Samyutta Nikaya The Grouped Discourses

SN 22.3: Haliddakani Sutta — To Haliddakani

Ven. Maha Kaccana explains to a householder what it means to live as a monk, free of society, free of sensual passion, free of yearning, and free of quarreling.

SN 22.5: Samadhi Sutta — Concentration

How the development of concentration leads to discernment.

SN 22.7: Upaadaaparitassanaa Sutta — Grasping and Worry

The Buddha describes how ideas about the self lead to worry, and how to be free of such worry.

SN 22.22: Bhāra Sutta — The Burden

The Buddha describes the burdens we carry, and how to cast them off.

SN 22.23: Pariñña Sutta — Comprehension

True comprehension means the end of passion, aversion, and delusion.

SN 22.36: Bhikkhu Sutta — The Monk

How we define ourselves in terms of the aggregates, and how we don't have to do so.

SN 22.39: Anudhamma Sutta — In Accordance with the Dhamma (1)

Towards the end of his life, the Buddha stated that the proper way to pay homage to him was to "practice the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma." This sutta explains what that means, in terms of cultivating disenchantment (nibbida). [TB]

SN 22.40: Anudhamma Sutta — In Accordance with the Dhamma (2)

Towards the end of his life, the Buddha stated that the proper way to pay homage to him was to "practice the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma." This sutta explains what that means, in terms of focusing on inconstancy (anicca). [TB]

SN 22.41: Anudhamma Sutta — In Accordance with the Dhamma (3)

Towards the end of his life, the Buddha stated that the proper way to pay homage to him was to "practice the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma." This sutta explains what that means, in terms of focusing on stress/suffering (dukkha). [TB]

SN 22.42: Anudhamma Sutta — In Accordance with the Dhamma (4)

Towards the end of his life, the Buddha stated that the proper way to pay homage to him was to "practice the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma." This sutta explains what that means, in terms of focusing on not-self (anatta). [TB]

SN 22.43: Attadiipaa Sutta — An Island to Oneself

Presaging the famous words he would utter in his final days, the Buddha elaborates on his advice to "be an island unto yourself."

SN 22.47: Samanupassana Sutta/Samanupassanaa Sutta — Assumptions/Ways of Regarding

The Buddha speaks on the assumptions that underlie self-view.

SN 22.48: Khandha Sutta — Aggregates

The Buddha gives a summary of the teaching on the five aggregates.

SN 22.49: So.no Sutta — So.na

How can you tell when you're seeing things as they really are?

SN 22.53: Upaya Sutta — Attached

When passion for each of the five aggregates is completely abandoned, Awakening ensues.

SN 22.54: Bija Sutta — Means of Propagation

This sutta is nearly identical to the preceding one (SN 22.53), and illustrates the same point with a striking image.

SN 22.55: Udana Sutta — Exclamation

What does it take to break free of the five lower fetters?

SN 22.56: Parivatta Sutta — The (Fourfold) Round

Awakening results from direct knowledge of the "fourfold round" with respect to the aggregates (i.e., knowledge of the aggregate, its origination, its cessation, and the path leading to its cessation).

SN 22.57: Sattatthana Sutta — Seven Bases

The Buddha explains how one becomes an arahant through mastery of the seven-fold skill of analyzing the five aggregates.

SN 22.58: Buddha Sutta — Awakened

Some schools of Buddhism teach that there is a qualitative difference between the liberation of a Buddha and that of an arahant disciple — namely, that a Buddha awakens to one level of truth, whereas an arahant awakens to another. This sutta shows that the Buddha saw the distinction in different terms. [TB]

SN 22.59: Anatta-lakkhana Sutta/Pañcavaggi Sutta — The Discourse on the Not-self Characteristic/Five Brethren

The Buddha's second discourse, in which he discusses the principle of anatta (not-self) with the group of five ascetics. By means of a question-and-answer dialogue with his audience, the Buddha demonstrates that there can be no abiding self in any of the five aggregates that we tend to identify as "self." The sutta illustrates the Buddha's skillfulness as teacher: at the end of the discourse, all five monks attain full Awakening.

