MAGGASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Eightfold Path
The "Linked Discourses on the Path" contains 180 discourses on the noble eightfold path, the "middle way" which is the first and most important of all the Buddha's teachings on the path of spiritual practice. It is mentioned in the first discourse as the fourth noble truth.
BOJJHANGASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Awakening Factors
The "Linked Discourses on the Awakening Factors" contains 184 discourses on the seven awakening factors. These are qualities such as mindfulness and investigation which lead the meditator to awakening. The focus here is specifically on meditation, rather than the more...
SATIPATTHANASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Mindfulness Meditation
The "Linked Discourses on Mindfulness Meditation" contains 104 discourses on the four kinds of mindfulness meditation (satipatthāna, otherwise known as the "foundations of mindfulness" or "establishments of mindfulness"). These are the body, feelings, mind, and...
INDRIYASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Faculties
The "Linked Discourses on the Faculties" contains 178 discourses on various sets of "faculties" (indriya). The "five faculties" of faith, energy, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom are the most natural fit in this context. However the chapter also finds room for...
SAMMAPPADHĀNASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Right Efforts
The "Linked Discourses on the Right Efforts" contains 54 discourses, which are, however, a mere instantiation of the standard repetition series as applied to the four right efforts. There are many discourses on right effort throughout the Pali nikāyas, but for some reason...
BALASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Five Powers
The "Linked Discourses on the Five Powers" contains 108 discourses, which are, however, a mere instantiation of the standard repetition series as applied to the five powers. These powers are effectively identical with the five faculties, as stated at SN 48.43, being merely...
IDDHIPĀDASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Bases of Psychic Power
The "Linked Discourses on the Bases of Psychic Power" contains 86 discourses dealing with the qualities of enthusiasm or desire for practice, energy, higher consciousness, and inquiry, which are said to lead to the development of various psychic powers. The purpose of...
ANURUDDHASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses with Anuruddha
The "Linked Discourses with Anuruddha" contains 24 discourses with Anuruddha, famous for his powers of clairvoyance, but here revealed as an exponent of mindfulness meditation. It is to mindfulness meditation that he attributes his spiritual attainments, whether psychi...
ĀNĀPĀNASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Breath Meditation
The "Linked Discourses on Breath Meditation" contains 20 discourses on breath meditation (ānāpānassati), the most revered form of meditation from early Buddhism until the present day. It was practiced by the Buddha himself. The meditation is taught in a detailed series o...
SOTĀPATTISAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on Stream-Entry
The "Linked Discourses on Stream-Entry" contains 74 discourses on the topic of stream-entry, or more precisely, two sets of four qualities, one of which distinguishes a person as a stream-enterer, and one which help lead to stream-entry. The primary qualities of the first...
SACCASAMYUTTA
Linked Discourses on the Truths
The "Linked Discourses on the Truths" contains 131 discourses on the four noble truths: suffering, its origin, its cessation, and the path. These formed the main subject of the Buddha's first discourse, which is included here as SN 56.11. The Buddha said that all of his...