Words of the Buddha

Read early Buddhist discourses in parallel Pāli and English — from memorable verses to the full Nikāyas.

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In the Buddha’s WordsBhikkhu Bodhi · Anthology
Noble Truths, Noble PathBhikkhu Bodhi · Anthology
DhammapadaChapter 1 — Pairs · Audio

Reflection of the Day

“I do not see any other form that so completely obsesses a man’s mind as the form of a woman.”

AN 1.1·

The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame
Recommended Read

The Buddha cast his entire framework of liberation in the language of fire and its cessation. This essay traces that structure using what we now understand about how fire actually works.

Experience is examined starting with the texture of a single moment, to the cascade of experience, across the terrain where consciousness takes root, and to the extinguishing that is Nibbāna.

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Click any Pāli word or translated term for on-the-spot explanations that deepen understanding.

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Bookmarks & Highlights

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Explore the Collections

Browse the major texts of the Pāli Canon, with parallel Pāli and English on every page.

New translation
dhp
DhammapadaThe Path of Dhamma
The Path of Dhamma — Dhammapada
New translation
iti
ItivuttakaAs It Was Said
As It Was Said — Itivuttaka
New translation
ud
UdānaInspired Utterances
Inspired Utterances — Udāna
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Dīgha NikāyaLong Discourses
Long Discourses — Dīgha Nikāya
New translationwith 33 illustrations
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Majjhima NikāyaMiddle Length Discourses
Middle Length Discourses — Majjhima Nikāya
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Saṁyutta NikāyaConnected Discourses
Connected Discourses — Saṁyutta Nikāya
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Aṅguttara NikāyaNumerical Discourses
Numerical Discourses — Aṅguttara Nikāya
snp
Sutta NipātaThe Buddha's Ancient Discourses
The Buddha's Ancient Discourses — Sutta Nipāta
New translation
kp
KhuddakapāṭhaMinor Passages
Minor Passages — Khuddakapāṭha

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AN 4.248 Paññāvuddhi sutta - Growth of Wisdom

The four qualities that lead to the growth of wisdom: associating with persons of integrity, listening to the good Dhamma, radical attention, and practicing in accordance with the Dhamma.

Last updated on August 19, 2026

PTS 2.245

AN 5.30 Nāgita sutta - With Nāgita

When approached with abundant offerings, the Buddha expresses a heartfelt wish to avoid fame, and speaks of five contemplations which result in being established in dispassion and wisdom.

Last updated on August 19, 2026

PTS 3.30–3.31

AN 5.56 Upajjhāya sutta - Mentor

The Buddha explains the five causes for dullness and drowsiness occupying the mind and persisting, and doubt regarding the Dhamma arising.

Last updated on August 19, 2026

PTS 3.69–3.70

AN 6.42 Nāgita sutta - To Nāgita

The Buddha rejects fame and the pleasure of gains, extolling seclusion and awakening. He disapproves of living near villages—even when collected—as it invites disturbance and attachment to acquisitions, honor, and praise. He approves forest dwelling—even if dozing or distracted—for it leads to unification, collectedness, and freeing an unliberated mind.

Last updated on August 19, 2026

PTS 3.341–3.343

DHP 273–289 Magga vagga - Chapter 20 - The Path

Dhammapada verses 273–289 emphasize the eightfold path as the foremost way to liberation, seeing the impermanent, unsatisfactory, and not-self nature of all things. Further, the verses mention the relation of meditation and wisdom, They mention restraint, how wisdom through meditation, on cutting off the forest as well as the undergrowth, and making swift effort to purify by the way of practice leading to Nibbāna.

Last updated on August 19, 2026

PTS 77–81
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