SN 22.60: Mahali Sutta — To Mahali

The Buddha points out that attachment to things comes from paying more attention to the pleasure they give than to the stress and pain (dukkha) they cause. By turning your attention to the dukkha, however, you can gain release.

SN 22.63: Upaadiyamaano Sutta — Clinging

Cling to anything at all, and you are in bondage to Mara.

SN 22.79: Khajjaniya Sutta — Chewed Up

How to gain release from identification with the five aggregates.

SN 22.80: Pindolya Sutta/Pi.n.dolya.m Sutta — Almsgoers/Going Begging

A monk who is half-hearted in his meditation misses out on the rewards of both lay life and monastic life.

SN 22.81: Parileyyaka Sutta — At Parileyyaka

Despite having heard many teachings from the Buddha, a monk still wonders how to bring his meditation practice to a speedy conclusion. The Buddha explains that the goal can be reached by a deep understanding of the five aggregates.

SN 22.83: Ananda Sutta — Ananda

Ven. Ananda recalls the teachings that led him to stream-entry.

SN 22.84: Tissa Sutta/Tisso Sutta — Tissa/Tissa the Waverer

Ven. Tissa, mired in laziness, receives a wake-up call from the Buddha.

SN 22.85: Yamaka Sutta — To Yamaka

Ven. Yamaka claims that when an arahant dies, he/she is utterly annihilated. Ven. Sariputta pulls him out of this wrong view, and in so doing leads him to Awakening.

SN 22.86: Anuradha Sutta/Anuraadho Sutta — To Anuradha/Anuraadha is Caught Out

Ven. Anuradha learns that if you can't even locate the Tathagata in space when he's sitting right in front of you, how can you ever hope to answer questions about his fate after death?

SN 22.87: Vakkali Sutta — Vakkali

The Buddha gives an ailing Ven. Vakkali a timeless teaching: "He who sees Dhamma, sees me."

SN 22.89: Khemaka Sutta/Khemo Sutta — About Khemaka/Khemaka

Although dis-identification with the five aggregates is necessary for becoming a noble disciple, full Awakening calls for even more.

SN 22.90: Channa Sutta — To Channa

Ven. Channa, formerly the bodhisattha's horseman, receives a teaching on dis-identification with the five aggregates.

SN 22.93: Nadi Sutta — The River

The Buddha explains that a person who incorrectly takes the five aggregates to be "self" is like a person swept away by a swift river, who grasps in vain at the passing trees and branches.

SN 22.95: Phena Sutta — Foam

The Buddha invokes a series of vivid similes to illustrate the voidness of the five aggregates.

SN 22.97: Nakhasikha Sutta — The Tip of the Fingernail

Not even the slightest trace of the aggregates is exempt from stress and suffering.

SN 22.99: Gaddula Sutta — The Leash (1)

SN 22.100: Gaddula Sutta — The Leash (2)

Those who don't penetrate the not-self nature of the five aggregates are doomed to go round and round in circles, like a dog tied to a post.

SN 22.101: Nava Sutta — The Ship

The Buddha explains that Awakening comes about not by wishful thinking, but only through deliberate effort.

SN 22.109: Sotaapanno Sutta — The Sotaapanna ('Stream-winner')

What is a Stream-winner?

SN 22.110: Araha.m Sutta — The Arahant

What is an Arahant?

SN 22.121: Upadana Sutta — Clinging

What are the phenomena to which we cling? Answer: each one of the five aggregates.

SN 22.122: Silavant Sutta — Virtuous

Ven. Sariputta explains how every meditator, from beginner to arahant, should contemplate the five aggregates (khandha).

23. Radha-samyutta — Ven. Radha

SN 23.2: Satta Sutta — A Being

The Buddha invokes a dramatic simile to explain how to dismantle attachment to the five aggregates.

24. Ditthi-samyutta — Views

25. Okkanta-samyutta — Entering

In this samyutta the Buddha explains the kinds of conviction and understanding that are required for the attainment of stream-entry. These short suttas share an identical structure, with each one focusing on a different aspect of experience (including the six senses, the six elements (dhatu), and the five aggregates). See also the Study Guides on stream-entry.

