Sutta Nipāta

Verses on the way of practice to peace through the cultivation of loving-kindness for all beings without an exception and at all times whether one is standing, walking, sitting, or lying down.

Verses describing the characteristics of a false friend—one who disregards conscience and speaks without sincerity—contrasted with a true friend whose loyalty is unbreakable and whose actions reflect inner integrity. It further speaks to the joy and peace found in virtuous conduct, seclusion, and the realization of the Dhamma.

Verses urging one to rise from negligence, train steadfastly for the state of peace, and not waste the fleeting opportunity of the present moment. The teaching emphasizes the urgency of effort with the imagery of the afflicted pierced by a dart and the King of Death misleading one who remains negligent.

In this teaching, the Buddha succinctly shares the allure and the drawbacks of desiring sensual pleasures.

Eight verses on overcoming the mire of delusion by avoiding attachment to sensory pleasures, discerning their causes, and practicing for being free of 'mine'.

The Buddha explains the nature of a corrupted mind and the consequences of holding onto views in these verses.

The Buddha describes some of the wrong views on attaining purity as well as the the state of an Arahant in these verses.

The Buddha advises against engaging in views deemed the ultimate, as it leads to disputes and clinging to views and doesn't lead to the ending of suffering.

The Buddha explains the nature of ageing and the impermanence of life in these verses, as well as the state of an Arahant.

The Buddha advises Tissa Metteyya on the dangers of engaging in sexual activity and the benefits of solitary conduct.

The Buddha advises Pasūra on the futility of engaging in debates and the dangers of becoming conceited.

The Buddha refused Māgaṇḍiya's offer of his daughter, rejecting worldly desires. He taught that true peace arises not from clinging to views, observances, or status, but from letting go of all attachments. Like a lotus unstained by water, the sage remains free, calm, and detached amidst the world.

The Buddha shares in poignant terms his observations on the agitation all beings experience which led to his urgency to awaken. He then shares on the path to awakening and describes the dwelling of an awakened being.

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.

The venerable Jatukaṇṇi asks the Buddha on how to attain the state of peace and abandon birth and old age. The Buddha advises him to remove greed for sensual pleasures by seeing renunciation as safety, and to cease all grasping related to name and form in the past, future, as well as present.

The venerable Mogharāja asks the Buddha how to look upon the world so that the King of Death does not see one. The Buddha advises to look upon the world as empty, being ever mindful, and to uproot the sense of self.