Exploring the Word of the Buddha

Taught by Bhikkhu Bodhi

January 2003 — December 2007

PARTS I – IX Syllabus for a Systematic Study of the Majjhima Nikāya This series of lectures explores the direct teachings of the Buddha himself as preserved in some of the oldest records of his discourses. The first part of the series, covering fifty-two of the discourses (Parts I to IX), constitutes a systematic study program in the teachings of Early Buddhism. The later part of the series (Part X) takes selected discourses from the book in sequence, explaining their meaning and practical relevance. The talks cover all the major teachings of Early Buddhism, including: Life of the Buddha Fundamental Ethics Meditation and Mind-training Nature of True Wisdom We suggest that all participants in the course acquire a copy of the Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha (Wisdom Publications, Boston). Texts from the other collections will be copied and handed out. The Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha,

a translation of the Majjhima Nikaya by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli and Bhikkhu Bodhi. Available on Amazon.com. The Majjhima Nikaya, or “Middle-length Discourses” of the Buddha, is the second of the five nikayas, or collections, in the Sutta Pitaka of the Pali Tipitaka. 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 Dharma. more readers’ reviews

Introduction

An introduction to the organization of the Pali Canon and to some of the background conditions in India from which the Suttas arose.

Introduction Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi

I. The Buddha’s Enlightenment

In this first part of the course, we will examine several suttas that help clarify the impetus behind the Buddha’s quest and the content of his enlightenment experience. The basic text is MN* 26, but we will make excursions to other texts that bring into finer focus aspects of his quest and enlightenment treated only concisely in MN 26:

MN 26. Ariyapariyesanā Sutta: The Noble Search MN 4. Bhayabherava Sutta: Fear and Dread MN 36. Mahāsaccaka Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Saccaka, (paragraphs 12-44) Optional: MN 12. Mahāsīhanāda Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Lion’s Roar, (paragraphs 44-63)

MN 26. Ariyapariyesana Sutta: The Noble Search Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 4. Bhayabherava Sutta: Fear & Terror (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 4. Bhayabherava Sutta: Fear & Terror (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 36. Mahasaccaka Sutta: The Longer Discourse to Saccaka (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 36. Mahasaccaka Sutta (part 2), MN 26. Ariyapariyesana Sutta: The Noble Search Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi

II. Approaching the Dhamma

Making wise choices AN 3:65. Kālāma Sutta: To the Kālāmas (handout)

MN 60. Apaṇṇaka Sutta: The Incontrovertible Teachings (handout) Test the Buddha himself MN 47. Vimaṃsaka Sutta: The Inquirer Faith, practice, and attainment MN 95. Cankī Sutta: With Cankī

AN 3.65. Kalama Sutta: To the Kalamas Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 60.The Incontrovertible Teachings (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 60. The Incontrovertible Teachings (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 47. The Inquirer Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 95. With Canki (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi MN 95. With Canki (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi

III. The Ethical Life

Four ways of life MN 46. Mahādhammasamādāna Sutta: The Greater Discourse on Ways of Undertaking Things Karma and its results MN 57. Kukkuravatika Sutta: The Dog-Duty Ascetic

MN 135. Cūḷakammavibhanga Sutta: The Shorter Exposition of Action (handout) The path to a higher rebirth MN 41. Sāleyyaka Sutta: The Brahmins of Sālā

Optional: MN 120. Sankhārupapatti Sutta: Reappearance by Aspiration Right speech and patience MN 61. Ambalaṭṭhikārāhulovāda Sutta: Advice to Rāhula at Ambalaṭṭhikā

MN 21. Kakacūpama Sutta: The Simile of the Saw

MN 46. Mahādhammasamādāna Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 46. Mahādhammasamādāna Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 57. Kukkuravatika Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 135. Cūḷakammavibhanga Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 41. Sāleyyaka Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 61. Ambalaṭṭhikārāhulovāda Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 21. Kakacūpama Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery)

IV. Deepening One’s Perspective on the World

The faults of the worldly life MN 13. Mahādukkhakkhandha Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Mass of Suffering The shortcomings in sensual pleasures MN 54. Potaliya Sutta: To Potaliya

MN 75. Māgandiya Sutta: To Māgandiya The misery of saṃsāra SN 15. Anamataggasaṃyutta: Connected Discourses on Without Discoverable Beginning, selected suttas (handout) Raṭṭhapāla and the call to renunciation MN 82. Raṭṭhapāla Sutta: On Raṭṭhapāla

MN 13. Mahādukkhakkhanda Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 54. Potaliya Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 75. Māgandiya Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 75. Māgandiya Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) AN 15. Anamataggasaṃyutta Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 82. Raṭṭhapāla Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery)

V. The Path to Liberation (General)

The purpose of the spiritual life MN 63. Cuḷamālunkya Sutta: The Shorter Discourse to Mālunkyāputta

MN 29. Mahāsāropama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Heartwood The gradual training MN 27. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint (handout-1,handout-2,handout-3)

MN 39. Mahā-Assapura Sutta: The Greater Discourse at Assapura What makes one a monk? MN 40. Cūḷa-Assapura Sutta: The Shorter Discourse at Assapura The benefits of virtue MN 6. Ākankheyya Sutta: If a Bhikkhu Should Wish Purifying the mind MN 19. Dvedhāvitakka Sutta: Two Kinds of Thought

MN 20. Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta: The Removal of Distracting Thoughts

MN 7. Vatthūpama Sutta: The Simile of the Cloth (handout)

