Udana
Exclamations
The Udana, the third book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, offers a rich collection of short suttas, each of which culminates in a short verse uttered by the Buddha. Altogether there are eighty suttas, arranged in eight vaggas, or chapters.
The translator appears in the square brackets []. The braces {} contain the starting page number in the PTS romanized Pali edition.
Thanissaro Bhikkhu's complete translation, Udana: Exclamations (2012) is available as a PDF
.
1. Bodhivagga — The Chapter About Awakening
- Ud 1.1: Bodhi Sutta — The Bodhi Tree (1)/Awakening (1) {Ud 1} [Ireland | Thanissaro].
- Ud 1.2: Bodhi Sutta — The Bodhi Tree (2)/Awakening (2) {Ud 2} [Ireland | Thanissaro].
- Ud 1.3: Bodhi Sutta — The Bodhi Tree (3)/Awakening (3)
{Ud 3}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
Shortly after his Awakening, the Buddha contemplates dependent origination.
- Ud 1.4: Huhuṅka Sutta — Overbearing
{Ud 3}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha answers a question posed by an overbearing brahman.
- Ud 1.5: Brāhmaṇa Sutta — Brahmans
{Ud 3}
[Thanissaro].
The sight of a group of elder monks approaching inspires a brief exclamation from the Buddha.
- Ud 1.6: Kassapa Sutta — Mahā Kassapa
{Ud 4}
[Thanissaro].
Ven. Maha Kassapa chooses to go on his almsround among the poor and indigent, rather than among the devas.
- Ud 1.7: Aja Sutta — Aja
{Ud 4}
[Thanissaro].
A troublemaker tries to provoke the Buddha.
- Ud 1.8: Saṅgāmaji Sutta — Saṅgāmaji
{Ud 5}
[Thanissaro].
A monk is unmoved by his former wife's attempt to call him back to family life.
- Ud 1.9: Jaṭila Sutta — Ascetics
{Ud 6}
[Thanissaro].
On the futility of rituals.
Ud 1.10: Bahiya Sutta/Bāhiya Sutta — About Bahiya/Bāhiya
{Ud 6}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
The ascetic Bahiya becomes an arahant upon receiving a brief teaching from the Buddha about dispassion towards the senses ("In reference to the seen, there will be only the seen...").
2. Muccalindavagga — The Chapter About Muccalinda
- Ud 2.1: Muccalinda Sutta — About Muccalinda
{Ud 10}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
Muccalinda, king of the nagas, visits the Buddha.
- Ud 2.2: Rājā Sutta — Kings
{Ud 10}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha scolds a group of monks for chattering about politics.
- Ud 2.3: Daṇḍa Sutta — The Stick
{Ud 11}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha observes a group of boys beating a snake with a stick.
- Ud 2.4: Sakkāra Sutta — Veneration
{Ud 12}
[Thanissaro].
Ascetics from other sects become jealous of the support and respect offered to the Buddha.
- Ud 2.5: Upāsaka Sutta — The Lay Follower
{Ud 13}
[Thanissaro].
A busy layperson finally pays a visit to the Buddha.
- Ud 2.6: Gabbhini Sutta — The Pregnant Woman
{Ud 13}
[Thanissaro].
A man falls ill after drinking the oil intended for his pregnant wife.
- Ud 2.7: Ekaputta Sutta — The Only Son
{Ud 14}
[Thanissaro].
The grieving friends and family of a lay-follower's deceased son pay a visit to the Buddha.
- Ud 2.8: Suppavāsā Sutta — Suppavāsā
{Ud 15}
[Thanissaro].
This mother would gladly suffer the pain of childbirth to have a child who knows the Dhamma.
- Ud 2.9: Visākhā Sutta — Visākhā
{Ud 18}
[Thanissaro].
Visakha the laywoman pays a visit to the Buddha.
- Ud 2.10: Bhaddiya Kaligodha Sutta/Kāḷigodha Sutta — Bhaddiya/Bhaddiya Kāḷigodha
{Ud 18}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
A meditating monk proclaims the blissfulness of life as a forest recluse.
3. Nandavagga — The Chapter About Nanda
- Ud 3.1: Kamma Sutta — Former Action/Action
{Ud 21}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
A meditating monk endures the aches and pains of illness.
- Ud 3.2: Nanda Sutta — Nanda/About Nanda
{Ud 21}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
The Buddha ingeniously dissuades Ven. Nanda, his half-brother, from disrobing.
- Ud 3.3: Yasoja Sutta — About Yasoja
{Ud 24}
[Thanissaro].
A group of monks, suitably chastened by the Buddha for their raucous behavior, become arahants.
- Ud 3.4: Sāriputta Sutta — About Sāriputta
{Ud 27}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the sight of Ven. Sariputta seated in meditation.
