Learning View in explorer

31 discourses
One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.
Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
Supported by
Truth

Truth

The quality of what is real and dependable; speech and conduct aligned with reality, honesty, and integrity.

Also known as: accuracy, reliability, verifiability
Pāli: sacca
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Leads to
Inquisitiveness

Inquisitiveness

The faculty of investigation that probes into phenomena, testing what is wholesome and unwholesome. It examines the teachings and one's own experience to discern truth from falsity.

Also known as: considering, curiosity, inquiring, testing
Pāli: vīmaṃsā
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Related
Insight

Insight

Insight is deep, intuitive realization that transforms understanding and guides practice.

Also known as: having insight, with understanding, right knowledge
Pāli: ñāṇa, sammāñāṇa
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Discourses

AN 4.191 Sotānugata sutta - Followed by Ear

The Buddha describes four benefits of deeply internalizing the Dhamma. Even if one dies muddle-minded, they are reborn among the deities, where hearing the Dhamma again and recollecting their past spiritual practice enables them to swiftly reach distinction.

PTS 2.185–2.186

AN 7.61 Pacalāyamāna sutta - Dozing

When venerable Mahāmoggallāna was struggling with drowsiness, the Buddha gave him seven methods to overcome it. Moving beyond wakefulness, the discourse warns against pride and contentious talk, ultimately revealing how letting go leads to the exhaustion of craving and complete quenching.

PTS 4.85–4.87

MN 43 Mahāvedalla sutta - The Greater Series Of Questions And Answers

A series of questions and answers between venerable Sāriputta and venerable Mahākoṭṭhita that clarify subtle yet important aspects of the teachings. Topics covered include wisdom, consciousness, felt experience, perception, purified mind-consciousness, right view, existence, first jhāna, the five faculties, vital formations, and the release of the mind.

PTS 1.292–1.298

AN 6.10 Mahānāma sutta - With Mahānāma

When Mahānāma inquires about the frequent abidings of a stream-enterer who has cognized the Dhamma, the Buddha reveals six foundational recollections. A frequent cultivation of these recollections allows the stream-enterer to remain completely steady even when living amidst unbalanced and afflicted people.

PTS 3.284–3.287

KP 5 Maṅgala sutta - Blessings

Redefining ‘luck’ as the fruit of skillful action, the Buddha outlines the highest blessings that bring lasting well-being and peace.

PTS 2–5

AN 5.26 Vimuttāyatana sutta - Causes for Liberation

The Buddha explains the five causes for liberation, which include hearing the Dhamma, teaching the Dhamma to others, reciting the Dhamma, reflecting on the Dhamma, and attending to a theme of mental stillness.

PTS 3.21–3.23

AN 3.67 Kathāvatthu sutta - Basis of Conversation

The Buddha outlines the parameters for a constructive conversation. True noble conversation avoids fault-finding and arrogance, serving only to generate clarity, comprehend the Dhamma, and achieve liberation through non-clinging.

PTS 1.197–1.198

AN 5.74 Dutiyadhammavihārī sutta - Dweller in the Dhamma (Second)

Merely learning, teaching, reciting, or pondering the teachings is insufficient. A true "dweller in the Dhamma" goes beyond these activities by deeply understanding the meaning of the Dhamma with wisdom.

PTS 3.88

AN 5.96 Sutadhara sutta - What One has Learned

For a practitioner cultivating mindfulness while breathing in and out, the Buddha describes five qualities that lead to the unshakeable in no long time.

PTS 3.120

SN 22.123 Sutavanta sutta - Learned

Which things should a learned bhikkhu radically attend to? Venerable Sāriputta explains how a bhikkhu at each stage of awakening should radically attend to the five aggregates that are subject to clinging.

PTS 3.169

AN 1.51-60 Accharāsaṅghāta vagga - The Chapter on a Finger Snap

The Buddha explains the importance of developing a radiant mind, a mind of loving-kindness and the consequences of negligence, diligence, and laziness.

PTS 1.10–1.11

AN 5.73 Paṭhama dhamma vihārī sutta - Dweller in the Dhamma (First)

A true “dweller in the Dhamma” does not pass the day solely learning, teaching, reciting, or pondering teachings. Instead, they balance their learning by prioritizing seclusion and applying themselves to internal serenity of mind.

PTS 3.86–3.87

AN 5.166 Nirodha sutta - Cessation

When the venerable Udāyī repeatedly contradicts Sāriputta regarding mind-made bodies and cessation, the Buddha intervenes to correct his misunderstanding. Afterwards, the venerable Upavāṇa enumerates the five essential qualities that make an elder monk truly worthy of respect.

PTS 3.192–3.195

MN 8 Sallekha sutta - Effacement

The Buddha distinguishes pleasant abidings in the here and now from the way of effacement leading upwards to complete quenching. Effacement is shown as the gradual chipping away of defilements through restraint, cultivation of the noble eightfold path, and diligent training, culminating in the complete freedom of Nibbāna.

