Majjhima Nikaya

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The Majjhima Nikaya ("Collection of Middle-length Discourses") is the second of the five nikayas (collections) in the Sutta Pitaka. This nikaya consists of 152 discourses by the Buddha and his chief disciples, which together constitute a comprehensive body of teaching concerning all aspects of the Buddha's teachings.

Vaggas
Majjhima Nikaya consists of 152 discourses, grouped into 15 vaggas (groups) :

Mulapariyaya-Vagga

 * 1) Mulapariyaya Sutta (1) How states of consciousness originate.
 * 2) Sabbasava Sutta (2) On the elimination of the cankers.
 * 3) Dhammadayada Sutta (3) Exhorting the Bhikkhus to realize the importance of the Dhamma and the non-importance of their physical wants.
 * 4) Bhayabherava Sutta (4) On braving the fears and terrors of the forest. Also the Buddha's account of his Enlightenment.
 * 5) Anangana Sutta (5) A dialogue between Sariputta and Moggallana on the attainment of freedom from depravity.
 * 6) Akankheyya Sutta (6) On those things for which a bhikkhu may wish.
 * 7) Vatthupama Sutta (7) The parable of the soiled cloth and the defiled mind.
 * 8) Sallekha Sutta (8) On the elimination of self and false views.
 * 9) Sammaditthi Sutta (9) A discourse by Sariputta on right views.
 * 10) Satipatthana Sutta (10) The same as Digha Number 22, but without the explanation of the 4 Truths.

Sihanada-Vagga

 * 1) Culasihanada Sutta (11).
 * 2) Mahasihanada Sutta (12) The short and the long "challenge" suttas. On the foolishness of ascetical practices.
 * 3) Mahadukkhakkhandha Sutta (13).
 * 4) Culadukkhakkhandha Sutta (14) The long and the short stories of suffering.
 * 5) Anumana Sutta (15) By Moggallana, on the value of introspection. (There is no reference to the Buddha throughout).
 * 6) Cetokhila Sutta (16) On the five mental bondages.
 * 7) Vanapattha Sutta (17) On the advantages and disadvantages of the forest life.
 * 8) Madhupindika Sutta (18) The Buddha gives a brief outline of his Teaching, which Kacchana elaborates.
 * 9) Dvedhavitakka Sutta (19) The Parable of the lure of sensuality. Repetition of the Enlightenment as in (4).
 * 10) Vitakkasanthana Sutta (20) Method of meditation to dispel undesirable thoughts.

Tatiya-Vagga

 * 1) Kakacupama Sutta (21) The simile of the saw. On the control of the feelings and the mind under the most severe provocation.
 * 2) Alagaddupama Sutta (22) Simile of the water-snake. Holding wrong views of the Dhamma is like seizing a snake by the tail.
 * 3) Vammika Sutta (23) The simile of the smouldering ant-hill as the human body.
 * 4) Rathavinita Sutta (24) Punna explains the purpose of the holy life to Sariputta.
 * 5) Nivapa Sutta (25) Parable of Mara as a sower or hunter laying baits for the deer.
 * 6) Ariyapariyesana Sutta (26) The Noble Quest. The Buddha's account of his renunciation, search, and his attainment of Enlightenment.
 * 7) Culahatthipadopama Sutta (27) The short "Elephant's trail" simile.
 * 8) Mahahatthipadopama Sutta (28) The long "Elephant's trail" simile.
 * 9) Mahasaropama Sutta (29) On the danger of gain, honour and fame. Said to have been delivered when Devadatta left the Order.
 * 10) Culasaropama Sutta (30) Development of the preceding sutta. On attaining the essence of the Dhamma.

Mahayamaka-Vagga

 * 1) Culagosinga Sutta (31) A conversation of the Buddha with three bhikkhus, who relate their attainments to him.
 * 2) Mahagosinga Sutta (32) A conversation between six bhikkhus who discuss what makes the forest beautiful.
 * 3) Mahagopalaka Sutta (33) On the eleven bad and good qualities of a herdsman.
 * 4) Culagopalaka Sutta (34) Simile of the foolish and wise herdsman crossing the river.
 * 5) Cula Saccaka Sutta (35) A discussion between the Buddha and Saccaka the Jain, on the nature of the five khandas.
 * 6) Maha Saccaka Sutta (36) The account of the Buddha's asceticism and Enlightenment, with instructions on right meditation.
 * 7) Culatanhasankhaya Sutta (37) Sakka asks the Buddha about freedom from craving and satisfactorily repeats his reply to Moggallana.
 * 8) Mahatanhasankhaya Sutta (38) Refutation of the heresy of a bhikkhu who thinks that it is consciousness that transmigrates.
 * 9) Maha Assapura Sutta (39) See (40) below.
 * 10) Cula Assapura Sutta (40) The great and the small discourses given at Assapura, on the duties of the ascetic.

