• [SN 1.1] Ogha-tarana Sutta - Crossing Over the Flood.

The Buddha explains how he "crossed over the flood" of craving.
• [SN 1.9] Arañña Sutta - The Wilderness.

Why do the monks living in the forest look so happy?
• [SN 1.18] Hiri Sutta -- Conscience.

A lovely short teaching on the rarity and value of conscientiousness.
• [SN 1.20] Samiddhi Sutta  -- About Samiddhi.

A devata wonders: why waste time meditating in the hopes of some future reward, when one can enjoy sensual pleasures right here and now?
• [SN 1.38] Sakalika Sutta -- The Stone Sliver.

After an attempt on his life, the Buddha shows by example how to handle pain.
 
• [SN 1.41] Aditta Sutta - (The House) on Fire.

A deva visits the Buddha and recites a lovely verse on the urgency of giving.
• [SN 1.42] Kindada Sutta - A Giver of What.

The Buddha explains to a deva the true value of various kinds of gifts.

• [SN2.19] Uttara Sutta - Uttara the Deva's son.

Doing good and making merit: are these the best one can aim for in this short life?
• [SN2.69] Iccha Sutta-- Desire.

A brief and elegant summary of the heart of the Buddha's teaching.
• [SN2.70] Ghatva Sutta  -- Having Killed.

The Buddha describes one thing that deserves to be killed.

 
• [SN3.1] Dahara Sutta  -- Young.

The Buddha reminds King Pasenadi that one's age is no measure of one's wisdom.
• [SN3.4] Piya Sutta  -- Dear.

If you truly care about your own and others' welfare, then choose your actions with care!
• [SN3.6] Appaka Sutta  -- Few.

The Buddha reminds King Pasenadi of the pitfalls of wealth and luxury.
• [SN3.7] Atthakarana Sutta  -- In Judgment.

King Pasenadi discovers what motivates people to tell lies.
• [SN3.14] Sangama Sutta -- A Battle (1).

[SN3.15] Sangama Sutta  -- A Battle (2).
Two stories about the battles fought between rival kings, poignantly demonstrating how in war there is security neither for victor nor vanquished.
• [SN3.17] Appamada Sutta -- Heedfulness.

The Buddha reveals the one quality in the heart that can offer us security.
• [SN3.19] Aputtaka Sutta -- Heirless (1).

The Buddha advises a rich householder on the proper use and enjoyment of wealth.
• [SN3.20] Aputtaka Sutta  -- Heirless (2).

Give generously and without regret, or you may suffer the same sad consequences as this wealthy householder.
• [SN3.23] Loka Sutta  -- (Qualities of) the World.

Three common things in the world that inevitably lead to harm and suffering.
• [SN3.24] Issattha Sutta  -- Archery Skills.

We all know that generosity brings about good results, but to whom should we give gifts so as to reap the very highest rewards?
• [SN3.25] Pabbatopama Sutta - The Simile of the Mountains

The Buddha gives a stirring discourse to King Pasenadi on the imminence of death, and the urgency of Dhamma practice.

• [SN4.8] Nandana Sutta  -- Delight.

Are possessions a source of joy or of grief? Mara and the Buddha debate this question.
• [SN4.13] Sakalika Sutta -- The Stone Sliver.

Mara taunts the Buddha as the latter is resting after an attempt on his life.
• [SN4.9] Kassaka Sutta  -- The Farmer.

Mara proclaims his dominion over the sensory world, but the Buddha explains that he (Buddha) dwells in the one place that Mara can never go.
• [SN4.20] Rajja Sutta  -- Rulership.

Mara, seeing that the Buddha has developed the four bases of power (iddhipada), tries to pursuade him to give up the monk's life and become a righteous and powerful world ruler.

Stories of Mara's attempts to lure the nuns away from their meditation spots in the forest by asking them provocative questions. Without exception, these wise women conquer Mara decisively.
 

[SN5.1] Alavika Sutta  -- Sister Alavika

Mara: Why bother meditating? Why not just enjoy life's pleasures?

[SN5.2] Soma Sutta -- Sister Soma

Can women achieve Awakening? Ven. Sister Soma conquers this misguided question.

[SN5.3] Gotami Sutta -- Sister Gotami

Mara: Why bother sitting in solitude in the forest?

[SN5.4] Vijaya Sutta  -- Sister Vijaya.

