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Ud · 80 texts · 80 in English

Heartfelt Sayings

Udāna

Eighty short discourses in mixed prose and verse. These take the form of a simple prose narrative, which serves to frame an inspired saying, usually in verse. The udāna and dhammapada literature appear to overlap, and can be considered as one genre. The Dhammapada verses also have associated narratives, but these are found in the commentary. There are some indications that some of the narratives in the Udāna may be a little later than most of the material in the four main nikāyas.

The Chapter on Awakening

Bodhivagga

This chapter begins with a series of discourses set immediately after the Buddha’s awakening, which are shared with the first chapter of the Khandhakas. It establishes the fundamental thesis of Buddhism: that awakening is possible through one’s own efforts. Each discourse deals with the idea of the true “brahmin”, defined not according to hereditary caste, but freedom from defilements.

  • Ud 1.1 Upon Awakening (1st)Paṭhamabodhisutta

    The Buddha, soon after awakening, contemplates specific conditionality and dependent co-arising.

  • Ud 1.2 Upon Awakening (2nd)Dutiyabodhisutta

    The Buddha, soon after awakening, contemplates specific conditionality and dependent co-arising.

  • Ud 1.3 Upon Awakening (3rd)Tatiyabodhisutta

    The Buddha, soon after awakening, contemplates specific conditionality and dependent co-arising.

  • Ud 1.4 The Mystic Syllable HuṁHuṁhuṅkasutta

    A brahmin who recites the mystic syllable huṁ asks the Buddha who is the true brahmin.

  • Ud 1.5 The BrahminBrāhmaṇasutta

    The Buddha redefines the term “brahmin” to mean anyone, regardless of birth, who is awakened.

  • Ud 1.6 With MahākassapaMahākassapasutta

    Ven. Mahā Kassapa chooses to go for alms among the poor rather than among the devas.

  • Ud 1.7 At AjakalāpakaAjakalāpakasutta

    An awakened person has gone beyond fear.

  • Ud 1.8 With SaṅgāmajiSaṅgāmajisutta

    A monk’s former wife tries to use their child to lure him back into the lay life.

  • Ud 1.9 Matted Hair AsceticsJaṭilasutta

    The mind is cleansed and purified, not by ablutions, but by truth and rectitude.

  • Ud 1.10 With BāhiyaBāhiyasutta

    The ascetic Bāhiya becomes an arahant after receiving a brief teaching about adding nothing to sensory experience.

The Chapter with Mucalinda

Mucalindavagga

The Buddha’s awakening has shown him a spiritual happiness that is better than any worldly happiness. This chapter focusses on the emotional dimension of enlightenment.

  • Ud 2.1 With MucalindaMucalindasutta

    Shortly after the Buddha’s awakening, a dragon protects him from a storm.

  • Ud 2.2 KingsRājasutta

    When monks have gathered, they shouldn’t spend their time gossiping about kings.

  • Ud 2.3 A StickDaṇḍasutta

    A lesson to young boys: If you don’t want to suffer from pain, don’t inflict pain on other beings.

  • Ud 2.4 EsteemSakkārasutta

    On how to deal with abusive language.

  • Ud 2.5 A Lay FollowerUpāsakasutta

    The drawbacks of having.

  • Ud 2.6 The Pregnant WomanGabbhinīsutta

    More drawbacks of having.

  • Ud 2.7 An Only SonEkaputtakasutta

    The sorrow that comes from having those who are dear.

  • Ud 2.8 SuppavāsāSuppavāsāsutta

    After a long and difficult pregnancy, Suppavāsā invites the Buddha and the Sangha for a meal.

  • Ud 2.9 With VisākhāVisākhāsutta

    The drawbacks of having to do business with kings.

  • Ud 2.10 With BhaddiyaBhaddiyasutta

    A former king, now monk, exclaims over the bliss of solitude.

The Chapter with Nanda

Nandavagga

The discourses in this chapter focus on equanimity in the face of pleasure and pain. There are several examples of monastic conduct of poise and balance.

  • Ud 3.1 Born of the Fruits of DeedsKammavipākajasutta

    A monk meditates in pain engendered by past kamma but without being struck down by it.

  • Ud 3.2 With NandaNandasutta

    The Buddha makes a deal with his step-brother: Stay a monk, and you’ll be rewarded with nymphs in the next life.

  • Ud 3.3 With YasojaYasojasutta

    A group of monks, rebuked by the Buddha, take it as an encouragement to reach awakening.

  • Ud 3.4 With SāriputtaSāriputtasutta

    Ven. Sāriputta meditates, his mind as solid as rock.

  • Ud 3.5 With MahāmoggallānaMahāmoggallānasutta

    Ven. Mahā Moggallāna meditates.

  • Ud 3.6 With PilindavacchaPilindavacchasutta

    Some old habits die hard.

  • Ud 3.7 Sakka’s Heartfelt SayingSakkudānasutta

    A deva-king disguises himself to give alms to Ven. Mahā Kassapa.

  • Ud 3.8 One Who Eats Only AlmsfoodPiṇḍapātikasutta

    The Buddha rebukes monks who are chatting about the agreeable things that one can encounter on almsround.

  • Ud 3.9 ProfessionsSippasutta

    More lessons in what monks should and shouldn’t talk about.

