The Buddha outlines a progressive training guideline for the bhikkhus to undertake in order to be recognized as ascetics and Brahmins. The Buddha also describes the abandonment of the five hindrances, the four jhānas, and the three knowledges using similes.

The Buddha teaches in detail how to develop mindfulness while breathing in and out through sixteen naturally unfolding steps, showing how their cultivation fulfills the four establishments of mindfulness, which in turn fulfill the seven factors of awakening, culminating in true knowledge and liberation.

Venerable Ānanda recollects the wonderful and marvelous qualities of the Tathāgata, the Buddha, relating to his conception and birth. The Buddha then caps it off by sharing what he considers the most wonderful and marvelous quality of all.

The Buddha explains the importance of rousing of energy and the consequences of having many desires, few desires, dissatisfaction, contentment, (careless) attention, wise attention, clear comprehension and lack of it, and bad friendship.

The Buddha explains the consequences of negligence and diligence, laziness and arousing of energy, having many desires and having few wishes, discontentment and contentment, unwise and wise attention, full awareness and lack of it, bad and good friendships, and good and bad habits.

The Buddha lists the mental qualities that form the internal factors leading to harm or benefit, the qualities that lead to the decline or continuity of the true Dhamma, and the actions that lead to the harm of many people.