Mara: Why don't we just put the meditation aside for awhile and go out dancing?

[SN5.5] Uppalavanna Sutta  -- Sister Uppalavanna.

Mara: Why don't you give up the solitude and danger of the forest for somewhere that's safer?

[SN5.6] Cala Sutta  -- Sister Cala

Mara: What's wrong with being reborn, anyway?

[SN5.7] Upacala Sutta -- Sister Upacala

Mara: Why not just settle for a happy rebirth among the devas?

[SN5.8] Sisupacala Sutta  -- Sister Sisupacala.

Sister Sisupacala shows Mara how following the path of Dhamma doesn't mean buying into to a fixed philosophy.

[SN5.9] Sela Sutta -- Sister Sela.

Mara tries to trip up Ven. Sister Sela with metaphysical questions.

[SN5.10] Vajira Sutta -- Sister Vajira.

Have you ever found yourself getting pulled out of meditation by some fascinating -- but utterly speculative -- train of thought? Ven. Sister Vajira shows how to deal with this situation.

• [SN6.1] Ayacana Sutta - The Request

Immediately after his Awakening, the Buddha receives a visit from Brahma Sahampati, who pleads with the Buddha to teach the Dhamma, for the sake of those "with little dust in their eyes."
• [SN6.2] Garava Sutta - Reverence

Shortly after his Awakening, the Buddha reviews the world around him, searching for another being whom he can now rightly consider to be his teacher.
• [SN6.15] Parinibbana Sutta -- Total Unbinding.

Four eyewitness accounts of the passing away of the Buddha.

• [SN7.2] Akkosa Sutta -- Insult.

What is the best response when someone is angry with you? Hint: if a host offers some food to a guest, but the guest declines the offer, to whom does the food belong?
• [SN7.6] Jata Sutta - The Tangle.

Jata Bharadvaja asks the Buddha his famous question, "Who can untangle this tangle [of craving]?" The Buddha's concise answer prompts Jata Bharadvaja's conversion and, ultimately, his attainment of arahantship.
• [SN7.14] Maha-Sala Sutta  -- Very Rich.

A touching glimpse into the sorrow that a father feels when his ungrateful children fail to honor him in his old age. Treat your parents well.
• [SN7.14] Navakammika Sutta -- The Builder.

What useful work can one possibly accomplish by sitting in meditation under a tree in the forest?

• [SN8.4] Ananda Sutta -- Ananda (Instructions to Vangisa).

Ven. Ananda offers advice to Ven. Vangisa on how to subdue lust.

• [SN9.1] Viveka Sutta  -- Seclusion.

A deva comes to the aid of a forest monk whose mind had been wandering during meditation.
• [SN9.6] Anuruddha Sutta  -- Anuruddha.

One of Ven. Anuruddha's consorts from a previous life, when he lived in the heaven of the Thirty-three, visits him and invites him back.
• [SN9.9] Vajjiputta Sutta -- The Vajjian Princeling.

If you've ever wondered about your meditation, saying "Why bother?", listen to this devata's advice.
• [SN9.11] Ayoniso-manasikara Sutta -- Inappropriate Attention.

Food for thought for a monk being gnawed by his thoughts.
• [SN9.14] Gandhatthena Sutta -- The Thief of a Scent.

Ever thought you'd like to have a guardian angel, someone to warn you whenever you were about to do wrong? Here's one who offers a lesson in being meticulous and self-reliant.

• [SN10.8] Sudatta Sutta  -- About Sudatta (Anathapindika).

Anathapindika, the wealthy benefactor who would later donate the famous Jeta's Grove monastery to the Sangha, here meets the Buddha for the first time.
• [SN10.12] Alavaka Sutta  -- To the Alavaka Yakkha.

A yakkha challenges the Buddha with riddles and threatens him: "If you can't answer me, I will possess your mind or rip open your heart or, grabbing you by the feet, hurl you across the Ganges." (This sutta also appears at Sn I.10.)

• [SN11.3] Dhajagga Sutta  -- The Top of the Standard.

Are you ever overcome by fear during meditation? The Buddha offers these recollections as an antidote.
• [SN11.5] Subhasita-jaya Sutta -- Victory Through What is Well Spoken.

Marvelous account of a debating contest between two deities concerning the best way to respond to an angry person.