Sutta-Nipāta Series

Last updated on April 13, 2008
A Study of the
Sutta-Nipāta
Taught by Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi

The Sutta-Nipāta contains some of the oldest discourses in the Pali Canon. It is a rich source of texts offering guidance to lay Buddhists and also abounds in suttas that extol the contemplative ideals of early Buddhism. Though the Sutta-Nipāta as a collection exists only in the Theravada tradition, some of the individual suttas are found in other traditions. One whole chapter, the Aṭṭhakavagga, is also found in the Chinese Tripiṭaka.

In this series of lectures given at Bodhi Monastery beginning in October 2004, Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi explains suttas from the first three chapters. The first three suttas studied, the Ratana, Mahāmaṅgala, and Mettā Suttas, are among the most popular texts in Theravada Buddhism. They provide the backbone of understanding, practice, and attitude in the Theravada Buddhist world and are often taught to lay people so that they will grow up imbibing the values and ideals of Buddhism. They also serve as paritta suttas (“Protective Discourses”), recited to provide blessings and protection in times of difficulty and danger. The first discourse on the Ratana Sutta also gives a good introduction to the Sutta-Nipāta in general and its place and history in the Sutta Pitaka.

Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi will continue the lectures in the spring of 2008.

Text: The Sutta-Nipāta, translated by Ven. Dr. H. Saddhatissa (Curzon Press, 1994, ISBN 0-7007-0181-8, first published in 1985).

The Paritta (Protective) Suttas

Sn001
Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels
Document:
The Jewels Discourse
Sn002
Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels (part 2)
 
Sn003
Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels (part 3)
 
Sn004
Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels (part 4)
 
Sn005
Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance
Document:
Thirty-Eight Blessings
Sn006
Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 2)
 
Sn007
Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 3)
 
Sn008
Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 4)
 
Sn009
Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 5)
 
Sn010
Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 6)
 
Sn011
Sn 1.8 Mettā Sutta — Loving-kindness
Document:
Metta Sutta
Sn012
Sn 1.8 Mettā Sutta — Loving-kindness (part 2)
 

Uragavagga: the Chapter of the Snake

Sn013
Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake's Skin
 
Sn014
Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake's Skin (part 2)
 
Sn015
Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake's Skin (part 3)
 
Sn016
Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake's Skin (part 4)
 
Sn017
Sn 1.4 Kasībhāradvāja Sutta — The farmer Bhāradvāja
 
Sn018
Sn 1.6 Parābhava Sutta — Downfall
 
Sn019
Sn 1.6 Parābhava Sutta — Downfall (part 2)
 
Sn020
Sn 1.7 Vasala Sutta — The Outcast
 
Sn021
Sn 1.9 Hemavata Suttra — Sātāgira and Hemavata
 
Sn022
Sn 1.9 Hemavata Suttra — Sātāgira and Hemavata (part 2)
 
Sn023
Sn 1.9 Hemavata Suttra — Sātāgira and Hemavata (part 3)
 
Sn024
Sn 1.10 Āḷavaka Sutta — Āḷavaka
 
Sn025
Sn 1.10 Āḷavaka Sutta — Āḷavaka (part 2)
 
Sn026
Sn 1.11 Vijaya Sutta — Victory over Delusion
 
Sn027
Sn 1.12 Muni Sutta — The Sage
 
Sn028
Sn 1.12 Muni Sutta — The Sage (part 2)
 
Sn029
Sn 1.12 Muni Sutta — The Sage (part 3)
 

Cūḷavagga: the Minor Chapter

Sn030
Sn 2.3 Hiri Sutta — Shame
 
Sn031
Sn 2.5 Sūciloma Sutta — Sūciloma
 
Sn032
Sn 2.9 Kiṃsīla Sutta — Right Conduct
 
Sn033
Sn 2.11 Rāhula Sutta — Rāhula
 
Sn034
Sn 2.11 Rāhula Sutta — Rāhula (part 2)
 

Mahāvagga: the Great Chapter

Sn035
Sn 3.1 Pabbajjā Sutta — The Going Forth
 
Sn036
Sn 3.2 Padhāna Sutta — On Striving
 
Sn037
Sn 3.3 Subhāsita Sutta — Good Words
 
Sn038
Sn 3.4 Pūraḷāsa Sutta — The Sacrificial Cake
 
Sn039
Sn 3.8 Salla Sutta — The Dart
 
Sn040
Sn 3.8 Salla Sutta — The Dart (part 2)
 

 

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©2008 Bhikkhu Bodhi