  • Ud 3.10 The WorldLokasutta

    Shortly after awakening, the Buddha contemplates future rebirth.

The Chapter with Meghiya

Meghiyavagga

If a practitioner fails to achieve such balance, their undisciplined mind leads to harming themselves and others.

  • Ud 4.1 With MeghiyaMeghiyasutta

    A monk leaves the Buddha to go into solitude, only to find his mind overcome by unskillful thoughts.

  • Ud 4.2 RestlessUddhatasutta

    The need to protect body and mind.

  • Ud 4.3 The CowherdGopālakasutta

    A cowherd is murdered after presenting a meal to the Buddha and the Sangha.

  • Ud 4.4 The Spirit’s BlowYakkhapahārasutta

    A spirit gives Ven. Sāriputta a blow on the head.

  • Ud 4.5 A Bull ElephantNāgasutta

    The Buddha, hemmed in by his followers, goes into seclusion.

  • Ud 4.6 The Alms-GathererPiṇḍolasutta

    Ven. Piṇḍola Bhāradvāja meditates.

  • Ud 4.7 With SāriputtaSāriputtasutta

    Ven. Sāriputta meditates.

  • Ud 4.8 With SundarīSundarīsutta

    Wanderers of other sects kill a woman and blame her murder on the Sangha.

  • Ud 4.9 With UpasenaUpasenasutta

    Ven. Upasena Vaṅgantaputta contemplates: “Fortunate has been my life; fortunate will be my death.”

  • Ud 4.10 The Peacefulness of SāriputtaSāriputtaupasamasutta

    Ven. Sāriputta meditates.

The Chapter with Soṇa

Soṇavagga

Broadening the focus from the individual practitioner, this chapter deals with the “all”, and shows how the Dhamma is inclusive of all beings, from kings to little fish.

  • Ud 5.1 Who is More Dear?Piyatarasutta

    King Pasenadi asks his queen, “Is there anyone dearer to you than yourself?”

  • Ud 5.2 Short-livedAppāyukasutta

    Ven. Ānanda comments on how the Buddha’s mother died shortly after his birth.

  • Ud 5.3 With Suppabuddha the LeperSuppabuddhakuṭṭhisutta

    A leper becomes a stream-enterer, dies, and is reborn as a deva.

  • Ud 5.4 The BoysKumārakasutta

    A lesson to young boys: If you don’t want to suffer from pain, don’t inflict pain on other beings.

  • Ud 5.5 SabbathUposathasutta

    Ven. Mahā Moggallāna expels a sham monk from a meeting of the Sangha.

  • Ud 5.6 With SoṇaSoṇasutta

    A young man in a remote part of India is able to ordain only after many delays.

  • Ud 5.7 With Revata the DoubterKaṅkhārevatasutta

    Ven. Revata meditates.

  • Ud 5.8 Schism in the SaṅghaSaṁghabhedasutta

    Devadatta announces that he will cause a split in the Sangha.

  • Ud 5.9 TeasingSadhāyamānasutta

    A group of youths jeer at the monks.

  • Ud 5.10 With CūḷapanthakaCūḷapanthakasutta

    Ven. Cūḷa Panthaka meditates.

The Chapter on Blind From Birth

Jaccandhavagga

Returning to stories about the Buddha’s life, this chapter skips ahead to near the end. Meanwhile, it reminds us of those who have lost their way.

The Lesser Chapter

Cūḷavagga

This chapter returns to the awakening of the Buddha, and employing water-based imagery, it reinforces the power of the Dhamma to carry us across the flood.

  • Ud 7.1 Bhaddiya the Dwarf (1st)Paṭhamalakuṇḍakabhaddiyasutta

    A dwarf becomes an arahant.

  • Ud 7.2 Bhaddiya the Dwarf (2nd)Dutiyalakuṇḍakabhaddiyasutta

    Ven. Sāriputta doesn’t realize that his listener has already become an arahant.

  • Ud 7.3 Clinging (1st)Paṭhamasattasutta

    Attachment to sensual pleasures keeps you from crossing over the flood.

  • Ud 7.4 Clinging (2nd)Dutiyasattasutta

    Attachment to sensual pleasures keeps you trapped like a fish.

  • Ud 7.5 Another Discourse with Bhaddiya the DwarfAparalakuṇḍakabhaddiyasutta

    Inner and outer beauty.

  • Ud 7.6 The Ending of CravingTaṇhāsaṅkhayasutta

    Ven. Aññata Koṇḍañña meditates.

  • Ud 7.7 The Ending of ProliferationPapañcakhayasutta

    The Buddha contemplates his own abandoning of the perceptions and categories of proliferation.

  • Ud 7.8 KaccānaKaccānasutta

    Ven. Mahā Kaccāyana meditates.

  • Ud 7.9 The WellUdapānasutta

    The brahmins and householders of Thūṇa try to keep the Buddha from drinking the water in a well.

  • Ud 7.10 King UdenaUtenasutta

    Five hundred awakened women die in a fire.

The Chapter with the Pāṭali Villagers

Pāṭaligāmiyavagga

The final chapter deals with the Buddha’s final passing away and the crisis of faith that this created. It begins with series of solemn declarations on Nibbana and ends with the spectacular passing of the monk Dabba.