Sutta Readings

Several months after his Awakening, the Buddha delivers this sermon to an audience of 1,000 fire-worshipping ascetics. In his characteristically brilliant teaching style, the Buddha uses a metaphor that quickly penetrates to the heart of the audience — in this case, the metaphor of fire. Upon hearing this sermon, the entire audience attains full Awakening (arahatta).Listen to this sutta read by Bhante H. Gunaratana (08'37" 2.9 MB)Recorded in October 2005 at the Bhavana Society, High View, West Virginia, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhante H. Gunaratana. From Bhavana Vandana: Book of Devotion (High View, WV: »Bhavana Society, 1990). Text is copyright © 1990 Bhavana Society. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Bhavana Society, Rt. 1, Box 218-3, Back Creek Road, High View, WV 26808 USA, »www.bhavanasociety.org.

What one thing should a person hold onto in order to cross the flood of birth and old age, sorrow, and grief?Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Sucitto (03'11" 1.1 MB)Recorded by jtb on 4 July 2006 in Concord, Massachusetts. Translated from the Pali by H. Saddhatissa. From The Sutta Nipata (London: »Curzon Press, Ltd., 1985). Text is copyright © 1985 H. Saddhatissa. Permission pending.

How does one cross the flood of birth and old age, sorrow, and grief?Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Sucitto (04'41" 1.6 MB)Recorded by jtb on 4 July 2006 in Concord, Massachusetts. Translated from the Pali by H. Saddhatissa. From The Sutta Nipata (London: »Curzon Press, Ltd., 1985). Text is copyright © 1985 H. Saddhatissa. Permission pending.

The Buddha traces the cause of all our suffering: the mental quality of intention.Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Sucitto (02'38" 0.9 MB)Recorded by jtb on 4 July 2006 in Concord, Massachusetts. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

Good qualities in the heart naturally lead to the development of other good qualities. And it all starts with sila (virtue).Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Sucitto (04'58" 1.7 MB)Recorded by jtb on 4 July 2006 in Concord, Massachusetts. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. From »Handful of Leaves, Volume Three: An Anthology from the Khuddaka Nikaya, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans. and ed. Text is copyright © 2005 Thanissaro Bhikkhu. #PERMISSION#

The Buddha admonishes his son, the novice Rahula, on the dangers of lying and stresses the importance of constant reflection on one's motives.Listen to this sutta read by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (11'29" 3.9 MB)Recorded by the reader in Spring 2006 at Metta Forest Monastery, USA. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. From »Handful of Leaves, Volume One: An Anthology from the Digha and Majjhima Nikayas, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans. and ed. Text is copyright © 2006 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

The Budda answers a series of questions on the causes of anger and attachment.Listen to this sutta read by Sister Cittapala (06'13" 2.1 MB)Recorded by jtb on 17 May 2006 in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by H. Saddhatissa. From The Sutta Nipata (London: »Curzon Press, Ltd., 1985). Text is copyright © 1985 H. Saddhatissa. Permission pending

Which is correct: by protecting oneself, one protects others; or by protecting others, one protects oneself? The Buddha's answer may surprise you.Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Candasiri (03'18" 1.1 MB)Recorded by jtb on 17 May 2006 in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2000 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha delivers meditation instructions to his son, the novice Rahula. Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Candasiri (19'50" 6.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 17 May 2006 in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 1995). Text is copyright © 1995 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The ten armies of Mara approach the Bodhisatta (Buddha-to-be) in an unsuccessful attempt to lure him from his meditation seat.Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Candasiri (05'23" 1.9 MB)Recorded by jtb on 17 May 2006 in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by H. Saddhatissa. From The Sutta Nipata (London: »Curzon Press, Ltd., 1985). Text is copyright © 1985 H. Saddhatissa. Permission pending.

King Bimbisara, struck by the young Buddha's radiant demeanor, follows him to the mountains to discover who he is and whence he comes.Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Candasiri (04'38" 1.6 MB)Recorded by jtb on 17 May 2006 in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by H. Saddhatissa. From The Sutta Nipata (London: »Curzon Press, Ltd., 1985). Text is copyright © 1985 H. Saddhatissa. Permission pending.

The Buddha explains the criteria for determining whether or not something is worth saying. This discourse is a beautiful example of the Buddha's skill as teacher: not only does he talk about right speech, but he also demonstrates right speech in action. Listen to this sutta read by Ajahn Candasiri (09'55" 2.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 17 May 2006 in Lexington, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 1995). Text is copyright © 1995 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha retells the story of how, on the eve of his Awakening, he re-discovered the long-forgotten laws of dependent co-arising and the Four Noble Truths.Listen to this sutta read by Leigh Brasington (08'16" 2.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 30 April 2006 in Barre, Massachusetts. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha explains how seeing deeply into dependent co-arising leads to Awakening. The causal chain here includes an additional set of factors not present in the "standard" chain of dependent co-arising.Listen to this sutta read by Leigh Brasington (05'44" 2.0 MB)Recorded by jtb on 30 April 2006 in Barre, Massachusetts. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha explains how dependent co-arising functions in the development of right view.Listen to this sutta read by Leigh Brasington (03'47" 1.3 MB)Recorded by jtb 30 April 2006 in Barre, Massachusetts. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The third chapter of verses from the Dhammapada, a classic collection of concise teachings from the Buddha.Listen to this sutta read by Gil Fronsdal (02'41" 0.9 MB)Recorded by the reader in Feb 2006 . Translated from the Pali by Gil Fronsdal. From »The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations, edited by Gil Fronsdal (Boston: »Shambhala Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Shambhala Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, the author.