Culayamaka-Vagga

 * 1) Saleyyaka Sutta (41) A discourse to the brahmins of Sala, on the reasons why some beings go to heaven and some to hell.
 * 2) Veranjaka Sutta (42) The same discourse repeated to the householders of Veranja.
 * 3) Mahavedalla Sutta (43) A psychological discourse by Sariputta to Mahakotthita.
 * 4) Culavedalla Sutta (44) A psychological discourse by the bhikkhuni Dhammadinna to the lay-devotee Visakha.
 * 5) Culadhammasamadana Sutta (45) See (46) below.
 * 6) Mahadhammasamadana Sutta (46) The short and the long discourses on the ripening of pleasure and pain in the future.
 * 7) Vimamsaka Sutta (47) On the right methods of investigation.
 * 8) Kosambiya Sutta (48) A discourse to the bhikkhus of Kosambi on the evil of quarrelling.
 * 9) Brahmanimantanika Sutta (49) The Buddha converts Baka in Brahmaloka, from the heresy of permanency.
 * 10) Maratajjaniya Sutta (50) Moggallana admonishes Mara.

Gahapati-Vagga

 * 1) Kandaraka Sutta (51) Discourse on the four kinds of personalities.
 * 2) Atthakanagara Sutta (52) A discourse by Ananda on the ways of attainment of Nibbana.
 * 3) Sekha Sutta (53) The Buddha opens a now meeting hall at Kapilavatthu, and Ananda discourses on the training of the disciple.
 * 4) Potaliya Sutta (54) The Buddha explains to Potaliya the real significance of the abandonment of worldliness.
 * 5) Jivaka Sutta (55) The Buddha explains the ethics of meat-eating.
 * 6) Upali Sutta (56) The conversion of Upali, the Jain.
 * 7) Kukkuravatika Sutta (57) A dialogue on kamma between the Buddha and two ascetics.
 * 8) Abhayarajakumara Sutta (58) The Jain Nataputta sends Prince Abhaya to question the Buddha on the condemnation of Devadatta.
 * 9) Bahuvedaniya Sutta (59) On the classification of feelings.
 * 10) Apannaka Sutta (60) On the "Certain Doctrine", against various heresies.

Bhikkhu-Vagga

 * 1) Ambalatthika-Rahulovada Sutta (61) The discourse on falsehood, given by the Buddha to Rahula.
 * 2) Maha-Rahulovada Sutta (62) Advice to Rahula on contemplation, with breathing exercises.
 * 3) Cula-Malunkya Sutta (63) On the undetermined questions (Cp. also (72).)
 * 4) Maha-Malunkya Sutta (64) On the five lower fetters.
 * 5) Bhaddali Sutta (65) The confession of Bhaddali, and the Buddha's counsel.
 * 6) Latukikopama Sutta (66) Advice on renunciation of the world.
 * 7) Catuma Sutta (67) Advice to quarrelsome bhikkhus at Catuma.
 * 8) Nalakapana Sutta (68) The Buddha questions Anuruddha concerning certain points of the Dhamma.
 * 9) Gulissani Sutta (69) Rules for those who, like Gulissani, live in the forest.
 * 10) Kitagiri Sutta (70) The conduct to be followed by various classes of bhikkhus.

Paribbajaka-Vagga

 * 1) Tevijja-Vacchagotta Sutta (71) The Buddha visits the ascetic Vacchagotta and claims that he is called tevijja (possessing the three-fold knowledge) bacause he has recollection of his previous lives, supernormal vision, and knowledge of the way to the elimination of the asavas.
 * 2) Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta (72) The danger of theorising about the world, etc.
 * 3) Maha Vacchagotta Sutta (73) Further explanation to Vacchagotta on the conduct of lay disciples and bhikkhus.
 * 4) Dighanakha Sutta (74) The Buddha refutes the ascetic Dighanakha. Sariputta attains arahatship.
 * 5) Magandiya Sutta (75) The Buddha tells of his renunciation of the life of the senses, and dilates on the abandonment of sensual desires.
 * 6) Sandaka Sutta (76) Ananda refutes the heresies of the ascetic Sandaka.
 * 7) Mahasakuludayi Sutta (77) On the five reasons why the Buddha is honoured.
 * 8) Samanamandika Sutta (78) On the qualities of perfect virtue.
 * 9) Culasakuludayi Sutta (79) The Jain leader Nataputta, and the way to true happiness.
 * 10) Vekhanassa Sutta (80) A repetition of part of the preceding sutta, with additional matter on the five senses.

