta (AN 10.25) - word by word
- This is the standard description of the practice on the ten kasiṇas.
- Girimānanda Sutta (AN 10.60) - enhanced translation
- In order to help Girimānanda recovering from a grave illness, the Buddha gives a great teaching reviewing ten types of very useful perceptions that can be developped.
- Kathāvatthu Sutta (AN 10.69) {excerpt} - plain texts
- The Buddha reminds the bhikkhus what they should not talk about and what they should talk about.
- Cunda Sutta (AN 10.176) - some info·bubbles
- The buddha explains a deeper meaning of purity, in kāya, vācā and mana, not in rites or rituals and demonstrates that the former underlies the latter, whose inefficiency is made obvious.
- 30/03/2555
Mettā Sutta (AN 11.15) - few info·bubbles - Eleven good results that come out of the practice of mettā.
