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 B...

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 woul...

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 sutt...

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...

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 tra...

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 th...

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 R...

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 t...

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 i...

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...