Raja-Vagga

 * 1) Ghatikara Sutta (81) The Buddha tells Ananda of his previous existence as Jotipala.
 * 2) Ratthapala Sutta (82) The story of Ratthapala, whose parents endeavoured in vain to dissuade him from entering the Sangha.
 * 3) Makhadeva Sutta (83) The story of the Buddha's previous life as King Makhadeva.
 * 4) Madhura Sutta (84) A discourse given after the Buddha's decease by Kaccana to King Avantiputta on the real meaning of caste.
 * 5) Bodhirajakumara Sutta (85) The Buddha tells the story of his renunciation and Enlightenment as in (26) and (36).
 * 6) Angulimala Sutta (86) Story of the conversion of Angulimala, the robber chief.
 * 7) Piyajatika Sutta (87) The Buddha's counsel to a man who had lost a son, and the dispute between King Pasenadi and his wife thereon.
 * 8) Bahitika Sutta (88) Ananda answers a question on conduct put by Pasenadi, who presents him with a piece of foreign cloth.
 * 9) Dhammacetiya Sutta (89) Pasenadi visits the Buddha, and extols the holy life.
 * 10) Kannakatthalaka Sutta (90) A conversation between the Buddha and Pasenadi, on the devas, on caste, and on Brahma.

Brahmana-Vagga

 * 1) Brahmayu Sutta (91) On the thirty-two marks of a Great Man, and the conversion of the Brahmin Brahmayu.
 * 2) Sela Sutta (92) The Brahmin Sela sees the thirty-two marks of a Buddha and is converted. (The same story is related in Sutta Nipata III, 7).
 * 3) Assalayana Sutta (93) The Brahmin Assalayana discusses caste with the Buddha. An Important presentation of the Buddha's teaching on caste.
 * 4) Ghotamukha Sutta (94) Ghotamukha builds an assembly hall for the Sangha. Udena's discourse at its opening.
 * 5) Canki Sutta (95) Discourse on Brahmanical doctrines.
 * 6) Esukari Sutta (96) Discourse on caste and its functions.
 * 7) Dhananjani Sutta (97) Sariputta tells the Brahmin Dhananjani that family duties are no excuse for wrong-doing.
 * 8) Vasettha Sutta (98) Discourse, mostly in verse, on the nature of the true brahmin. (This recurs in Sutta Nipata III, 9).
 * 9) Subha Sutta (Majjhima Nikaya) (99) On whether a man should remain a householder or leave the world.
 * 10) Sangarava Sutta (100) The Brahmin woman who accepted the Dhamma, and a discourse on the holy life. Also repetition of parts of (26) and (36).

Devadaha-Vagga

 * 1) Devadaha Sutta (101) The Buddha discourses on the attainment of the goal by the living of the life.
 * 2) Pancattaya Sutta (102) On five theories of the soul, and that the way of release (Nibbana) does not depend on any of them.
 * 3) Kinti Sutta (103) Rules for bhikkhus who dispute about the Dhamma, and who commit transgressions.
 * 4) Samagama Sutta (104) After the death of Nataputta -- also in Digha Nikaya (29) -- the Buddha's discourse on dispute and harmony.
 * 5) Sunakkhatta Sutta (105) The simile of extracting the arrow of craving.
 * 6) Ananjasappaya Sutta (106) Meditations on impassibility and the attainments, and on true release.
 * 7) Ganaka-Moggallana Sutta (107) Instruction to Ganaka-Moggallana on the training of disciples.
 * 8) Gopaka-Moggallana Sutta (108) After the decease of the Buddha, Ananda explains to Vassakara that the Dhamma is now the only Guide.
 * 9) Maha Punnama Sutta (109) The Buddha answers the questions a bhikkhu concerning the khandhas.
 * 10) Cula Punnama Sutta (110) A discourse on the bad and the good man.