SN 25.1: Cakkhu Sutta — The Eye

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of the six senses can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.2: Rupa Sutta — Forms

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of sense objects can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.3: Viññana Sutta — Consciousness

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of sense consciousness can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.4: Phassa Sutta — Contact.

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of contact can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.5: Vedana Sutta — Feeling

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of feeling can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.6: Sañña Sutta — Perception

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of perception can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.7: Cetana Sutta — Intention

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of intentions can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.8: Tanha Sutta — Craving

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of craving can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.9: Dhatu Sutta — Properties

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of the six elements (earth, liquid, fire, wind, space, and consciousness) can lead to stream-entry.

SN 25.10: Khandha Sutta — Aggregates.

How conviction in, and understanding of, inconstancy of the five aggregates can lead to stream-entry.

26. Uppada-samyutta — Arising

27. Kilesa-samyutta — Defilements

SN 27.1-10: Upakkilesa Samyutta — Defilements

These ten suttas explain why it is worth abandoning desire that is associated with: (1) the six sense bases; (2) their objects; (3) consciousness; (4) contact; (5) feeling; (6) perception; (7) intentions; (8) craving; (9) the six elements (earth, liquid, fire, wind, space, and consciousness); and (10) the five aggregates.

28. Sariputta-samyutta — Ven. Sariputta

29. Naga-samyutta — Nagas

30. Supanna-samyutta — Garudas

31. Gandhabbakaya-samyutta — Gandhabba devas

32. Valahaka-samyutta — Rain-cloud devas

33. Vacchagotta-samyutta — Ven. Vacchagotta

34. Jhana-samyutta — Concentration

Salayatana Vagga — The Section on the Six Sense Bases

35. Salayatana-samyutta — The six senses

SN 35.23: Sabba Sutta — The All

What is the "All"?

SN 35.24: Pahanaya Sutta — To Be Abandoned

What, exactly, is it that we must let go of?

SN 35.28: Adittapariyaya Sutta — The Fire Sermon

Several months after his Awakening, the Buddha delivers this sermon to an audience of 1,000 fire-worshipping ascetics. The Buddha uses the metaphor of fire to illustrate the nature of clinging. Upon hearing the sermon, the entire audience attains full Awakening.

SN 35.63: Migajala Sutta/Migajaalena Sutta — To Migajala/Migajaala

Why is true solitude so hard to find? The Buddha explains why, no matter where you go, your most annoying companions always tag along.

SN 35.69: Upasena Sutta — Upasena

Ven. Upasena, mortally wounded by a venomous snake, remains perfectly composed as he utters his dying words to Ven. Sariputta.

SN 35.74: Gilana Sutta — Ill (1)

An ailing monk attains stream-entry when the Buddha engages him in a dialogue about not-self.

SN 35.75: Gilana Sutta — Ill (2)

An ailing monk attains arahatship when the Buddha engages him in a dialogue about not-self.

SN 35.80: Avijja Sutta — Ignorance

What one thing must be abandoned in order to overcome ignorance?

SN 35.82: Loka Sutta — The World

The Buddha explains how all things in the world share one inevitable and unfortunate characteristic. Do you want to remain bound to a world like this?

SN 35.85: Suñña Sutta — Empty

The Buddha explains to Ven. Ananda in what way the world is devoid of anything that can rightly be called "self."

SN 35.88: Punna Sutta — To Punna

What would you do with your mind while you're being beaten and stabbed? Consider the Buddha's advice to Punna.

SN 35.93: Dvaya Sutta — A Pair

On the arising of sense-consciousness.

SN 35.95: Malunkyaputta Sutta/Maalunkyaputta Sutta — To Malunkyaputta/Maalunkyaputta

An aging Ven. Malunkyaputta receives from the Buddha a short teaching regarding dispassion towards the senses ("In reference to the seen, there will be only the seen..."), and soon thereafter becomes an arahant.

SN 35.97: Pamadaviharin Sutta — Dwelling in Heedlessness

The benefits of living with heedfulness (appamada).

SN 35.99: Samadhi Sutta — Concentration

The Buddha recommends concentration practice as a way to develop discernment.

SN 35.101: Na Tumhaka Sutta — Not Yours

Do you usually think of "grass" or "leaves" as being "you"? Of course not. In the same way, the sense of "self" cannot be found anywhere within the realm of the senses.

