Words of the Buddha

Read early Buddhist discourses in parallel Pāli and English — from memorable verses to complete volumes.

Reflection of the Day

“I do not see any other form that so completely obsesses a man’s mind as the form of a woman.”

— AN 1.1·

The Magdalen with the Smoking Flame
Recommended Read

The Buddha cast his entire framework of liberation in the language of fire and its cessation. This essay traces that structure using what we now understand about how fire actually works.

Experience is examined starting with the texture of a single moment, to the cascade of experience, across the terrain where consciousness takes root, and to the extinguishing that is Nibbāna.

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Bookmarks & Highlights

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Browse the major texts of the Pāli Canon, with parallel Pāli and English on every page.

New translation
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DhammapadaThe Path of Dhamma
The Path of Dhamma — Dhammapada
New translation
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ItivuttakaAs It Was Said
As It Was Said — Itivuttaka
New translation
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UdānaInspired Utterances
Inspired Utterances — Udāna
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Dīgha NikāyaLong Discourses
Long Discourses — Dīgha Nikāya
New translationwith 34 illustrations
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Majjhima NikāyaMiddle Length Discourses
Middle Length Discourses — Majjhima Nikāya
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Saṁyutta NikāyaConnected Discourses
Connected Discourses — Saṁyutta Nikāya
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Aṅguttara NikāyaNumerical Discourses
Numerical Discourses — Aṅguttara Nikāya
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Sutta NipātaThe Buddha's Ancient Discourses
The Buddha's Ancient Discourses — Sutta Nipāta
New translation
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KhuddakapāṭhaMinor Passages
Minor Passages — Khuddakapāṭha

Latest Discourses

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AN 11.7 Saññā sutta - PerceptionNew

Ānanda asks the Buddha whether a bhikkhu could obtain collectedness without perceiving the elements, the formless bases, either world, or even what is seen, heard, and pondered by the mind—and yet remain percipient. When he puts the same question to Sāriputta, the two answers agree word for word.

Added October 4, 2026

PTS 5.318–5.320

AN 11.8 Manasikāra sutta - AttentionNew

Ānanda asks the Buddha whether a meditator can attain collectedness without attending to the six sense bases, elements, formless bases, or mental concepts, yet still attend. The Buddha explains that attention is directed solely to the stilling of intentional constructs, Nibbāna.

Added October 4, 2026

PTS 5.321

AN 11.13 Nandiya sutta - With NandiyaNew

When Nandiya the Sakyan asks how busy householders should practice, the Buddha outlines eleven qualities: six foundational spiritual strengths and five internal recollections. Grounded in these, a noble disciple purges all unwholesome states like an overturned pot spilling its water.

Added October 4, 2026

PTS 5.334–5.336

AN 11.21 Catuttha samādhi sutta - Collectedness (Fourth)New

Sāriputta challenges the monks to explain how collectedness can transcend all sensory experience yet remain percipient. When they eagerly ask him to clarify, he teaches the supreme peace of Nibbāna.

Added October 4, 2026

PTS 5.357–5.358

AN 11.20 Tatiya samādhi sutta - Collectedness (Third)New

Bhikkhus ask Sāriputta if collectedness beyond the elements and all mental objects is possible while remaining percipient. He confirms it occurs when the mind perceives the tranquil peace of Nibbāna.

Added October 4, 2026

PTS 5.356
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