The second chapter of verses from the Dhammapada, a classic collection of concise teachings from the Buddha.Listen to this sutta read by Gil Fronsdal (03'03" 1.1 MB)Recorded by the reader in Feb 2006 . Translated from the Pali by Gil Fronsdal. From »The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations, edited by Gil Fronsdal (Boston: »Shambhala Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Shambhala Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, the author.

The first chapter of verses from the Dhammapada, a classic collection of concise teachings from the Buddha.Listen to this sutta read by Gil Fronsdal (04'49" 1.7 MB)Recorded by the reader in Feb 2006 . Translated from the Pali by Gil Fronsdal. From »The Dhammapada: A New Translation of the Buddhist Classic with Annotations, edited by Gil Fronsdal (Boston: »Shambhala Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Shambhala Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, the author.

Taken together, this series of parallel suttas offers one of the most evocative descriptions of Nibbana to be found in the entire Canon.Listen to this sutta read by Joseph Goldstein (03'05" 1.1 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 at the Forest Refuge, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2000 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

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?Listen to this sutta read by Joseph Goldstein (4'54" 1.7 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 at the Forest Refuge, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha instructs a brahman youth on how to reach the company of Brahma through the practice of developing metta (loving-kindness).Listen to this sutta read by Sharon Salzberg (01'07" 0.4 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 in Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

How to cultivate a heart of metta (loving-kindness), no matter how others may try to provoke you.Listen to this sutta read by Sharon Salzberg (01'22" 0.4 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 in Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The three kinds of people who are capable of bringing true happiness into the world.Listen to this sutta read by Sharon Salzberg (02'16" 0.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 in Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

How the practice of loving-kindness excels all other paths to a happy rebirth.Listen to this sutta read by Sharon Salzberg (01'51" 0.6 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 in Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

In this famous sutta the Buddha corrects Ven. Ananda, pointing out that having "admirable" friends, companions, and comrades is not half but the whole of the spiritual life. (For more about this special kind of friendship, see »Kalyanamittata.)Listen to this sutta read by Joseph Goldstein (02'25" 0.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 at the Forest Refuge, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2000 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

You can wish for Awakening all you want; but the only way to bring it about is by making the necessary effort.Listen to this sutta read by Joseph Goldstein (5'24" 1.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 18 Feb 2006 at the Forest Refuge, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha delivers a stirring discourse to King Pasenadi on the imminence of death and the urgency of Dhamma practice.Listen to this sutta read by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (04'18" 1.4 MB)Recorded by jtb in February 2006 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. From »Handful of Leaves, Volume Four: An Anthology from the Khuddaka Nikaya, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans. and ed. Text is copyright © 2005 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

The Buddha's words on cultivating a heart filled with good will (metta) towards all beings.Listen to this sutta read by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (01'56" 1.7 MB)Recorded by the reader in January 2006 at Metta Forest Monastery, Valley Center, California. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. From »Handful of Leaves, Volume Four: An Anthology from the Khuddaka Nikaya, Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans. and ed. Text is copyright © 2005 Thanissaro Bhikkhu.

Ven. Sariputta offers a deep teaching on non-clinging to the ailing lay-follower Anathapindika.Listen to this sutta read by Sarah Doering (11'18" 3.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 16 Jan 2006 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. From » The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikaya, Bhikkhu Ñanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 1995). Text is copyright © 1995 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha's comprehensive practical instructions on the development of mindfulness as the basis for insight.Listen to this sutta read by Sally Clough (27'47" 9.4 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 December 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddhist path naturally brings about the development of many wholesome qualities of heart. In this discourse the Buddha urges his followers not to settle for anything less than the highest goal: "unshakable liberation of mind" — Nibbana. Listen to this sutta read by Steve Armstrong (16'11" 5.5 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 December 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

Six short suttas on the theme of giving. Passages include Iti 26; AN 8.33; AN 4.57; AN 5.148; Iti 107; and AN 8.35.Listen to this sutta read by Steve Armstrong (11'01" 3.7 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 December 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pali Canon, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. and ed. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2005). Text is copyright © 2005 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

Five simple practices to help overcome malicious habits of thought.Listen to this sutta read by Kamala Masters (01'16" 0.4 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 Dec 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi. From Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An Anthology of Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya, translated and edited by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi (Kandy: »Buddhist Publication Society, 1999). Text is copyright © 1999 Buddhist Publication Society. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Buddhist Publication Society, P.O. Box 61, No. 54 Sangharaja Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka, »www.bps.lk.

