Sutta-Nipāta

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 also gives a good introduction to the Sutta-Nipāta in general and its place and history in the Sutta Pitaka.

I. The Paritta (Protective) Suttas

Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels, The Jewels Discourse Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance, Thirty-Eight Blessings Sn 1.8 Mettā Sutta — Loving-kindness, Metta Sutta

Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2004 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2004 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2004 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.1 Ratana Sutta — Jewels (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2004 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 5) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 2.4 Mahāmaṅgala Sutta — The Auspicious Performance (part 6) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 1.8 Mettā Sutta — Loving-kindness (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY) Sn 1.8 Mettā Sutta — Loving-kindness (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 BODHI MONASTERY)

II. Uragavagga: the Chapter of the Snake

Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake’s Skin Sn 1.4 Kasībhāradvāja Sutta — The farmer Bhāradvāja Sn 1.6 Parābhava Sutta — Downfall Sn 1.7 Vasala Sutta — The Outcast Sn 1.9 Hemavata Suttra — Sātāgira and Hemavata Sn 1.10 Āḷavaka Sutta — Āḷavaka Sn 1.11 Vijaya Sutta — Victory over Delusion Sn 1.12 Muni Sutta — The Sage

Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake’s Skin (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake’s Skin (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake’s Skin (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.1 Uraga Sutta — The Snake’s Skin (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.4 Kasībhāradvāja Sutta — The farmer Bhāradvāja Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.6 Parābhava Sutta — Downfall (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.6 Parābhava Sutta — Downfall (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.7 Vasala Sutta — The Outcast Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.9 Hemavata Suttra — Sātāgira and Hemavata (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.9 Hemavata Suttra — Sātāgira and Hemavata (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.9 Hemavata Suttra — Sātāgira and Hemavata (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.10 Āḷavaka Sutta — Āḷavaka (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.10 Āḷavaka Sutta — Āḷavaka (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.11 Vijaya Sutta — Victory over Delusion Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.12 Muni Sutta — The Sage (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.12 Muni Sutta — The Sage (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 1.12 Muni Sutta — The Sage (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery)

III. Cūḷavagga: the Minor Chapter

Sn 2.3 Hiri Sutta — Shame Sn 2.5 Sūciloma Sutta — Sūciloma Sn 2.9 Kiṃsīla Sutta — Right Conduct Sn 2.11 Rāhula Sutta — Rāhula

Sn 2.3 Hiri Sutta — Shame Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 2.5 Sūciloma Sutta — Sūciloma Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 2.9 Kiṃsīla Sutta — Right Conduct Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 2.11 Rāhula Sutta — Rāhula (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) Sn 2.11 Rāhula Sutta — Rāhula (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery)

IV. Mahāvagga: the Great Chapter

Sn 3.1 Pabbajjā Sutta — The Going Forth Sn 3.2 Padhana Sutta— Striving Sn 3.3 Subhāsita Sutta — Good Words Sn 3.4 Pūraḷāsa Sutta — The Sacrificial Cake Sn 3.8 Salla Sutta — The Dart