- Ud 3.5: Kolita Sutta — Mahā Moggallāna
{Ud 27}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the sight of Ven. Maha Moggallana seated in meditation.
- Ud 3.6: Pilinda Sutta — Pilinda
{Ud 28}
[Thanissaro].
Sometimes, disrespectful behavior is done out of habit, rather than malice.
- Ud 3.7: Kassapa Sutta — Kassapa
{Ud 29}
[Thanissaro].
The king of the devas travels in disguise to give almsfood to Ven. Maha Kassapa.
- Ud 3.8: Pinda Sutta — Alms
{Ud 30}
[Thanissaro].
A monk should go on almsround for the right reasons.
- Ud 3.9: Sippa Sutta — Crafts
{Ud 31}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha reminds a group of monks that it's better to keep noble silence than to chit-chat about worldly affairs.
- Ud 3.10: Loka Sutta — (Surveying) the World
{Ud 32}
[Thanissaro].
Following his Awakening, the Buddha surveys the world with his mind's eye and sees a world full of ignorance, craving, and suffering.
4. Meghiyavagga — The Chapter About Meghiya
- Ud 4.1: Meghiya Sutta — Meghiya/About Meghiya
{Ud 34}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
An over-eager monk is assailed by unskillful states of mind, and the Buddha reminds him of the importance of associating with admirable friends.
- Ud 4.2: Uddhata Sutta — High Strung
{Ud 37}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha responds to the sight of a group of rowdy monks.
- Ud 4.3: Gopāla Sutta — The Cowherd
{Ud 38}
[Thanissaro].
A cowherd invites the monks to a meal at his home.
- Ud 4.4: Juñha Sutta — Moonlit
{Ud 39}
[Thanissaro].
A cantankerous yakkha hits Ven. Sariputta over the head, and pays the price for his stupidity.
- Ud 4.5: Naga Sutta/Nāga Sutta — The Bull Elephant
{Ud 41}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
The Buddha moves from a crowded, noisy part of the forest to a more secluded one.
- Ud 4.6: Piṇḍola Sutta — Piṇḍola
{Ud 42}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the sight of Ven. Pindola seated in meditation.
- Ud 4.7: Sāriputta Sutta — Sāriputta
{Ud 43}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the sight of Ven. Sariputta seated in meditation.
- Ud 4.8: Sundarī Sutta — Sundarī
{Ud 43}
[Thanissaro].
A rival group of wanderers commit murder in an attempt to discredit the Buddha and his followers.
- Ud 4.9: Upasena Vaṅgantaputta Sutta — Upasena Vaṅgantaputta
{Ud 45}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the attainments of Ven. Upasena Vangataputta.
- Ud 4.10: Sāriputta Sutta — Sāriputta
{Ud 46}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the sight of Ven. Sariputta seated in meditation.
5. Sonavagga — The Chapter About Sona
- Ud 5.1: Rājan Sutta — The King
{Ud 47}
[Thanissaro].
Queen Mallika and King Pasenadi inquire of each other, "Is there anyone more dear to you than yourself?"
- Ud 5.2: Appāyuka Sutta — Short-lived
{Ud 47}
[Thanissaro].
Life is short; practice ardently!
- Ud 5.3: Kuṭṭhi Sutta — The Leper
{Ud 48}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha instructs a leper, who soon attains stream-entry.
- Ud 5.4: Kumāra Sutta — Boys
{Ud 51}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha comes upon two boys catching fish, and speaks to them about physical pain.
- Ud 5.5: Uposatha Sutta — The Observance Day/Uposatha
{Ud 51}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
The Buddha compares the qualities of the Dhamma to those of the ocean.
- Ud 5.6: Soṇa Sutta — Soṇa
{Ud 57}
[Thanissaro].
A devoted lay follower recognizes the drawbacks of the householder's life and decides to become a monk.
- Ud 5.7: Revata Sutta — About Revata
{Ud 60}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the sight of Ven. Revata seated in meditation.
- Ud 5.8: Ānanda Sutta — Ānanda
{Ud 60}
[Thanissaro].
Devatta announces his intention to create a schism in the Sangha.
- Ud 5.9: Sadhāyamāna Sutta — Jeering
{Ud 61}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha reflects on the empty words of a group of boisterous youths.
- Ud 5.10: Panthaka Sutta — Cūḷa Panthaka
{Ud 61}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by the sight of Ven. Cūḷa Panthaka seated in meditation.
6. Jaccandhavagga — Blind from Birth
- Ud 6.1: Āyusama-osajjana Sutta — Relinquishment of the Life Force
{Ud 62}
[Thanissaro].
Māra urges the Buddha to give up his life and Ānanda misses an opportunity to extend it.
- Ud 6.2: Paṭisalla Sutta — Seclusion
{Ud 64}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha explains to King Pasenadi how to spot another person's good qualities.