The Buddha's instructions on five facts that everyone — man, woman, monk, or nun — should frequently reflect upon.Listen to this sutta read by Kamala Masters (06'35" 2.2 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 Dec 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi. From Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An Anthology of Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya, translated and edited by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi (Kandy: »Buddhist Publication Society, 1999). Text is copyright © 1999 Buddhist Publication Society. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Buddhist Publication Society, P.O. Box 61, No. 54 Sangharaja Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka, »www.bps.lk.

The ascetic Bahiya receives a brief teaching from the Buddha about dispassion towards the senses ("In the seen will be merely what is seen...") and immediately becomes an arahant.Listen to this sutta read by Sarah Doering (08'39" 2.9 MB)Recorded by jtb on 21 Oct 2005 at the Forest Refuge, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by John D. Ireland. From The Udana and the Itivuttaka: Two Classics from the Pali Canon (Kandy: »Buddhist Publication Society, 1997). Text is copyright © 2005 »Buddhist Publication Society. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Buddhist Publication Society, P.O. Box 61, No. 54 Sangharaja Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka, »www.bps.lk.

Is there anywhere safe to stand where we won't be swept away by aging and death?Listen to this sutta read by Ayya Medhanandi (02'08" 0.7 MB)Recorded by the reader in July 2005 in Paekakariki, New Zealand. Translated from the Pali by H. Saddhatissa. From The Sutta Nipata (London: »Curzon Press, Ltd., 1985). Text is copyright © 1985 H. Saddhatissa. Permission pending.

The Buddha compares the knowledge he gained in his Awakening to all the leaves in the forest, and his teachings to a mere handful of leaves. He then explains why he didn't reveal the remainder.Listen to this sutta read by Sarah Doering (02'36" 0.9 MB)Recorded by jtb on 21 Oct 2005 The Forest Refuge, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Bhikkhu Bodhi. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

This is the Buddha's first discourse, delivered shortly after his Awakening to the group of five monks with whom he had practiced the austerities in the forest for many years. The sutta contains the essential teachings of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path. Upon hearing this discourse, the monk Kondañña attains the first stage of Awakening, thus giving birth to the ariya sangha (Noble Sangha).Listen to this sutta read by Guy Armstrong (10'06" 3.4 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 December 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha invokes a series of vivid similes to illustrate the voidness of the five aggregates.Listen to this sutta read by Guy Armstrong (06'57" 2.3 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 December 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

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." As a result of this discourse, all five monks attain full Awakening (arahatta).Listen to this sutta read by Bhante H. Gunaratana (08'48" 3.0 MB)Recorded in October 2005 at the Bhavana Society, High View, West Virginia, USA. Translated from the Pali by Bhante H. Gunaratana. From Bhavana Vandana: Book of Devotion (High View, WV: »Bhavana Society, 1990). Text is copyright © 1990 Bhavana Society. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Bhavana Society, Rt. 1, Box 218-3, Back Creek Road, High View, WV 26808 USA, »www.bhavanasociety.org.

What is your best response when someone is angry with you? Hint: if you offer some food to a guest, but the guest declines the offer, to whom does the food belong?Listen to this sutta read by Ayya Medhanandi (05'05" 1.7 MB)Recorded by the reader in July 2005 in Paekakariki, New Zealand. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Connected Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Samyutta Nikaya, Bhikkhu Bodhi, trans. (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 2000). Text is copyright © 2000 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

In this stirring discourse the Buddha underscores the vital urgency of keeping one's attention firmly rooted in the present moment. After all, the past is gone, the future isn't here; this present moment is all we have.Listen to this sutta read by Larry Rosenberg (08'24" 2.8 MB)Recorded by jtb on 24 August 2005 at Cambridge Insight Meditation Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. From »Access to Insight. Text is copyright © 1997 Thanissaro Bhikkhu. Courtesy of Access to Insight, »www.accesstoinsight.org.

Five practical methods of responding wisely to unskillful thoughts (thoughts connected with desire, aversion, or delusion).Listen to this sutta read by Ayya Medhanandi (11'31" 3.9 MB)Recorded by the reader in July 2005 in Paekakariki, New Zealand. Translated from the Pali by Bhikkhu Ñanamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. From »The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Somerville: »Wisdom Publications, 1995). Text is copyright © 1995 Wisdom Publications. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Wisdom Publications, 199 Elm Street, Somerville, MA 02144 USA, »www.wisdompubs.org.

The Buddha explains to the wealthy lay-follower Anathapindika about four kinds of happiness that a householder may enjoy. Some require wealth, but the best is free of chargeListen to this sutta read by Kamala Masters (03'36" 1.2 MB)Recorded by jtb on 11 Dec 2005 at Gaston Pond, Barre, Massachusetts, USA. Translated from the Pali by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi. From Numerical Discourses of the Buddha: An Anthology of Suttas from the Anguttara Nikaya, translated and edited by Nyanaponika Thera and Bhikkhu Bodhi (Kandy: »Buddhist Publication Society, 1999). Text is copyright © 1999 Buddhist Publication Society. Courtesy of, and with permission from, Buddhist Publication Society, P.O. Box 61, No. 54 Sangharaja Mawatha, Kandy, Sri Lanka, »www.bps.lk.