MN 8. Sallekha Sutta: Effacement Eliminating the taints MN 2. Sabbāsava Sutta: All the Taints (handout)

MN 63. Mahāsāropama Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2013 Bodhi Monastery) MN 29. Mahāsāropama Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 29. Mahāsāropama Sutta (part 2), MN 27. (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 27. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 27. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 27. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 27. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta (part 5) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 27. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta (part 6) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 39. Mahā-Assapura Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 27. Cūḷahatthipadopama Sutta (part 8) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 40. Cūḷa-Assapura Sutta MN 6. Ākankheyya Sutta (part 1) MN 6. Ākankheyya Sutta (part 2) MN 19. Dvedhāvitakka Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 20. Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 7. Vatthūpama Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 7. Vatthūpama Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 8. Sallekha Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 8. Sallekha Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 8. Sallekha Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 2. Sabbāsava Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 2. Sabbāsava Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 2. Sabbāsava Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 2. Sabbāsava Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery)

VI. The Practice in Detail

The Noble Eightfold Path MN 117. Mahācattārīsaka Sutta: The Greater Forty The way of mindfulness MN 10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta: The Foundations of Mindfulness (handout-1, handout-2, handout-3, handout-4) Mindfulness of breathing MN 118. Ānāpānasati Sutta: Mindfulness of Breathing The aids to enlightenment, etc. MN 77. Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Sakuludāyin

MN 117. Mahācattārīsaka Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 117. Mahācattārīsaka Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 117. Mahācattārīsaka Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 1） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 2） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 3） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 4） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 5） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 6） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 7） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 8） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 9） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN10. Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta（part 10） Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 118. Ānāpānasati Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 118. Ānāpānasati Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 118. Ānāpānasati Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 118. Ānāpānasati Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 77. Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 77. Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 77. Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 77. Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 77. Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (part 5) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery) MN 77. Mahāsakuludāyi Sutta (part 6) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2014 Bodhi Monastery)

VII. The Cultivation of Wisdom

Right view MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta: Right View (handout)

MN 11. Cūḷasīhanāda Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on the Lion’s Roar

MN 22. Alaggūpama Sutta: The Simile of the Snake

MN 38. Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Destruction of Craving (handout) Penetrative insight MN 148. Chachaka Sutta: The Six Sets of Six

MN 146. Nandakovāda Sutta: Advice from Nandaka

MN 149. Mahāsaḷāyatanika Sutta: The Great Sixfold Base

MN 28. Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint

MN 64. Mahāmālunkya Sutta: The Greater Discourse to Mālunkyāputta Final realization MN 52. Aṭṭhakanāgara Sutta: The Man from Aṭṭhakanāgara (handout-1, handout-2)

MN 140. Dhātuvibhanga Sutta: The Exposition of the Elements A typology of persons MN 1. Mūlapariyāya Suttas: The Root of All Things (handout) A typology of noble disciples MN 70. Kīṭāgiri Sutta: At Kīṭāgiri (part) (handout)

MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 5) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 6) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 7) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 8) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 9) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 10) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 9. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (part 11) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 11. Cūḷasīhanāda Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 11. Cūḷasīhanāda Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 22. Alaggūpama Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 22. Alaggūpama Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 22. Alaggūpama Sutta (part 3) MN 22. Alaggūpama Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 22. Alaggūpama Sutta (part 5) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 38. Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 38. Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 38. Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2005 Bodhi Monastery) MN 38. Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 38. Mahātaṇhāsankhaya Sutta (part 5) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 148. Chachakka Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 148. Chachakka Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 148. Chachakka Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 146. Nandakovāda Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 146. Nandakovāda Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 149. Mahāsaḷāyatanika Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 28. Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 28. Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 28. Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 64. Mahāmalunkya Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 64. Mahāmalunkya Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 52. Aṭṭhakanāgara Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 140. Dhātuvibhanga Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2006 Bodhi Monastery) MN 140. Dhātuvibhanga Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 140. Dhātuvibhanga Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 1. Mūlapariyāya Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 1. Mūlapariyāya Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 1. Mūlapariyāya Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 70. Kīṭāgiri Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 70. Kīṭāgiri Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery)

VIII. The Tathāgata

MN 12. Mahāsīhanāda Sutta: The Greater Discourse on the Lion’s Roar

MN 12. Mahāsīhanāda Sutta (part 1) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 12. Mahāsīhanāda Sutta (part 2) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 12. Mahāsīhanāda Sutta (part 3) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 12. Mahāsīhanāda Sutta (part 4) Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery)

IX. Life in the Sangha

Monks living in harmony MN 31. Cūḷagosinga Sutta: The Shorter Discourse on Gosinga The ideal monk MN 32. Mahāgosinga Sutta: The Greater Discourse on Gosinga A recalcitrant monk MN 65. Bhaddāli Sutta: To Bhaddāli Guidelines for future harmony MN 104. Sāmagāma Sutta: At Sāmagāma After the Buddha’s parinibbāna MN 108. Gopakamoggallāna Sutta: With Gopaka Moggallāna

MN 31. Cūḷagosinga Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 32. Mahagosinga Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 65. Bhaddāli Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 104. Sāmagāma Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery) MN 108. Gopakamoggallāna Sutta Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi (2007 Bodhi Monastery)

*Abbreviations:

MN = Majjhima Nikāya (Middle Length Discourses of the Buddha)

SN = Saṃyutta Nikāya (Connected Discourses of the Buddha)

AN = Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numerical Discourses of the Buddha)

DN = Dīgha Nikāya (Long Discourses of the Buddha)