Dīghanikāya: Long Discourses 1

The Long Discourses (Dīgha Nikāya, abbreviated DN) is a collection of 34 discourses in the Pali canon (Tipiṭaka) of the Theravāda school. The word “long” refers to the length of the individual discourses, not the collection as a whole, which is in fact the smallest of the five Pali Nikāyas. It is one of the fundamental collections of early Buddhist teachings, depicting the Buddha in a lively range of settings. Compared to other collections it contains more extended narratives in diverse literary styles. Many discourses feature interreligious dialog with brahmins and other non-Buddhists. This collection parallels the Dīrghāgama (DA) of the Dharmaguptaka school, which is the first text in the Taishō edition of the Chinese canon. Several uncollected suttas in Chinese and Sanskrit also belong to this collection. Two-thirds of a Dīrghāgama from the Sarvāstivāda school has been found, but only small portions have been published.

The Chapter Containing the Section on Ethics (Sīlakkhandhavagga) is a chapter of 13 discourses. Each of these contains a long passage on the Gradual Training in ethics, meditation, and wisdom. The chapter is named after the first of these sections. The two other known versions of the Dīrghāgama (in Chinese and Sanskrit) also contain a similar chapter. Despite the monastic nature of the central teaching, most of these discourses are presented in dialog with lay people, with a strong emphasis on the relation between the Buddha’s teachings and other contemporary movements.

DN 1: The Prime Net Brahmajāla Sutta

While others may praise or criticize 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.

DN 2: The Fruits of the Ascetic Life Sāmaññaphala Sutta

The 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 3: With Ambaṭṭha Ambaṭṭha Sutta

A young brahmin student attacks the Buddha’s family, but is put in his place.

DN 4: With Soṇadaṇḍa Soṇadaṇḍa Sutta

A 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 5: With Kūṭadanta Kūṭadanta Sutta

A 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 6: With Mahāli Mahāli Sutta

The Buddha explains to a diverse group of lay people how the results of meditation depend on the manner of development.

DN 7: With Jāliya Jāliya Sutta

This discourse is mostly quoted by the Buddha in the previous.

DN 8: The Longer Discourse on the Lion’s Roar Mahāsīhanāda Sutta

The 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 9: With Poṭṭhapāda Poṭṭhapāda Sutta

The 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 10: With Subha Subha Sutta

Shortly after the Buddha’s death, Venerable Ānanda is invited to explain the core teachings.

DN 11: With Kevaddha Kevaṭṭa Sutta

The 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 12: With Lohicca Lohicca Sutta

A 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 13: The Three Knowledges Tevijja Sutta

A 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.

Mahā Vagga

This chapter contains a diverse range of discourses. Several focus on the events surrounding the Buddha’s death, while others range into fabulous scenarios set among the gods, and still others are grounded in detailed discussions of doctrine.

DN 14: The Great Discourse on the Harvest of Deeds Mahāpadāna Sutta

The Buddha teaches about the six Buddha of the past, and tells a lengthy account of one of those, Vipassī.

DN 15: The Great Discourse on Causation Mahānidāna Sutta

Rejecting 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 16: The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment Mahāparinibbāna Sutta

The 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 17: King Mahāsudassana Mahāsudassana Sutta

An elaborate story of a past life of the Buddha as a legendary king how renounced all to practice meditation.

DN 18: With Janavasabha Janavasabha Sutta

Beginning 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 19: The Great Steward Mahāgovinda Sutta

A minor deity informs the Buddha of the conversations and business of the gods.

DN 20: The Great Congregation Mahāsamaya Sutta

When 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 21: Sakka’s Questions Sakkapañha Sutta

After 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 22: The Longer Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta

The 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 23: With Pāyāsi Pāyāsi Sutta

This 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.

Pāthika Vagga

Like the previous chapter, this contains a diverse range of discourses. It is named after the first discourse in the chapter. Among the discourses here are legendary accounts of the history and future of our world, which are extremely famous and influential in Buddhist circles.

DN 24: About Pāṭikaputta Pāthika Sutta