Pali audio
335 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 19 ratingsA selection of English translations of the suttas from the Pali canon which have been professionally read and recorded.
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Episodes
DN28 Inspiring Confidence
April 30, 2021 04:49 - 29 minutes - 27 MBShortly before he passes away, Venerable Sāriputta visits the Buddha and utters a moving eulogy of his great teacher.
DN 27 The Origin of Things
April 14, 2021 09:01 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MBThis sutta details why the true status of an individual is not a matter of the class into which one is born but of how one behaves.
DN 26 The Wheel Turning Monarch
April 08, 2021 11:59 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBIn illustration of his dictum that one should rely on oneself, the Buddha gives a detailed account of the fall of a kingly lineage of the past, and the subsequent degeneration of society. This process, however, is not over, as the Buddha predicts that eventually society will fall into utter chaos. But far in the future, another Buddha, Metteyya, will arise in a time of peace and plenty.
DN 25 The Lion’s Roar at Udumbarikā’s Monastery
April 03, 2021 12:26 - 36 minutes - 33 MBThis discourse gives a specially good example of dialogue between religions. The Buddha insists that he is not interested in making anyone give up their teacher or practices, but only to help people let go of suffering.
DN 24 About Pāṭikaputta
March 31, 2021 09:28 - 45 minutes - 41.5 MBWhen Sunakkhatta threatens to disrobe, the Buddha is unimpressed. Rejecting showy displays of asceticism or wondrous powers, he demonstrates his pre-eminence.
DN 23 With Pāyāsi
March 28, 2021 21:43 - 49 minutes - 45.4 MBThis is a long and entertaining debate between a monk and a skeptic, who went to elaborate and bizarre lengths to prove that there is no such thing as an afterlife. The discourse contains a colorful series of parables and examples.
DN 22 The Longer Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation
March 15, 2021 15:10 - 26 minutes - 23.9 MBThe Buddha details the seventh factor of the noble eightfold path, mindfulness meditation. This discourse is essentially identical to MN 10, with the addition of an extended section on the four noble truths derived from MN 141.
DN 21 Sakka's Questions
March 09, 2021 20:57 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MBAfter hearing a love song from a god of music, the Buddha engages in a deep discussion with Sakka on the conditioned origin of attachment and suffering.
DN 20 The Great Congregation
March 04, 2021 19:13 - 14 minutes - 13.1 MBWhen deities from all realms gather in homage to the Buddha, he gives a series of verses describing them. These verses, which are commonly chanted in Theravadin countries, give one of the most detailed descriptions of the deities worshiped at the the time of the Buddha.
DN 19 The Great Steward
March 02, 2021 16:16 - 18 minutes - 17.3 MBA minor deity informs the Buddha of the conversations and business of the gods.
DN 18 With Janavasabha
February 23, 2021 18:47 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBBeginning with an account of the fates of disciples who had recently passed away, the scene shifts to a discussion of Dhamma held by the gods.
DN 17 King Mahāsudassana
February 17, 2021 17:09 - 53 minutes - 49.2 MBThis sutta contains the story of one of the previous life of the Buddha and is a full version of a narrative given in brief in the Mahāparinibbāna-sutta.
DN16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 5
February 15, 2021 09:32 - 28 minutes - 26.4 MBThe longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 4
February 14, 2021 09:38 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBThe longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 3
February 13, 2021 08:15 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBThe longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 2
February 12, 2021 08:22 - 23 minutes - 21.1 MBThe longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
DN 16 The Buddha's Final Nibbana Part 1
February 11, 2021 08:07 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBThe longest of all discourses, this extended narrative tells of the events surrounding the Buddha’s death. Full of vivid and moving details, it is an ideal entry point into knowing the Buddha as a person, and understanding how the Buddhist community coped with his passing.
DN 15 The Great Discourse on Causation
February 09, 2021 22:00 - 40 minutes - 36.9 MBRejecting Venerable Ānanda’s claim to easily understand dependent origination, the Buddha presents a complex and demanding analysis, revealing hidden nuances and implications of this central teaching.
