Upassutisutta
Listening In
While on retreat, the Buddha exclaims how the origin and ending of the world are explained in terms of sense experience giving rise to craving and suffering. A mendicant overhears him, and the Buddha urges him to remember that teaching.
Translations
Lokantagamanasutta
Traveling to the End of the World
The Buddha states that the end of the world cannot be reached by traveling, yet it is impossible to end suffering without reaching the end of the world. The mendicants ask Ānanda to explain this enigmatic statement.
Translations
Kāmaguṇasutta
The Kinds of Sensual Stimulation
While practicing for awakening, the Buddha reflected that he should be diligent when his mind strayed to sense pleasures of the past, future, or present. He urges the mendicants to realize that place where the senses completely cease, and they ask Ānanda to explain this to them.
Translations
Rāhulovādasutta
Advice to Rāhula
Realizing that his son Rāhula was ripe for awakening, the Buddha takes him for a personal teaching. He questions Rāhula on the impermanence of all the factors of sense experience, leading Rāhula to realize full freedom.
Translations
Bhāradvājasutta
With Bhāradvāja
King Udena of Kosambi asks Venerable Piṇḍola Bhāradvāja how even young monks can maintain the celibate life. Piṇḍola says it’s because they see women as their sisters, mothers, or daughters. If this doesn’t work, they meditate on the ugliness of the body. Finally they exercise sense restraint.
Translations
Lohiccasutta
With Lohicca
Students of the brahmin Lohicca make a racket while collecting firewood near Mahākaccāna’s hut. Mahākaccāna hushes them and recites a series of verses contrasting the virtuous brahmins of old with those of today. Taking umbrage, they tell Lohicca, who goes to Mahākaccāna to ascertain the truth. But when Lohicca hears what Mahākaccāna teach on the six senses, he is so impressed he goes for refuge.
Translations
Verahaccānisutta
Verahaccāni
A student of the brahmin lady of the Verahaccāni clan recommends to her the teaching of Venerable Udāyı̄, so she invites him for a meal. But when she displays a conceited attitude, he leaves without teaching. However, she corrects herself so he teaches her that pleasure and pain depend on the senses.