SN 35.115: Marapasa Sutta — Mara's Power

The Buddha explains that once one is completely freed from chasing after sense pleasures, one is then finally safe from Mara.

SN 35.120: Sariputto Sutta — Sariputta

Ven. Sariputta's advice on how to guard the sense-doors, be moderate in eating, and remain steadfast in heedfulness.

SN 35.127: Bharadvaja Sutta/Bhaaradvaajo Sutta — About Bharadvaja/Bhaaradvaaja Instructs a King

Ven. Pindola Bharadvaja explains to a king how to maintain one's resolve towards celibacy.

SN 35.132: Lohicco Sutta — Lohicca

Ven. Mahakaccana's advice on guarding the sense doors.

SN 35.133: Verahaccaani Sutta — Verahaccaani

For one withholding respect for the Dhamma, Ven. Udayi withholds a Dhamma teaching.

SN 35.135: Khana Sutta — The Opportunity

This human realm — neither too pleasurable nor too painful — is the best place to practice Dhamma.

SN 35.145: Kamma Sutta/Kamma.m Sutta — Action/Kamma

The Buddha explains how the results of "old" kamma (the actions we performed in the past) and "new" kamma (the ones we perform now) are both experienced in the present.

SN 35.152: Atthinukhopariyaayo Sutta — Is There a Criterion?

The Buddha offers a method for ascertaining whether one has attained enlightenment.

SN 35.153: Indriya Sutta — Faculties

A monk asks the Buddha: "What does it mean to be 'consummate in faculties'"?

SN 35.187: Samuddo (1) Sutta — The Ocean (1)

What does it mean to cross over the ocean of the six senses?

SN 35.189: Balisika Sutta — The Fisherman

How to avoid getting caught, like a fish, on Mara's hooks.

SN 35.191: Kotthita Sutta/Ko.t.thiko Sutta — To Kotthita/Ko.t.thika

Ven. Sariputta explains to Ven. Maha Kotthita that our problem lies neither in the senses themselves nor in the objects to which the senses cling. Suffering comes from the passion that arises in dependence on both.

SN 35.193: Udayin Sutta — With Udayin

Since none of the five aggregates can arise on their own, independent of their objects, how can we identify any one of them as "self"?

SN 35.197: Asivisa Sutta — Vipers

The Buddha uses some vivid imagery to illustrate the life-and-death urgency of Dhamma practice.

SN 35.199: Kumma Sutta — The Tortoise

If we guard the senses wisely, as a tortoise guards against attack by withdrawing into the safety of its shell, we are safely out of Mara's reach.

SN 35.200: Daruka-khandha Sutta — The Log

A lowly cowherd overhears the Buddha speak of the many hazards that lurk in the stream to Nibbana. He takes it to heart and soon succeeds in reaching the goal.

SN 35.202: Avassuta Sutta — Soggy

How to guard your concentration against Mara's onslaughts.

SN 35.203: Dukkhadhammaa Sutta — Things Productive of Suffering

One practiced in sense restraint dispels evil states just as water drops evaporate from a hot iron pot.

SN 35.204: Kimsuka Sutta/Ki.msukaa Sutta — The Riddle Tree/The 'What's It' Tree (Ki.msuka)

The Buddha explains how tranquillity (samatha) and insight (vipassana) function together as a "swift pair of messengers" to guide the meditator onwards to Nibbana.

SN 35.205: Vina Sutta/Vii.naa Sutta — The Lute

The heart of insight (vipassana): When you take apart a lute in search of its music, what do you find? When you take apart the five aggregates in search of "self," what do you find?

SN 35.206: Chappana Sutta/Chapaa.na Sutta — The Six Animals

The Buddha explains how training the mind is like keeping six unruly animals tied together on a leash.

SN 35.207: Yavakalapi Sutta — The Sheaf of Barley

This sutta, though disjointed, offers some fine similes to illustrate the mind's tendency to create suffering for itself.

36. Vedana-samyutta — Feeling

SN 36.1: Samadhi Sutta — Concentration

How an understanding of feeling leads to Nibbana.

SN 36.2: Sukha Sutta — Happiness

How an understanding of feeling leads to the ending of passion.