Dn 14 The Great Discourse on the Harvest of Deeds
February 07, 2021 10:10 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBThe Buddha teaches about the six Buddhas of the past, and tells a lengthy account of one of those, Vipassī.
DN 13 The Three Knowledges
February 03, 2021 22:20 - 23 minutes - 21.7 MBA number of brahmins are discussing the true path to Brahmā. Contesting the claims to authority based on the Vedas, the Buddha insists that only personal experience can lead to the truth.
DN 12 With Lohicca
February 01, 2021 19:38 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBA brahmin has fallen into the idea that there is no point in trying to offer spiritual help to others. The Buddha goes to see him, and persuades him of the genuine benefits of spiritual teaching.
DN 11 With Kevaddha
January 29, 2021 07:56 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBThe Buddha refuses to perform miracles, explaining that this is not the right way to inspire faith. He goes on to tell the story of a monk whose misguided quest for answers led him as far as Brahmā.
DN 10 With Subha
January 27, 2021 09:30 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBShortly after the Buddha’s death, Venerable Ānanda is invited to explain the core teachings.
DN 9 With Poṭṭhapāda
January 20, 2021 09:22 - 58 minutes - 53.9 MBThe Buddha discusses with a wanderer the nature of perception and how it evolves through deeper states of meditation. None of these, however, should be identified with a self or soul.
DN 8 The Longer Discourse on the Lion's Roar
January 18, 2021 19:07 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBThe Buddha is challenged by a naked ascetic on the topic of spiritual austerities. He points out that it is quite possible to perform all kinds of austere practices without having any inner purity of mind.
DN 7 With Jāliya
January 16, 2021 20:39 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBThe Buddha explains to a diverse group of lay people how the results of meditation depend on the manner of development.
DN 6 With Mahāli
January 13, 2021 10:24 - 55 minutes - 50.5 MBThe Buddha explains to a diverse group of lay people how the results of meditation depend on the manner of development.
DN5 With Kūṭadanta
January 08, 2021 23:09 - 1 hour - 74.1 MBA brahmin wishes to undertake a great sacrifice, and asks for the Buddha’s advice. The Buddha tells a legend of the past, in which a king is persuaded to give up violent sacrifice, and instead to devote his resources to supporting the needy citizens of his realm. However, even such a beneficial and non-violent sacrifice pales in comparison to the spiritual sacrifice of giving up attachments.
DN 4 With Soṇadaṇḍa
January 04, 2021 22:12 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBA reputed brahmin visits the Buddha, despite the reservations of other brahmins. They discuss the true meaning of a brahmin, and the Buddha skillfully draws him around to his own point of view.
DN 3 With Ambattha
December 31, 2020 18:53 - 1 hour - 55.6 MBA young brahmin student attacks the Buddha’s family, but is put in his place.
DN 2 The Fruits of the Ascetic Life
December 29, 2020 18:19 - 1 hour - 85.8 MBThe newly crowned King Ajātasattu is disturbed by the violent means by which he achieved the crown. He visits the Buddha to find peace of mind, and asks him about the benefits of spiritual practice. This is one of the greatest literary and spiritual texts of early Buddhism.
DN 1 The Prime Net
December 21, 2020 18:02 - 1 hour - 76.8 MBWhile others may praise or criticise the Buddha, they tend to focus on trivial details. The Buddha presents an analysis of 62 kinds of wrong view, seeing through which one becomes detached from meaningless speculations.
MN 152 The Development of the Faculties
December 13, 2020 14:22 - 17 minutes - 16.1 MBA brahmin teacher advocates that purification of the senses consists in simply avoiding seeing and hearing things. The Buddha explains that it is not about avoiding sense experience, but understanding it and learning to not be affected by sense experience.
