Majjhima Nikaya

The Majjhima Nikaya ("Collection of Middle-length Discourses") is the second of the five nikayas (collections) in the Sutta Pitaka. This nikaya consists of 152 discourses by the Buddha and his chief disciples, which together constitute a comprehensive body of teaching concerning all aspects of the Buddha's teachings.

Vaggas
Majjhima Nikaya consists of 152 discourses, grouped into 15 vaggas (groups):

vSatipatthana Sutta]] (44) The same as Digha Number 22, but without the explanation of the 4 Truths.
 * 1) Mulapariyaya-Vagga
 * 2) Mulapariyaya Sutta (35) How states of consciousness originate.
 * 3) Sabbasava Sutta (36) On the elimination of the cankers.
 * 4) Dhammadayada Sutta (37) Exhorting the Bhikkhus to realize the importance of the Dhamma and the non-importance of their physical wants.
 * 5) Bhayabherava Sutta (38) On braving the fears and terrors of the forest. Also the Buddha's account of his Enlightenment.
 * 6) Anangana Sutta (39) A dialogue between Sariputta and Moggallana on the attainment of freedom from depravity.
 * 7) Akankheyya Sutta (40) On those things for which a bhikkhu may wish.
 * 8) Vatthupama Sutta (41) The parable of the soiled cloth and the defiled mind.
 * 9) Sallekha Sutta (42) On the elimination of self and false views.
 * 10) Sammaditthi Sutta (43) A discourse by Sariputta on right views.
 * 1) Sihanada-Vagga
 * 2) Culasihanada Sutta (45).
 * 3) Mahasihanada Sutta (46) The short and the long "challenge" suttas. On the foolishness of ascetical practices.
 * 4) Mahadukkhakkhandha Sutta (47).
 * 5) Culadukkhakkhandha Sutta (48) The long and the short stories of suffering.
 * 6) Anumana Sutta (49) By Moggallana, on the value of introspection. (There is no reference to the Buddha throughout).
 * 7) Cetokhila Sutta (50) On the five mental bondages.
 * 8) Vanapattha Sutta (51) On the advantages and disadvantages of the forest life.
 * 9) Madhupindika Sutta (52) The Buddha gives a brief outline of his Teaching, which Kacchana elaborates.
 * 10) Dvedhavitakka Sutta (53) The Parable of the lure of sensuality. Repetition of the Enlightenment as in (38).
 * 11) Vitakkasanthana Sutta (54) Method of meditation to dispel undesirable thoughts.
 * 12) Tatiya-Vagga
 * 13) Kakacupama Sutta (55) The simile of the saw. On the control of the feelings and the mind under the most severe provocation.
 * 14) Alagaddupama Sutta (56) Simile of the water-snake. Holding wrong views of the Dhamma is like seizing a snake by the tail.
 * 15) Vammika Sutta (57) The simile of the smouldering ant-hill as the human body.
 * 16) Rathavinita Sutta (58) Punna explains the purpose of the holy life to Sariputta.
 * 17) Nivapa Sutta (59) Parable of Mara as a sower or hunter laying baits for the deer.
 * 18) Ariyapariyesana Sutta (60) The Noble Quest. The Buddha's account of his renunciation, search, and his attainment of Enlightenment.
 * 19) Culahatthipadopama Sutta (61) The short "Elephant's trail" simile.
 * 20) Mahahatthipadopama Sutta (62) The long "Elephant's trail" simile.
 * 21) Mahasaropama Sutta (63) On the danger of gain, honour and fame. Said to have been delivered when Devadatta left the Order.
 * 22) Culasaropama Sutta (64) Development of the preceding sutta. On attaining the essence of the Dhamma.
 * 23) Mahayamaka-Vagga
 * 24) Culagosinga Sutta (65) A conversation of the Buddha with three bhikkhus, who relate their attainments to him.
 * 25) Mahagosinga Sutta (66) A conversation between six bhikkhus who discuss what makes the forest beautiful.
 * 26) Mahagopalaka Sutta (67) On the eleven bad and good qualities of a herdsman.
 * 27) Culagopalaka Sutta (68) Simile of the foolish and wise herdsman crossing the river.
 * 28) Cula Saccaka Sutta (69) A discussion between the Buddha and Saccaka the Jain, on the nature of the five khandas.
 * 29) Maha Saccaka Sutta (70) The account of the Buddha's asceticism and Enlightenment, with instructions on right meditation.
 * 30) Culatanhasankhaya Sutta (71) Sakka asks the Buddha about freedom from craving and satisfactorily repeats his reply to Moggallana.