- Ud 6.3: Ahu Sutta — It Was
{Ud 66}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha reflects on the unskillful qualities he has abandoned and the skillful ones he has perfected.
- Ud 6.4: Tittha Sutta — Sectarians (1)
{Ud 66}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
The Buddha's famous simile of the blind men and the elephant, illustrating the futility of arguing about one's views and opinions.
- Ud 6.5: Tittha Sutta — Sectarians (2)
{Ud 70}
[Thanissaro].
- Ud 6.6: Tittha Sutta — Sectarians (3)
{Ud 70}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha overhears some heated arguments between various speculative philosophers.
- Ud 6.7: Subhūti Sutta — Subhūti
{Ud 71}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha praises a monk for practicing jhana.
- Ud 6.8: Gaṇika Sutta — The Courtesan
{Ud 71}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by reports of deadly battles over the affections of a certain courtesan.
- Ud 6.9: Adhipataka Sutta/Upāti Sutta — Like Moths to the Flame/Rushing
{Ud 72}
[Olendzki | Thanissaro].
Like moths to a flame, we are drawn by sense desire.
- Ud 6.10: Uppajjanti Sutta — They Appear
{Ud 72}
[Thanissaro].
7. Culavagga — The Minor Chapter
- Ud 7.1: Bhaddiya Sutta — Bhaddiya (1)
{Ud 74}
[Thanissaro].
Ven. Sariputta guides Ven. Bhaddiya to the brink of arahantship.
- Ud 7.2: Bhaddiya Sutta — Bhaddiya (2)
{Ud 74}
[Thanissaro].
Ven Sariputta, failing to see that Ven. Bhaddiya is now an arahant, continues instructing him.
- Ud 7.3: Kāmesu Satta Sutta — Attached to Sensual Pleasures (1) {Ud 75} [Thanissaro].
- Ud 7.4: Kāmesu Satta Sutta — Attached to Sensual Pleasures (2)
{Ud 75}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha reflects on people's addictions to sensuality.
- Ud 7.5: Apara Lakuntaka Bhaddiya Sutta/Lakuṇṭha Sutta — Another Discourse about Bhaddiya the Dwarf/The Dwarf
{Ud 76}
[Nizamis | Thanissaro].
Inner wisdom and outward appearance are unrelated.
- Ud 7.6: Taṇhākhaya Sutta — The Ending of Craving
{Ud 76}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha sees Ven. Añña Kondañña seated in meditation.
- Ud 7.7: Papañcakhaya Sutta — The Ending of Objectification
{Ud 77}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha reflects on his own state of mind.
- Ud 7.8: Kaccāyana Sutta — Kaccāyana
{Ud 77}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha sees Ven. Mahā Kaccāyana in meditation
- Ud 7.9: Udapāna Sutta — The Well
{Ud 78}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
In a rare display of supernatural powers, the Buddha makes a point of Dhamma to Ven. Ānanda.
- Ud 7.10: Udena Sutta — About King Udena
{Ud 79}
[Thanissaro].
Five hundred enlightened women perish in a fire.
8. Pataligamiyavagga — The Chapter About Patali Village
- Ud 8.1: Nibbāna Sutta — Parinibbana (1)/Unbinding (1) {Ud 80} [Ireland | Thanissaro].
- Ud 8.2: Nibbāna Sutta — Parinibbana (2)/Unbinding (2) {Ud 80} [Ireland | Thanissaro].
- Ud 8.3: Nibbāna Sutta — Parinibbana (3)/Unbinding (3) {Ud 80} [Ireland | Thanissaro].
- Ud 8.4: Nibbāna Sutta — Parinibbana (4)/Unbinding (4)
{Ud 81}
[Ireland | Thanissaro].
On the nature of Nibbāna.
- Ud 8.5: Cunda Sutta — Cunda
{Ud 81}
[Thanissaro].
An account of the Buddha's last meal.
- Ud 8.6: Pāṭaligāma Sutta — At Pāṭaligā Village
{Ud 85}
[Thanissaro].
On the rewards of being virtuous.
- Ud 8.7: Dvidhapatha Sutta — A Fork in the Path
{Ud 90}
[Thanissaro].
A monk takes a wrong turn and gets mugged.
- Ud 8.8: Visākhā Sutta — Visākhā
{Ud 91}
[Thanissaro].
The laywoman Visakha, grieving over the death of a grandchild, receives a powerful teaching concerning clinging and death.
- Ud 8.9: Dabba Sutta — About Dabba Mallaputta (1)
{Ud 92}
[Thanissaro].
- Ud 8.10: Dabba Sutta — About Dabba Mallaputta (2)
{Ud 93}
[Thanissaro].
The Buddha is inspired by Ven. Dabba Mallaputta's spectacular death and attainment of Parinibbana.