The Sutta Nipata ("The Sutta Collection"), the fifth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, consists of 71 short suttas divided into five vaggas (chapters).
A useful printed translation of the complete Sutta Nipata is K.R. Norman's The Group of Discourses (2nd ed.) (Oxford: Pali Text Society, 2001). Excerpts from the Sutta Nipata also appear in Handful of Leaves (Vol. 4), Thanissaro Bhikkhu, trans. (Santa Cruz: Sati Center for Buddhist Studies, 2003). Another popular (though occasionally inaccurate) translation is H. Saddhatissa's The Sutta-Nipata (London: Curzon Press, 1985). Some of the passages listed below originally appeared in John Ireland's The Discourse Collection: Ausgewählte Texte aus dem Sutta Nipata, (BPS "Wheel" Publication No. 82).
The braces {} contain the corresponding verse numbers in the original Pali text, as listed in H. Saddhatissa's The Sutta-Nipata (London: Curzon Press, 1985).
1. Uragavagga — The Snake Chapter
2. Culavagga — The Lesser Chapter
3. Mahavagga — The Great Chapter
5. Parayanavagga — The Chapter on the Way to the Far Shore
See The Parayanavagga — The Chapter on the Way to the Far Shore: An Introduction, by Thanissaro Bhikkhu.
- Sn 5.1: Ajita-manava-puccha — Ajita's Questions
{Sn 1032-1039}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
The Buddha summarizes the essence of Dhamma training: "Not craving for sensual pleasures, and with a mind that is pure and tranquil."
- Sn 5.2: Tissa-metteyya-manava-puccha — Tissa-metteyya's Questions
{Sn 1040-1042}
[Thanissaro].
Who in the world is truly contented, truly free, truly a great person?
- Sn 5.3: Punnaka-manava-puccha — Punnaka's Questions
{Sn 1043-1048}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
The Buddha explains that birth and aging can never be transcended by performing hopeful rituals, but only by extinguishing the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion.
Sn 5.4: Mettagu-manava-puccha — Mettagu's Questions
{Sn 1049-1060}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
How does one cross the flood of birth and old age, sorrow and grief?
- Sn 5.5: Dhotaka-manava-puccha — Dhotaka's Questions
{Sn 1061-1068}
[Thanissaro].
How can one become freed of all doubt?
Sn 5.6: Upasiva-manava-puccha — Upasiva's Questions
{Sn 1069-1076}
[Thanissaro].
What support should one hold on to in order to cross over the raging flood of craving?
- Sn 5.7: Nanda-manava-puccha — Nanda's Questions
{Sn 1077-1083}
[Thanissaro].
Who, exactly, deserves to be called "wise"?
- Sn 5.8: Hemaka-manava-puccha — Hemaka's Question
{Sn 1084-1087}
[Thanissaro].
How can we demolish craving and free ourselves from entanglement with the world?
- Sn 5.9: Todeyya-manava-puccha — Todeyya's Questions
{Sn 1088-1091}
[Thanissaro].
So — what's it like, being emancipated, anyway?
Sn 5.10: Kappa-manava-puccha — Kappa's Question
{Sn 1092-1095}
[Thanissaro].
Is there anywhere safe to stand where we won't be swept away by aging and death?
- Sn 5.11: Jatukanni-manava-puccha — Jatukannin's Question
{Sn 1096-1100}
[Thanissaro].
How does one abandon birth and aging?
- Sn 5.12: Bhadravudha-manava-puccha — Bhadravudha's Questions
{Sn 1101-1104}
[Thanissaro].
Bhadravudha asks of the Buddha: How did you come to know the Dhamma?
- Sn 5.13: Udaya-manava-puccha — Udaya's Questions
{Sn 1105-1111}
[Thanissaro].
In what way should one live mindfully, so as to bring about Awakening?
- Sn 5.14: Posala-manava-puccha — Posala's Questions
{Sn 1112-1115}
[Thanissaro].
How does one develop insight after mastering the higher levels of jhana?
- Sn 5.15: Mogharaja-manava-puccha — Mogharaja's Question
{Sn 1116-1119}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
How should one view the world so as to escape Death's grasp?
- Sn 5.16: Pingiya-manava-puccha — Pingiya's Question
{Sn 1120-1123}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
Alarmed by the deterioration of his aging body, Pingiya asks the Buddha how to conquer birth and decay.