Anupada-Vagga

 * 1) Anupada Sutta (111) The Buddha praises Sariputta and his analysis of mind.
 * 2) Chabbisodhana Sutta (112) On the questions to be put to the bhikkhu who declares he has attained arahantship.
 * 3) Sappurisa Sutta (113) On the good and bad qualities of a bhikkhu.
 * 4) Sevitabbasevitabba Sutta (114) Sariputta expounds the right way to live the holy life.
 * 5) Bahudhatuka Sutta (115) Lists of elements and principles arranged as dialogue between the Buddha and Ananda.
 * 6) Isigili Sutta (116) The Buddha on Pacceka-Buddhas.
 * 7) Mahacattarisaka Sutta (117) Exposition of the Noble Eightfold Path.
 * 8) Anapanasati Sutta (118) On breathing exercises.
 * 9) Kayagatasati Sutta (119) Meditation on the body.
 * 10) Sankharuppatti Sutta (120) On the development of the five sankharas as enabling a bhikkhu to determine the conditions of his rebirth.

Sunnata-Vagga

 * 1) Culasunnata Sutta (121) Meditation on emptiness.
 * 2) Mahasunnata Sutta (122) Instruction to Ananda on the practice of meditation on emptiness.
 * 3) Acchariyabbhutadhamma Sutta (123) On the marvellous life of a bodhisatta. A repetition of part of Digha Nikaya (14) but applied to the Buddha himself.
 * 4) Bakkula Sutta (124) Bakkula converts his friend Acela-Kassapa.
 * 5) Dantabhumi Sutta (125) By the simile of elephant training, the Buddha shows how one should instruct another in the Dhamma.
 * 6) Bhumija Sutta (126) Bhumija answers the questions of Prince Jayasena.
 * 7) Anuruddha Sutta (127) Anuruddha explains emancipation of mind to the householder Pancakanga.
 * 8) Upakkilesa Sutta (128) The Buddha appeases the quarrels of the bhikkhus of Kosambi, and discourses on Right Meditation.
 * 9) Balapandita Sutta (129) On rewards and punishments after death.
 * 10) Devaduta Sutta (130) On the fate of those who neglect the messengers of death.

Vibhanga-Vagga

 * 1) Bhaddekaratta Sutta (131) A poem of four verses, with commentary on striving.
 * 2) Anandabhaddekaratta Sutta (132) Ananda's exposition of the same poem.
 * 3) Mahakaccanabhaddekaratta Sutta (133) Mahakaccana expounds the same poem.
 * 4) Lomasakangiyabhaddekaratta Sutta (134) The Buddha expounds the same poem to Lomasakangiya.
 * 5) Culakammavibhanga Sutta (135) The Buddha explains the various physical and mental qualities as due to kamma.
 * 6) Mahakammavibhanga Sutta (136) The Buddha refutes the arguments of an ascetic who denies the operation of Kamma.
 * 7) Salayatanavibhanga Sutta (137) The analysis of the six senses.
 * 8) Uddesavibhanga Sutta (138) Mahakaccana dilates on an aspect of consciousness.
 * 9) Aranavibhanga Sutta (139) The middle path between extremes.
 * 10) Dhatuvibhanga Sutta (140) The story of Pukkusati, who recognises the Master by his Teaching. The analysis of the elements.
 * 11) Saccavibhanga Sutta (141) Statement of the Four Noble Truths. A commentary thereon by Sariputta.
 * 12) Dakkhinavibhanga Sutta (142) On gifts and givers.

Salayatana-Vagga

 * 1) Anathapindikovada Sutta (143) the death of Anathapindika, his rebirth in Tusita heaven, and his appearance to the Buddha.
 * 2) Channovada Sutta (144) Story of the Thera Channa, who when sick was instructed by Sariputta, and who finally committed suicide.
 * 3) Punnovada Sutta (145) The Buddha's instruction to Punna on bearing pleasure and pain.
 * 4) Nandakovada Sutta (146) Nandaka catechises Mahapajapati and 500 bhikkhunis on impermanence.
 * 5) Cula Rahulovada Sutta (147) The Buddha takes Rahula to the forest and questions him on impermanence. The devas come to listen to the discourse.
 * 6) Chachakka Sutta (148) On the six sixes (of the senses).
 * 7) Mahasalayatanika Sutta (149) On right knowledge of the senses.
 * 8) Nagaravindeyya Sutta (150) The Buddha's instruction on the kinds of ascetics and brahmins who are to be honoured.
 * 9) Pindapataparisuddhi Sutta (151) Instruction to Sariputta on the training of the disciple.
 * 10) Indriyabhavana Sutta (152) The Buddha rejects the methods of the Brahmin Parasariya for subduing the seuses, and expounds his own method.