SN 36.3: Pahana Sutta — Giving Up

True freedom is found by abandoning the mind's underlying habitual tendencies (anusaya).

SN 36.4: Patala Sutta — The Bottomless Pit/The Bottomless Chasm

The Buddha teaches that by meeting intense physical pain with mindfulness, we can spare ourselves from falling into a bottomless pit of anguish and suffering.

SN 36.5: Datthabba Sutta — To Be Known

Behind even the happiest and most pleasant of feelings lurks a persistent pain that can, through practice, be overcome.

SN 36.6: Sallatha Sutta — The Dart/The Arrow

When shot by the arrow of physical pain, an unwise person makes matters worse by piling mental anguish on top of it, just as if he had been shot by two arrows. A wise person feels the sting of one arrow alone.

SN 36.7: Gelañña Sutta — At the Sick Room (1)/The Sick Ward (1)

The Buddha visits a sick ward, and offers advice to the monks on how to approach death with mindfulness.

SN 36.8: Gelañña Sutta — At the Sick Room (2)

(This sutta is nearly identical to the preceding one, except here the feeling of pleasure, etc., is said to be dependent on contact rather than on the body.)

SN 36.9: Anicca Sutta — Impermanent

The impermanence of feeling.

SN 36.10: Phassamulaka Sutta — Rooted in Sense-impression

How sense-impression gives rise to feeling.

SN 36.11: Rahogata Sutta — Secluded/Alone

The Buddha explains how the practice of jhāna leads to progressive stages of cessation and stillness. Only when the defilements are finally extinguished, however, is true peace and stillness achieved.

SN 36.12: Akasa Sutta — In the Sky (1)

Feelings rise and fall, like winds blowing across the skies.

SN 36.13: Akasa Sutta — In the Sky (2)

[This sutta repeats the prose section of the preceding sutta, without the verse.]

SN 36.14: Agara Sutta — The Guest House

Feelings come and go, like house-guests.

SN 36.15: Santaka Sutta — To Ananda (1)

The Buddha explains to Ven. Ananda the origin of, danger in, and escape from feeling.

SN 36.16: Santaka Sutta — To Ananda

[The Buddha puts to Ven. Ananda the same questions as in the preceding sutta, and answers them in the same way.]

SN 36.17-18: Atthaka Sutta — Eightfold (1 & 2)

[In these two suttas the same questions and answers found in SN 36.15 are repeated in the case of "many monks."]

SN 36.19: Pañcakanga Sutta — Carpenter Fivetools/With Pañcakanga

The Buddha describes the many kinds of happiness that can be experienced through sustained practice. Which kind of happiness do you seek?

SN 36.20: Bhikkhu Sutta — Monks

[This discourse, addressed to some bhikkhus, repeats the main part of the preceding sutta, without its introductory section.]

SN 36.21: Sivaka Sutta — To Sivaka

The Buddha explains that present experience cannot be described solely in terms of the results of past actions (kamma).

SN 36.22: Atthasatapariyaya Sutta/Atthasata Sutta — One Hundred Eight Feelings/The One-hundred-and-eight Exposition

A summary and enumeration of the different ways that the Buddha has analyzed feeling (hint: 3x6x6=108).

SN 36.23: Bhikkhu Sutta — To a Certain Bhikkhu

A discussion of the ways that feeling must be understood in order to gain freedom from attachment to feeling. Includes an interesting reference to craving as an unskillful "path of practice."

SN 36.30: Suddhikavedana Sutta — Purified of Feeling

One of the shortest suttas in the Tipitaka. In its entirety it reads: "Bhikkhus, there are these three feelings. What three? Pleasant feeling, unpleasant feeling, and neither-painful-nor-pleasant feeling."

SN 36.31: Niramisa Sutta — Unworldly/Not of the Flesh

The Buddha describes the various grades of potential happiness and freedom, ranging from the worldly to the transcendent.

37. Matugama-samyutta — Destinies of women

SN 37.4: Vaddha Sutta — Growth

This brief sutta, which encourages education for women, may account for the fact that in the pre-modern world Theravada Buddhist countries had the highest rates of female literacy. [TB]