Suttas
This section contains links to original renditions of texts from the Sutta Pitaka (Basket of discourses). This is the only complete collection of early Buddhist texts which survive in a Middle-Indo Aryan language (called Pali). It is the closest thing we can get to what the historical figure known as the Buddha taught.
The texts of the Sutta Pitaka are famously repetitive and wordy. They do not read like natural dialogue and this makes them less accessible. The renditions here are meant to present an idiomatic, plain English reading, with little or no repetition. Thus I am focusing on readability and conciseness. My goal is to present texts which read more or less like a piece of dialogue from a modern novel.
Turning the Dharma wheel
One of the key discourses of the Buddha, where he introduces the key teaching of the “four noble truths”.Not Self
The Buddha introduces another one of his key teachings, not-self (anatta).On Fire
A short teaching on the nature of the senses.Analysis of the Path
The eightfold path is explained.Mindfulness of Breathing
The Buddha’s main teaching on breath meditation.Mindfulness of the Body
Buddha teaches the meditations on mindfulness of the body.Four Ways of Mindfulness
An overview of the four main ways to do mindfulness meditation.A Short Talk with Mālunkya
The Buddha discusses why he has left several questions unanswered.Kaccānagotta
An important short teaching on the nature of reality and existence.A Honey Cake
The Buddha explains how overthinking leads to suffering.Foam
A teaching on how the true nature of all things is to be seen as empty.The Kalamas
A teaching on the sources of knowledge and on how to think about the afterlife.The Root of Everything
The Buddha explains how different types of persons perceive their reality in different ways.Wishing
The Buddha outlines how the path naturally proceeds step by step.To Prince Bodhi
The Buddha tells the story of his spiritual search and awakening.All the Poisons
A discourse on the various ways to work with the poisons which afflict the mind.Anathapindika’s Death
Sariputta gives a dying householder a concise but high level teaching.Two Kinds of Thought
The Buddha teaches on how to think about our own thoughts.