This chapter contains discourses that explore sets of nine qualities, concepts, or principles that are essential to the Buddha's teachings. Each sutta examines groups such as the nine progressive abodes, the nine causes of resentment, or the nine kinds of people. These teachings highlight the interconnection and significance of these elements in the practice of the Dhamma. The "Book of Nines" offers profound insights into how these grouped qualities work together to foster spiritual growth and insight on the way of practice to enlightenment.
The Book of the Nines
Sambodhi vagga - The Chapter on Awakening
The Chapter on Awakening in the Book of the Nines, containing discourses 1–10.
The Buddha outlines five proximate causes for cultivating qualities connected with full awakening, beginning with good friendship, and four further practices to uproot the conceit ‘I am.’
PTS 4.351–4.352The Buddha explains to Sutavā, the wanderer, that an arahant is incapable of transgressing in nine ways.
PTS 4.369–4.370Sīhanāda vagga - The Chapter on the Lion's Roar
The Chapter on the Lion's Roar in the Book of the Nines, containing discourses 11–20.
The Buddha explains the difference in the results of giving disrespectfully and giving with respect. Recalling his past life as the brahmin Velāma, he shows that inner purity and wisdom surpass even the grandest charity—feeding one with right view, cultivating loving-kindness, or realizing impermanence even for a brief time brings far greater fruit than any lavish gift.
PTS 4.392–4.395Sattāvāsa vagga - The Chapter on Abodes of Sentient Beings
The Chapter on Abodes of Sentient Beings in the Book of the Nines, containing discourses 21–31.
The Buddha describes nine abodes of sentient beings, distinguished by diversity or identity of body and perception, spanning from human and Brahma realms to the four formless dimensions.
PTS 4.401Nine reflections by which a Bhikkhu can know that their mind is thoroughly cultivated with wisdom.
PTS 4.402–4.404Venerable Sāriputta clarifies on a teaching on how liberation is to be verified. He shares a simile of the stone pillar.
PTS 4.402–4.404Mahā vagga - The Great Chapter
The Great Chapter in the Book of the Nines, containing discourses 32–41.
The wearing away of the taints is dependent on the jhanas and formless bases. A meditator enters these states, perceives all present phenomena as impermanent and not-self, and directs the mind toward the deathless element.
PTS 4.422–4.425Sāmañña vagga - The Chapter on Similarity
The Chapter on Similarity in the Book of the Nines, containing discourses 42–51.
The Dhamma is directly visible in a provisional sense when one enters a jhāna or subsequent meditation attainments. It is directly visible in the definitive sense when one attains the cessation of perception and what is felt.
PTS 4.453Nibbāna is directly visible in a provisional sense when one enters a jhāna or subsequent meditation attainments. It is directly visible in the definitive sense when one attains the cessation of perception and what is felt.
PTS 4.453