The Buddha’s Wisdom Podcast

This is the 28th Sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya, The Mahahatthipadopama Sutta, which translates as “the longer discourse on the Elephant’s Footprint”. The Buddha’s chief disciple, Venerable Sāriputta gives an elaborate demonstration of how, just as any footprint can fit inside an elephant’s, all the Buddha’s teaching can fit inside the four noble truths. This offers an overall template for organizin...

This episode is the 27th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Culahatthipadopam Sutta which translates as “The Shorter Discourse on the Elephant’s Footprint”. In this sutta the Buddha cautions against swift conclusions about a teacher’s spiritual accomplishments, comparing it to the care a tracker would use when tracking elephants. He presents the full training of a monastic. This translation of the...

This episode is the 26th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Pāsarāsi sutta which translates as “The Noble Search”. This sutta is one of the most important biographical discourses, telling the Buddha’s experiences from leaving home to the realization of Awakening. This translation of the Pāsarāsi sutta is by Bhikkhu Sujato and was sourced from Sutta Central. The Buddha's Wisdom Podcast is part of th...

This episode is the 25th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Nivapa sutta which is listed on Sutta Central with both the translated English titles of “Fodder” and also “Sowing”. In this sutta, The Buddha compares getting trapped by Māra with a deer getting caught in a snare, illustrating the ever more complex strategies employed by hunted to get free from the traps set by the hunter. This translatio...

This episode is the 24nd sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Rathavinīta sutta which is known in English the “prepared chariots”. This teaching principally involves the Venerable Sariputta and the Venerable Punna from Mantani engaging in a discussion about the purpose of living the holy life. This translation of the Rathavinīta sutta is by Bhikkhu Sujato and was sourced from Sutta Central. Click her...

This episode is the 23nd sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Vammika Sutta which is known in English the “ant hill”. In a curious teaching full of evocative imagery, a deity lights up the Dark Forest to present Venerable Kassapa the Prince with a complex riddle. He goes on to seek an explanation of the riddle from the Buddha. This translation of the Vammika Sutta is by Bhikkhu Sujato and was sourced...

This episode is the 22nd sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Alagaddūpama sutta which is known as the “simile of the snake”. In this teaching one of the monks denies that breaking the rules of conduct is really a problem. The monks go to great lengths to persuade him to change his views. Then the Buddha compares someone who understands only the letter of the teachings to someone who grabs a snake by...

This episode is the 21th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Kakacūpama Sutta which is known as the “simile of the saw”. This teaching has several memorable similes on the importance of patience and love even when faced with abuse and criticism. The Buddha finishes with the simile of the saw, one of the most memorable similes found in the Suttas. This translation of the Kakacūpama Sutta is by Bhikkh...

This episode is the 20th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Vitakkasaṇṭhānasutta which is about “how to stop thinking”. In this practical teaching the Lord Buddha offers five methods by which to stop thinking and thereby lead into a tranquil meditation. This translation of the Vitakkasaṇṭhāna Sutta is by Bhikkhu Sujato and was sourced from Sutta Central . Click here if you'd like to find out more a...

This episode is the 19th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Dvedhāvitakkasutta which translates as “two types of thought”. In this teaching the Lord Buddha recollects how he was practicing in the lead up to his Awakening. This teaching recounts how he divided his thoughts into two classes: reflecting upon how sensual, malicious and cruel thoughts lead to suffering, and thoughts of renunciation, goo...

This episode is the 18th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Madhupiṇḍikasutta Sutta which translates as “the honey cake”. In this teaching the Buddha gives a brief explanation about how the view of self underlies a variety of perceptions that lead to conflict, and how by practicing the teaching of the Lord Buddha a person can end all quarrels, arguments and disputes, and arrive at the supreme peace...

This episode is the 15th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Vanapattha Sutta - “Jungle Thickets” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast or to choose your favourite method to subscribe to the podcast (on the right hand side of the linked page). If...

This episode is the 15th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Cetokhila Sutta - “Emotional Barrenness” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast or to choose your favourite method to subscribe to the podcast (on the right hand side of the linked page)...

This episode is the 15th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Anumāna Sutta - “Measuring Up” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast or to choose your favourite method to subscribe to the podcast (on the right hand side of the linked page). If you'd...

This episode is the thirteenth sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Culadukkhakkhanda Sutta - “The Shorter Discourse on the Mass of Suffering” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. This sutta is narrated as it is translated. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of this sutta, you can listen to Ajahn Brahm's explanation of the Culad...

This episode is the thirteenth sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Mahadukkhakkhanda Sutta - “The Longer Discourse on the Mass of Suffering” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. This sutta is narrated as it is translated. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of this sutta, you can listen to Ajahn Brahm's explanation of the Mahadu...

This episode is the eleventh sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Mahasihanada Sutta - “The Longerer Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. This sutta is narrated as it is translated. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of this sutta, you can listen to Ajahn Brahm's explanation of the Mahasihana...

This episode is the eleventh sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Culasihanada Sutta - “The Shorter Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. This sutta is narrated as it is translated. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of this sutta, you can listen to Ajahn Brahmali's explanation of the Satipatt...

This episode is the tenth sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Mahasatipatthana Sutta - “Mindfulness Meditation” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. This sutta is narrated as it is translated. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of this sutta, you can listen to Ajahn Brahmali's explanation of the Satipatthana Sutta here. Click h...

This episode is the third sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Sammaditthi Sutta - “Right View” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. This sutta is narrated as it is translated. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of this sutta, you can listen to Ajahn Brahm's explanation of the Sammaditthi Sutta here. Click here if you'd like to...

This episode is the th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Sallekha Sutta - "Self-Effacement" - translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. In this sutta the Buddha explains methods for developing insight that lead to abandoning doctrines and philosophies which are concocted around the view of self. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom...

This episode is the 7th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Vattha Sutta - "Simile of the Cloth" - translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast or to choose your favourite method to subscribe to the podcast (on the right hand side of the linked page). I...

This episode is the 6th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Akankeyya Sutta - "One Might Wish" - translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast or to choose your favourite method to subscribe to the podcast (on the right hand side of the linked page). If...

This episode is the 5th sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Anangana Sutta - "Unblemished" - translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. Click here if you'd like to find out more about what is on offer on the Buddha's Wisdom Podcast or to choose your favourite method to subscribe to the podcast (on the right hand side of the linked page). If you'...

This episode is the third sutta of the Majjhima Nikaya: the Bhayaberava Sutta - “Fear and Dread” translated by Bhikkhu Sujato , and narrated by Sol Hanna. It has be copied below for convenience. This sutta is narrated as it is translated. If you are looking for an in depth explanation of this sutta, you can listen to Ajahn Brahmali's explanation of the Bhayabherava Sutta here. Click here if you'd...