This chapter contains discourses that explore sets of three qualities, concepts, or principles integral to the Buddha's teachings. Each sutta delves into triads such as the three kinds of right conduct, the three types of happiness, or the three aspects of wisdom. These teachings highlight the interrelated nature of these elements and their combined importance in the practice of the Dhamma. The "Book of Threes" offers a deeper understanding of how these grouped qualities work together to foster spiritual development and insight on the way of practice to enlightenment.
The Book of the Threes
The Buddha explains the characteristics of an immature and wise person.
The Buddha explains how bodily, verbal, and mental misconduct lead to self-infliction of harm.
The Buddha explains the three types of persons existing in the world based on their mental qualities.
The Buddha explains the three kinds of persons found existing in the world and who should not be associated with, who should be associated with, and who should be attended to closely with honor and respect.
Where children honor their mother and father, those families are said to dwell with Brahmā.
The Buddha describes the three divine messengers that appear among human beings and what happens to those who do not heed their message.
The Buddha explains the three guiding authorities for developing wholesome qualities and maintaining purity - 1) Oneself, 2) world, and 3) Dhamma.
The three characteristics of the conditioned and the unconditioned.
The Buddha describes three cases where vigour should be applied.
The Buddha explains the three bases of sectarian views that when closely examined, culminate in inaction. He then shares the Dhamma that is irrefutable, undefiled, blameless, and not disapproved of by the wise.
The venerable Nandaka teaches Sāḷha and his friend about how to independently verify the unwholesome and wholesome mental qualities.
The Buddha explains the three unwholesome roots and the three wholesome roots.
Three things thrive when obscured, not when exposed. And three things that shine forth when exposed, not when obscured.
The Buddha describes three persons based on how they respond to anger. One person is like a line etched on rock, another like a line etched on ground, and the third like a line etched on water.
The Buddha shares in brief the three types of growth - 1) confidence, 2) virtue, and 3) wisdom.