PTS 1.40–1.45

MN 108 Gopakamoggallāna sutta - With Gopaka Moggallāna

Shortly after the Buddha’s final Nibbāna, Venerable Ānanda addresses the brahmins Gopaka Moggallāna and chief minister Vassakāra, clarifying that the Buddha appointed no successor, establishing the Dhamma itself as the refuge for the Saṅgha. He outlines ten qualities that make a bhikkhu worthy of veneration and distinguishes the meditations praised by the Buddha from those based on hindrances.

PTS 3.7–3.14

SN 2.20 Anāthapiṇḍika sutta - Anāthapiṇḍika

Household Anāthapiṇḍika, after passing away, appears as a young deity and recites verses to the Buddha on the value of thoroughly examining the Dhamma.

PTS 1.55

SNP 2.4 Maṅgala sutta - Blessings

Redefining ‘luck’ as the fruit of skillful action, the Buddha outlines the highest blessings that bring lasting well-being and peace.

PTS 46

SNP 2.9 Kiṁsīla sutta - What Virtue

Verses detailing the conduct needed to reach the ultimate goal. The teaching contrasts the impulsive and negligent with the steadfast mind, emphasizing the importance of honoring teachers, abandoning defilements, and establishing oneself in the peace and collectedness of the Dhamma.

PTS 56

SNP 5.1 Ajitamāṇavapucchā - Ajita’s Questions

The venerable Ajita asks the Buddha a series of questions about the nature of the world, the currents of defilements, how to overcome name and form and the conduct of those who have comprehended the Dhamma.

PTS 190–196

AN 1.219-234 Catuttha Etadagga vagga - The Chapter on the Foremost (Fourth)

The Buddha describes the foremost of his bhikkhu disciples in various categories.

PTS 1.24

AN 1.258-267 Sattama Etadagga vagga - The Chapter on the Foremost (Seventh)

The Buddha describes the foremost of his female lay disciples in various categories.

PTS 1.26–1.27

AN 4.172 Vibhatti sutta - Analytical Knowledges

Venerable Sāriputta describes the four analytical knowledges he realized a half-month after his full ordination.

PTS 2.160

AN 6.88 Sussūsati sutta - Wishes to Listen

The Buddha contrasts two sets of six qualities that determine one's capacity for progress when hearing the Dhamma. One is incapable of growth in wholesome qualities if they are unwilling to listen, inattentive, misinterpret the meaning, and hold contrary views.

PTS 3.437

AN 7.5 Saṅkhittadhana sutta - Wealth in Brief

The Buddha describes the seven kinds of wealth in brief, of 1) faith, 2) virtue, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) learning, 6) generosity, and 7) wisdom.

PTS 4.4

AN 7.6 Vitthatadhana sutta - Wealth in Detail

The Buddha describes the seven kinds of wealth in detail, of 1) faith, 2) virtue, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) learning, 6) generosity, and 7) wisdom. One who possesses these is not truly poor, and their life is not lived in vain.

PTS 4.5

AN 7.7 Ugga sutta - Ugga

Migāra of Rohaṇa is a wealthy man, but even his riches are vulnerable to the vicissitudes of life, unlike the seven kinds of wealth the Buddha describes which cannot be taken away.

PTS 4.6

AN 8.2 Paññā sutta - Wisdom

The Buddha explains the eight causes and conditions that lead to the attainment, further development, growth, cultivation, and fulfillment of wisdom that pertains to the fundamentals of the spiritual life.

PTS 4.151–4.154

AN 8.23 Paṭhamahatthaka sutta - With Hatthaka (First)

The Buddha describes the seven wonderful and marvelous qualities of the householder Hatthaka of Āḷavi. When he learns about this from a certain bhikkhu, Hatthaka is concerned if any other householder heard the praise. Learning of this, the Buddha adds contentment as the eighth wonderful and marvelous quality of Hatthaka.

PTS 4.216–4.217

AN 10.73 Iṭṭhadhamma sutta - Wished For

The Buddha lists ten things, along with their nutriments and obstructions, that are desirable but rarely gained in the world, including wealth, health, wisdom, and heavens.

PTS 5.135–5.136

UD 5.3 Suppabuddhakuṭṭhi sutta - With Suppabuddha the Leper

The story of Suppabuddha, a poor, impoverished, and pitiful leper who attains the stainless Dhamma eye after hearing a progressive discourse.

PTS 48–50

DHP 360–382 Bhikkhu vagga - Chapter 25 - Bhikkhu

Dhammapada verses 360–382 depict the ideal bhikkhu as one who restrains the senses, body, speech, and mind, leading to freedom from suffering. Emphasis is placed on mindfulness, inner joy, collectedness, and self-reliance. Through discipline and reflection, the bhikkhu advances towards the peace of Nibbāna, shining like the moon freed from clouds.

PTS 101–106

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