MN 151 The Purification of Alms
December 09, 2020 19:20 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBThe Buddha notices Venerable Sāriputta’s glowing complexion, which is the result of his deep meditation. He then presents a series of reflections by which a mendicant can be sure that they are worthy of their alms-food.
MN 150 With the People of Nagaravinda
December 07, 2020 10:54 - 11 minutes - 10.1 MBIn discussion with a group of householders, the Buddha helps them to distinguish those spiritual practitioners who are truly worthy of respect.
MN 149 The Great Discourse on the Six Sense Fields
December 05, 2020 10:08 - 26 minutes - 24 MBThis sutta explains how insight into the six senses is integrated with the eightfold path and leads to liberation.
MN 148 Six by Six
December 01, 2020 15:11 - 40 minutes - 37 MBThe Buddha analyzes the six senses from six perspectives, and demonstrates the emptiness of all of them.
MN 147 The Shorter Discourse of Advice to Rāhula
November 29, 2020 22:00 - 18 minutes - 16.7 MBThe Buddha takes Rāhula with him to a secluded spot in order to lead him on to liberation.
MN 146 Advice from Nandaka
November 28, 2020 09:15 - 45 minutes - 41.3 MBWhen asked to teach the nuns, Venerable Nandaka proceeds by inviting them to engage with his discourse and ask if there is anything that needs further explanation.
MN 145 Advice to Puṇṇa
November 23, 2020 17:55 - 8 minutes - 8.14 MBOn the eve of his departure to a distant country, full of wild and unpredictable people, Venerable Puṇṇa is asked by the Buddha how he would respond if attacked there.
MN 144 Advice to Channa
November 17, 2020 08:01 - 8 minutes - 7.82 MBThe monk Channa is suffering a painful terminal illness and wishes to take his own life.
MN 143 Advice to Anāthapiṇḍika
November 15, 2020 07:33 - 13 minutes - 12.8 MBAs the great lay disciple Anāthapiṇḍika lies dying, Venerable Sāriputta visits him and gives a powerful teaching on non-attachment.
MN 142 The Analysis of Religious Donations
November 12, 2020 10:17 - 11 minutes - 10.8 MBWhen his step-mother Mahāpajāpatī wishes to offer him a robe for his personal use, the Buddha encourages her to offer it to the entire Saṅgha instead. He goes on to explain that the best kind of offering to the Saṅgha is one given to the dual community of monks and nuns, headed by the Buddha.
MN 141 The Analysis of the Truths
November 06, 2020 07:58 - 13 minutes - 12.1 MBExpanding on the Buddha’s first sermon, Venerable Sāriputta gives a detailed explanation of the four noble truths.
MN 140 The Exposition of the Elements
November 04, 2020 21:16 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MBWhile staying overnight in a potter’s workshop, the Buddha has a chance encounter with a monk who does not recognize him. They have a long and profound discussion based on the four elements. This is one of the most insightful and moving discourses in the canon.
MN 139 The Analysis of Non Conflict
November 02, 2020 08:35 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBAchieving peace is no simple matter. The Buddha explains how to avoid conflict through contentment, right speech, understanding pleasure, and not insisting on local conventions.
MN 138 The Analysis of a Recitation Passage
October 31, 2020 07:09 - 19 minutes - 17.6 MBThe Buddha gives a brief and enigmatic statement on the ways consciousness may become attached. Venerable Mahākaccāna is invited by the mendicants to draw out the implications.
MN 137 The Analysis of the Six Sense Fields
October 30, 2020 07:23 - 28 minutes - 26.5 MBA detailed analysis of the six senses and the relation to emotional and cognitive processes.
MN 136 The Longer Analysis of Deeds
October 26, 2020 13:38 - 28 minutes - 26.1 MBConfronted with an overly simplistic version of his own teachings, the Buddha emphasizes the often overlooked nuances and qualifications in how karma plays out.
MN 135 The Shorter Exposition of Action
October 23, 2020 06:33 - 15 minutes - 14.5 MBThe Buddha explains to a brahmin how your deeds in past lives affect you in this life.