After Prince Jayasena expresses disbelief about the possibility of attaining unification of mind, the Buddha explains why a life of sensual pleasure blinds one to spiritual truths using two vivid similes. He then uses an analogy of taming a wild elephant, showing how training and renunciation lead to true mastery.

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.

Dissatisfied with unanswered questions, the venerable Mālukyaputta demands explanations about the world, life force, and what happens to a realized one after death. The Buddha replies with a simile of a man struck by a poisoned arrow who refuses treatment until every trivial detail about the arrow and the archer is explained. Such delay would inevitably lead to death. Likewise, speculative views do not bring freedom from suffering.

The story of the lay disciple Soṇa Kuṭikaṇṇa, whose desire to become a monk gets tested by his teacher. He eventually journeys to meet the Buddha, who is inspired by his beautiful recitation and his reason for delaying ordination, praising one who sees the world’s drawbacks and chooses a harmless life.

When the venerable Nanda is dissatisfied with the spiritual life due to thoughts of a beautiful woman, the Buddha takes him to the realm of the gods and shows him celestial nymphs far more beautiful. Delighted, Nanda consents to continue leading the spiritual life, but is soon mocked by his companions as a ‘wage labourer’ and a ‘bought man.’ Stung by shame, he turns to earnest practice, and before long realizes the perfection of the spiritual life.

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.

A series of questions and answers between the lay follower Visākha and bhikkhunī Dhammadinnā that clarify subtle yet important aspects of the teachings. Topics covered include personal existence, Noble Eightfold Path, intentional constructs, attainment of cessation of perception and what is felt, felt experience, underlying tendencies and various counterparts.

The Buddha describes the two behaviors that lead to suffering and rebirth in hell if not abandoned.

A deity asks the Buddha how the complexion of those dwelling in the wilderness and living the spiritual life becomes serene.

A deity asks the Buddha what wears out and what does not decay, what is the wrong way, what is the stain on the spiritual life, and what are the six fissures in the world where one's wealth does not last.

The Buddha answers Tissa Metteyya's questions about who is content in the world, who is not perturbed, and who has gone beyond the net of existence.

After his full awakening, the Buddha surveys the world, seeing beings aflame with passion, aversion, and delusion. He reflects on the nature of the world and the suffering inherent in existence. By seeing the world as it truly is, he points to the path of liberation.