KHANDHASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Aggregates
The "Linked Discourses on the Aggregates" contains 159 discourses on the core doctrinal topic of the five aggregates. This term was introduced in the first sermon as the summary of the noble truth of suffering, and became a foundational teaching in all forms of Buddhism.
DITTHISAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Views
The "Linked Discourses on Views" contains 96 discourses on views, methodically analyzed through the lens of the aggregates. A wide variety of views is assessed, most of which are familiar from elsewhere in the canon, although the first one is unique.
OKKANTASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Stepping Into
The "Linked Discourses on Arrival" is the first of three similar sections, each of which takes a set of ten doctrinal items (shared also with SN 18 RÄhula) and presents it according to a set pattern. The current chapter focuses on the distinction between those who accept the...
UPPÄDASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Arising
The "Linked Discourses on Arising" is the second of three similar sections, each of which takes a set of ten doctrinal items and presents it according to a set pattern. The current chapter focuses on the fact that anyone who has these things will suffer.
KILESASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Corruptions
The "Linked Discourses on Corruptions" is the third of three similar sections, each of which takes a set of ten doctrinal items and presents it according to a set pattern. The current chapter focuses on the fact that desire for these things is a corruption of the mind.
SÄRIPUTTASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses with SÄriputta
The "Linked Discourses with SÄriputta" describes SÄriputta's deep meditation practice, and his conversations with Änanda, who noticed how radiant and glowing he was. An exception to this pattern is the final sutta, which depicts SÄriputta responding to the challenges of a...
NÄGASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Dragons
The "Linked Discourses on Dragons" is the first of four similar sections dealing with the modes in which various semi-celestial beings may be reborn. The current chapter is on the "dragons" or nÄgas, a powerful but morally ambiguous serpentine creature of the...
SUPAÅ Å ASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Phoenixes
The "Linked Discourses on Phoenixes" is the second of four similar sections dealing with the modes in which various semi-celestial beings may be reborn. The current chapter is on the "phoenixes" or supaÅÅas, otherwise known as garuda, powerful bird-spirits that are the...
GANDHABBAKÄYASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Centaurs
The "Linked Discourses on Centaurs" is the third of four similar sections dealing with the modes in which various semi-celestial beings may be reborn. The current chapter is on the gandhabbas, "centaurs", although here rather more like "fairies", who take on a number of...
VALÄHAKASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Cloud Gods
The "Linked Discourses on Cloud Gods" is the last of four similar sections dealing with the modes in which various semi-celestial beings may be reborn. The current chapter is on the "cloud gods" or valÄhakas, who are deities of the weather controlling the clouds.
VACCHAGOTTASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses with Vacchagotta
The "Linked Discourses with Vacchagotta" contains 55 discourses, each with a philosophical inquiry by the wanderer Vacchagotta. These do not exhaust his questions; he also appears in a number of other discourses, notably MN 71-73, where he resolves his doubts and becomes a disciple.
JHÄNASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Absorption
The "Linked Discourses on Absorption" (JhÄnasamyutta) is also known as the "Linked Discourses on Immersion" (SamÄdhisamyutta). It contains 55 discourses dealing with the meditative skills required to perfect absorption. Each discourse describes a meditator who has attained absorption.