 * 31) Mahatanhasankhaya Sutta (72) Refutation of the heresy of a bhikkhu who thinks that it is consciousness that transmigrates.
 * 32) Maha Assapura Sutta (73) See (74) below.
 * 33) Cula Assapura Sutta (74) The great and the small discourses given at Assapura, on the duties of the ascetic.
 * 34) Culayamaka-Vagga
 * 35) Saleyyaka Sutta (75) A discourse to the brahmins of Sala, on the reasons why some beings go to heaven and some to hell.
 * 36) Veranjaka Sutta (76) The same discourse repeated to the householders of Veranja.
 * 37) Mahavedalla Sutta (77) A psychological discourse by Sariputta to Mahakotthita.
 * 38) Culavedalla Sutta (78) A psychological discourse by the bhikkhuni Dhammadinna to the lay-devotee Visakha.
 * 39) Culadhammasamadana Sutta (79) See (80) below.
 * 40) Mahadhammasamadana Sutta (80) The short and the long discourses on the ripening of pleasure and pain in the future.
 * 41) Vimamsaka Sutta (81) On the right methods of investigation.
 * 42) Kosambiya Sutta (82) A discourse to the bhikkhus of Kosambi on the evil of quarrelling.
 * 43) Brahmanimantanika Sutta (83) The Buddha converts Baka in Brahmaloka, from the heresy of permanency.
 * 44) Maratajjaniya Sutta (84) Moggallana admonishes Mara.
 * 45) Gahapati-Vagga
 * 46) Kandaraka Sutta (85) Discourse on the four kinds of personalities.
 * 47) Atthakanagara Sutta (86) A discourse by Ananda on the ways of attainment of Nibbana.
 * 48) Sekha Sutta (87) The Buddha opens a now meeting hall at Kapilavatthu, and Ananda discourses on the training of the disciple.
 * 49) Potaliya Sutta (88) The Buddha explains to Potaliya the real significance of the abandonment of worldliness.
 * 50) Jivaka Sutta (89) The Buddha explains the ethics of meat-eating.
 * 51) Upali Sutta (90) The conversion of Upali, the Jain.
 * 52) Kukkuravatika Sutta (91) A dialogue on kamma between the Buddha and two ascetics.
 * 53) Abhayarajakumara Sutta (92) The Jain Nataputta sends Prince Abhaya to question the Buddha on the condemnation of Devadatta.
 * 54) Bahuvedaniya Sutta (93) On the classification of feelings.
 * 55) Apannaka Sutta (94) On the "Certain Doctrine", against various heresies.
 * 56) Bhikkhu-Vagga
 * 57) Ambalatthika-Rahulovada Sutta (95) The discourse on falsehood, given by the Buddha to Rahula.
 * 58) Maha-Rahulovada Sutta (96) Advice to Rahula on contemplation, with breathing exercises.
 * 59) Cula-Malunkya Sutta (97) On the undetermined questions (Cp. also (106).)
 * 60) Maha-Malunkya Sutta (98) On the five lower fetters.
 * 61) Bhaddali Sutta (99) The confession of Bhaddali, and the Buddha's counsel.
 * 62) Latukikopama Sutta (100) Advice on renunciation of the world.
 * 63) Catuma Sutta (101) Advice to quarrelsome bhikkhus at Catuma.
 * 64) Nalakapana Sutta (102) The Buddha questions Anuruddha concerning certain points of the Dhamma.
 * 65) Gulissani Sutta (103) Rules for those who, like Gulissani, live in the forest.
 * 66) Kitagiri Sutta (104) The conduct to be followed by various classes of bhikkhus.
 * 67) Paribbajaka-Vagga.
 * 68) Tevijja-Vacchagotta Sutta (105) The Buddha visits the ascetic Vacchagotta and claims that he is called tevijja (possessing the three-fold knowledge) bacause he has recollection of his previous lives, supernormal vision, and knowledge of the way to the elimination of the asavas.
 * 69) Aggi-Vacchagotta Sutta (106) The danger of theorising about the world, etc.
 * 70) Maha Vacchagotta Sutta (107) Further explanation to Vacchagotta on the conduct of lay disciples and bhikkhus.
 * 71) Dighanakha Sutta (108) The Buddha refutes the ascetic Dighanakha. Sariputta attains arahatship.
 * 72) Magandiya Sutta (109) The Buddha tells of his renunciation of the life of the senses, and dilates on the abandonment of sensual desires.
