This chapter begins with a series of discourses delivered by the Buddha immediately after his awakening, establishing a core teaching: that awakening is possible through one's own efforts. Each discourse examines the idea of the true "brahmin", defined not by hereditary caste but by freedom from defilements. This collection offers profound insights into the Buddha's early teachings on spiritual liberation and the qualities of true nobility.
This chapter delves into the emotional dimension of enlightenment, as experienced by the Buddha after his awakening. Having discovered a spiritual happiness surpassing any worldly joy, the Buddha's discourses in this section emphasize the profound and enduring happiness that arises from true liberation. This collection offers insights into the depth of contentment and peace found in the enlightened mind.
This chapter centers on the theme of equanimity in the face of pleasure and pain. The discourses provide several examples of monastic conduct marked by poise and balance, illustrating the Buddha's teachings on maintaining inner stability amidst the dualities of life. This collection offers valuable insights into the cultivation of equanimity and the serene, composed nature of the enlightened mind.
This chapter explores the consequences of a lack of balance in a practitioner's life. When a mind is undisciplined and unbalanced, it can lead to harm for oneself and others. The discourses in this section emphasize the importance of mental discipline and the dangers of allowing the mind to become unruly. This collection highlights the critical role of mindfulness and self-control in the way of practice to liberation.
This chapter broadens its focus beyond the individual practitioner to encompass the "all", demonstrating how the Dhamma is inclusive of all beings, from kings to the smallest creatures like little fish. The discourses in this section reveal the universal nature of the Buddha's teachings, emphasizing that the Dhamma applies to all beings regardless of their status or form. This collection offers a profound understanding of the all-encompassing compassion and wisdom inherent in the Buddha's message.
This chapter returns to stories from the Buddha's life, focusing on events near the end of his journey. It serves as a reminder of those who have lost their way, contrasting their struggles with the Buddha's unwavering way of practice to enlightenment. These discourses offer a reflective view on the later stages of the Buddha's life and the enduring lessons of his teachings.
This chapter revisits the Buddha's awakening, using water-based imagery to highlight the transformative power of the Dhamma. The discourses emphasize how the Dhamma serves as a vessel, carrying practitioners across the flood of worldly challenges and towards liberation. This collection reinforces the strength and guidance offered by the Buddha's teachings in navigating the journey to awakening.
The final chapter of the Udāna addresses the Buddha's passing away and the profound crisis of faith that followed. It opens with a series of solemn declarations on Nibbāna, reflecting the depth of the Buddha's teachings on ultimate liberation. The chapter concludes with the remarkable passing of the bhikkhu Dabba, illustrating the enduring strength of the Dhamma even in the face of loss. This collection offers deep reflections on the end of the Buddha's life and the spiritual legacy he left behind.
The Buddha contemplates dependent co-arising in forward order just after his awakening.
The Buddha contemplates dependent co-arising in reverse order just after his awakening.
The Buddha contemplates dependent co-arising in forward and reverse order just after his awakening.
The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on the qualities that make one a true Brāhmaṇ.
The Buddha defines a sage, a Brāhmaṇ not by birth, but as one who has cast off harmful qualities and is always mindful.
An awakened person has transcended fear through going beyond their own attachments.
One is not purified by water or fire offerings, but through truth and Dhamma.
Upon learning that he was not awakened, Bāhiya travels a great distance to seek the Buddha. Upon arriving, he sees the Buddha on alms round and begs for urgent instruction despite the hour. The Buddha gives him a terse training to see only the seen, heard, sensed, and cognized—without clinging. Bāhiya realizes the Dhamma immediately, only to be killed by a charging cow shortly after. The Buddha declares his attainment and honors him.
After the serpent king Mucalinda stands guard over the Buddha during a rainstorm, the Buddha utters a verse on the happiness found in seclusion, harmlessness toward living beings, the transcendence of sensual desire, and the relinquishment of the conceit ‘I am.’
When the Buddha learned that the bhikkhus had been discussing the worldly affairs of two kings, he reminded them that for those who have gone forth in faith, only two modes of gathering are proper - either engaging in a Dhamma discussion or maintaining noble silence.