 * 73) Sandaka Sutta (110) Ananda refutes the heresies of the ascetic Sandaka.
 * 74) Mahasakuludayi Sutta (111) On the five reasons why the Buddha is honoured.
 * 75) Samanamandika Sutta (112) On the qualities of perfect virtue.
 * 76) Culasakuludayi Sutta (113) The Jain leader Nataputta, and the way to true happiness.
 * 77) Vekhanassa Sutta (114) A repetition of part of the preceding sutta, with additional matter on the five senses.
 * 78) Raja-Vagga
 * 79) Ghatikara Sutta (115) The Buddha tells Ananda of his previous existence as Jotipala.
 * 80) Ratthapala Sutta (116) The story of Ratthapala, whose parents endeavoured in vain to dissuade him from entering the Sangha.
 * 81) Makhadeva Sutta (117) The story of the Buddha's previous life as King Makhadeva.
 * 82) Madhura Sutta (118) A discourse given after the Buddha's decease by Kaccana to King Avantiputta on the real meaning of caste.
 * 83) Bodhirajakumara Sutta (119) The Buddha tells the story of his renunciation and Enlightenment as in (60) and (70).
 * 84) Angulimala Sutta (120) Story of the conversion of Angulimala, the robber chief.
 * 85) Piyajatika Sutta (121) The Buddha's counsel to a man who had lost a son, and the dispute between King Pasenadi and his wife thereon.
 * 86) Bahitika Sutta (122) Ananda answers a question on conduct put by Pasenadi, who presents him with a piece of foreign cloth.
 * 87) Dhammacetiya Sutta (123) Pasenadi visits the Buddha, and extols the holy life.
 * 88) Kannakatthalaka Sutta (124) A conversation between the Buddha and Pasenadi, on the devas, on caste, and on Brahma.
 * 89) Brahmana-Vagga
 * 90) Brahmayu Sutta (125) On the thirty-two marks of a Great Man, and the conversion of the Brahmin Brahmayu.
 * 91) Sela Sutta (126) The Brahmin Sela sees the thirty-two marks of a Buddha and is converted. (The same story is related in Sutta Nipata III, 7).
 * 92) Assalayana Sutta (127) The Brahmin Assalayana discusses caste with the Buddha. An Important presentation of the Buddha's teaching on caste.
 * 93) Ghotamukha Sutta (128) Ghotamukha builds an assembly hall for the Sangha. Udena's discourse at its opening.
 * 94) Canki Sutta (129) Discourse on Brahmanical doctrines.
 * 95) Esukari Sutta (130) Discourse on caste and its functions.
 * 96) Dhananjani Sutta (131) Sariputta tells the Brahmin Dhananjani that family duties are no excuse for wrong-doing.
 * 97) Vasettha Sutta (132) Discourse, mostly in verse, on the nature of the true brahmin. (This recurs in Sutta Nipata III, 9).
 * 98) Subha Sutta (133) On whether a man should remain a householder or leave the world.
 * 99) Sangarava Sutta (134) The Brahmin woman who accepted the Dhamma, and a discourse on the holy life. Also repetition of parts of (60) and (70).


 * 1) Devadaha-Vagga
 * 2) Devadaha Sutta (135) The Buddha discourses on the attainment of the goal by the living of the life.
 * 3) Pancattaya Sutta (136) On five theories of the soul, and that the way of release (Nibbana) does not depend on any of them.
 * 4) Kinti Sutta (137) Rules for bhikkhus who dispute about the Dhamma, and who commit transgressions.
 * 5) Samagama Sutta (138) After the death of Nataputta -- also in (29) -- the Buddha's discourse on dispute and harmony.
 * 6) Sunakkhatta Sutta (139) The simile of extracting the arrow of craving.
 * 7) Ananjasappaya Sutta (140) Meditations on impassibility and the attainments, and on true release.
 * 8) Ganaka-Moggallana Sutta (141) Instruction to Ganaka-Moggallana on the training of disciples.
 * 9) Gopaka-Moggallana Sutta (142) After the decease of the Buddha, Ananda explains to Vassakara that the Dhamma is now the only Guide.
 * 10) Maha Punnama Sutta (143) The Buddha answers the questions a bhikkhu concerning the khandhas.
 * 11) Cula Punnama Sutta (144) A discourse on the bad and the good man.


 * 1) Anupada-Vagga
 * 2) Anupada Sutta (145) The Buddha praises Sariputta and his analysis of mind.
 * 3) Chabbisodhana Sutta (146) On the questions to be put to the bhikkhu who declares he has attained arahantship.