He who, while seeking his own happiness, harms with a stick beings who desire happiness, will not find happiness after passing away.
The Buddha explains how to deal with insult and abuse without arising resentment.
The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance contrasting one who has comprehended the nature of reality with one who is with possessions.
A wanderer tries to acquire oil for his wife by drinking it and intending to regurgitate it later. This causes him terrible pain. The Buddha uses this to teach that attachment to possessions leads to suffering, while true happiness belongs to those who are free from such entanglements.
Inspired utterance on practicing diligently to leave behind what seems pleasant.
The story of Suppavāsā, a noblewoman of the Koliyan clan, who endures a difficult pregnancy and ultimately gives birth to a healthy son with the blessings of the Buddha. Overjoyed, she declares she would endure it again. The Buddha then utters a verse on how suffering, disguised as pleasure, overpowers the negligent.
The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance to Visākhā on how all under another’s control brings suffering.
Monks mistake venerable Bhaddiya’s exclamation of “bliss” for nostalgia of his royal past. Bhaddiya explains to the Buddha that kingship was fearful, while his current monastic life is true bliss because it is fearless. The Buddha then praises the profound happiness found in being free from inner turmoil.
A bhikkhu endures sharp, severe, and painful bodily sensations caused by the results of past actions, while remaining mindful and fully aware, untroubled by the experience.
Venerable Sāriputta is sitting in meditation posture, aligning his body upright, having set up mindfulness at the fore. The Blessed One sees this and expresses an inspired utterance.
Venerable Mahāmoggallāna is sitting in meditation posture, aligning his body upright, and having set up mindfulness immersed in the body. The Blessed One sees this and expresses an inspired utterance.
The Buddha explains why Venerable Pilindavaccha addresses the bhikkhus with the term ‘outcaste’.
After his full awakening, the Buddha surveys the world, seeing beings aflame with passion, aversion, and illusion. 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.
The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance about the qualities of a person who falls under the sway of Māra and of one who overcomes all bad destinations.
Seeing Venerable Sāriputta sitting in a meditation posture, content, secluded, disentangled and with energy aroused for cultivation of the mind, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance.
The venerable Upasena reflects on his fortunate spiritual life and his teacher, the Buddha. The Buddha, perceiving Upasena's thoughts, expresses an inspired utterance.
King Pasenadi of Kosala and Queen Mallikā discuss who is dearer to them.
If suffering is displeasing to you, do not commit evil deeds, whether openly or in secret.
The Buddha sits silently among the Saṅgha of bhikkhus on an Uposatha night when the assembly wasn’t pure. Afterwards, the Buddha explains the eight wonderful and marvelous qualities of the Dhamma and Vinaya, likening them to similarly wonderful qualities of the great ocean.
The Blessed One sees a group of young brāhmaṇas passing by, appearing to be mocking.
The Buddha explains to King Pasenadi of Kosala how to recognize the character of another person.
The Buddha reviews the multitude of harmful and unwholesome mental qualities he has abandoned, and the multitude of wholesome mental qualities he has developed to completion.
Venerable Subhūti is sitting in meditation posture, aligning his body upright, having entered collectedness free of thinking. The Blessed One sees this and expresses an inspired utterance.
On hearing about two factions infatuated with a courtesan, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on the extremes - one of taking rules and observances as the essence and the other of seeing no fault in sensual pleasures.
The Buddha observes moths drawn to the light of oil lamps, and reflects on the nature of attachment.
On seeing the people of Sāvatthi excessively clinging to sensual pleasures, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on the bondage that ensues from sensual desire.
On seeing the people of Sāvatthi clinging to sensual pleasures, the Buddha expresses an inspired utterance on harm that comes from sensual desire.
The Buddha expresses an inspired utterance after reflecting on his giving up of the perceptions and notions [born of] mental proliferation.
The Blessed One instructs the bhikkhus on the base where there is no coming, going, staying, no passing away, and no arising.
The Blessed One instructs the bhikkhus on the unborn, unbecome, unmade, unconditioned.
The Blessed One teaches Visākhā on the nature of attachment and suffering.