 * 4) Sappurisa Sutta (147) On the good and bad qualities of a bhikkhu.
 * 5) Sevitabbasevitabba Sutta (148) Sariputta expounds the right way to live the holy life.
 * 6) Bahudhatuka Sutta (149) Lists of elements and principles arranged as dialogue between the Buddha and Ananda.
 * 7) Isigili Sutta (150) The Buddha on Pacceka-Buddhas.
 * 8) Mahacattarisaka Sutta (151) Exposition of the Noble Eightfold Path.
 * 9) Anapanasati Sutta (152) On breathing exercises.
 * 10) Kayagatasati Sutta (153) Meditation on the body.
 * 11) Sankharuppatti Sutta (154) On the development of the five sankharas as enabling a bhikkhu to determine the conditions of his rebirth.
 * 12) Sunnata-Vagga
 * 13) Culasunnata Sutta (155) Meditation on emptiness.
 * 14) Mahasunnata Sutta (156) Instruction to Ananda on the practice of meditation on emptiness.
 * 15) Acchariyabbhutadhamma Sutta (157) On the marvellous life of a bodhisatta. A repetition of part of (14) but applied to the Buddha himself.
 * 16) Bakkula Sutta (158) Bakkula converts his friend Acela-Kassapa.
 * 17) Dantabhumi Sutta (159) By the simile of elephant training, the Buddha shows how one should instruct another in the Dhamma.
 * 18) Bhumija Sutta (160) Bhumija answers the questions of Prince Jayasena.
 * 19) Anuruddha Sutta (161) Anuruddha explains emancipation of mind to the householder Pancakanga.
 * 20) Upakkilesa Sutta (162) The Buddha appeases the quarrels of the bhikkhus of Kosambi, and discourses on Right Meditation.
 * 21) Balapandita Sutta (163) On rewards and punishments after death.
 * 22) Devaduta Sutta (164) On the fate of those who neglect the messengers of death.
 * 23) Vibhanga-Vagga
 * 24) Bhaddekaratta Sutta (165) A poem of four verses, with commentary on striving.
 * 25) Anandabhaddekaratta Sutta (166) Ananda's exposition of the same poem.
 * 26) Mahakaccanabhaddekaratta Sutta (167) Mahakaccana expounds the same poem.
 * 27) Lomasakangiyabhaddekaratta Sutta (168) The Buddha expounds the same poem to Lomasakangiya.
 * 28) Culakammavibhanga Sutta (169) The Buddha explains the various physical and mental qualities as due to kamma.
 * 29) Mahakammavibhanga Sutta (170) The Buddha refutes the arguments of an ascetic who denies the operation of Kamma.
 * 30) Salayatanavibhanga Sutta (171) The analysis of the six senses.
 * 31) Uddesavibhanga Sutta (172) Mahakaccana dilates on an aspect of consciousness.
 * 32) Aranavibhanga Sutta (173) The middle path between extremes.
 * 33) Dhatuvibhanga Sutta (174) The story of Pukkusati, who recognises the Master by his Teaching. The analysis of the elements.
 * 34) Saccavibhanga Sutta (175) Statement of the Four Noble Truths. A commentary thereon by Sariputta.
 * 35) Dakkhinavibhanga Sutta (176) On gifts and givers.
 * 36) Salayatana-Vagga.
 * 37) Anathapindikovada Sutta (177) the death of Anathapindika, his rebirth in Tusita heaven, and his appearance to the Buddha.
 * 38) Channovada Sutta (178) Story of the Thera Channa, who when sick was instructed by Sariputta, and who finally committed suicide.
 * 39) Punnovada Sutta (179) The Buddha's instruction to Punna on bearing pleasure and pain.
 * 40) Nandakovada Sutta (180) Nandaka catechises Mahapajapati and 500 bhikkhunis on impermanence.
 * 41) Cula Rahulovada Sutta (181) The Buddha takes Rahula to the forest and questions him on impermanence. The devas come to listen to the discourse.
 * 42) Chachakka Sutta (182) On the six sixes (of the senses).
 * 43) Mahasalayatanika Sutta (183) On right knowledge of the senses.
 * 44) Nagaravindeyya Sutta (184) The Buddha's instruction on the kinds of ascetics and brahmins who are to be honoured.
 * 45) Pindapataparisuddhi Sutta (185) Instruction to Sariputta on the training of the disciple.
 * 46) Indriyabhavana Sutta (186) The Buddha rejects the methods of the Brahmin Parasariya for subduing the seuses, and expounds his own method.