The Digha Nikaya ("Collection of Long Discourses") is the first of the five
nikayas (collections) in the Sutta Pitaka. Some of the most commonly referenced
suttas from the Digha Nikaya include the Maha-parinibbana Sutta (DN 16), which
described the final days and death of the Buddha, the Sigalovada Sutta (DN 31)
in which the Buddha discusses ethics and practices for lay followers, and the
Samaññaphala (DN 2), Brahmajala Sutta (DN 1) which describes and compares the
point-of-view of Buddha and other ascetics in India about the universe and time
(past, present, and future); and Potthapada Sutta (DN 9), which describe the
benefits and practice of samatha meditation (calm meditation).
[edit] Vaggas
The Digha Nikaya consists of 34 discourses, broken into three vaggas (groups):
Silakkhandha-vagga -- The Division Concerning Morality (13 suttas)
Brahmajala Sutta (1) "The Net of Brahma" or the Perfect Net, in which are
caught all the 62 heretical forms of speculation concerning the world and
the self taught by other teachers of the time.
Samannaphala Sutta (2) "The fruits of the Homeless Life". The Buddha
explains to King Ajatasattu the advantages of joining the Buddhist Order and
renouncing the life of the world.
Ambattha Sutta (3) Pride of birth and its fall. A dialogue with Ambattha on
caste. Contains reference to the legend of King Okkaka, the traditional
founder of the Sakya clan.
Sonadanda Sutta (4) Dialogue with the Brahmin Sonadanda on the
characteristics of the true brahmin.
Kutadanta Sutta (5) Dialogue with the Brahmin Kutadanta condemning animal
sacrifice.
Mahali Sutta (6) Dialogue with Mahali on deva like vision and hearing and
the attainment of full enlightenment.
Jaliya Sutta (7) On the nature of the life principle as compared with the
body.
Kassapasihanada Sutta (8) A dialogue with the naked ascetic Kassapa against
self-mortification.
Potthapada Sutta (9) A discussion with Potthapada on the nature of the soul,
in which the Buddha states the question to be irrelevant and not conducive
to enlightenment.
Subha Sutta (Digna Nikaya) (10) A discourse, attributed to Ananda, on
conduct, concentration and wisdom.
Kevaddha Sutta (11) The Buddha refuses to allow a bhikkhu to perform a
miracle. Story of the monk who visited the devas (deities) to question them.
Lohicca Sutta (12) Dialogue with the Brahmin Lohicca on the ethics of
teaching.
Tevijja Sutta (13) On the futility of a knowledge of the Vedas as means to
attaining companionship with Brahma.
Maha-vagga -- The Large Division (10 suttas)
Maha-padana Sutta (14) The Sublime Story of the Buddha Gotama and his six
predecessors; also the Discourse on the Buddha Vipassi; his descent from the
Tusita heaven to the commencement of his mission.
Maha-nidana Sutta (15) On the Chain of Causation and theories of the soul.
Maha-parinibbana Sutta (16) The Great Discourse of the record of the passing
of the Tathagata into Parinibbana.
Maha Sudassana Sutta (17) The Great King of Glory. The story of a previous
existence of the Buddha, as King Sudassana. Told by the Buddha on his
death-bed.
Janavasabha Sutta (18) The Buddha relates the story of the yakkha (demon)
Janavasabha to the people of Nadika.
Maha Govinda Sutta (19) The heavenly musician Pancasikha relates the story
of Maha Govinda to the Buddha, who states that he himself was Maha Govinda.
Maha-samaya Sutta (20) The Devas of the Pure Abode and their evolution.
Sakkapanha Sutta (21) Sakka, the lord of devas visits the Buddha, and learns
from him that everything that originates is subject also to dissolution.
Maha-satipatthana Sutta (22) Discourse on the Four Great Meditations, on the
body, feelings thoughts and states of mind. With a commentary on the Four
Truths.
Payasi Sutta (23) Kumarakassapa converts Payasi from the heresy that there
is no future life or reward of actions.
Patika-vagga -- The Patika Division (11 suttas)
Patika Sutta (24) Story of the disciple who follows other teachers because
the Buddha does not work miracles or teach the origin of things.
Udumbarikasihanada Sutta (25) The Buddha discusses asceticism with the
ascetic Nigrodha.
Cakkavattisihanada Sutta (26) Story of the universal king, the corruption of
morals and their restoration, and the coming of the future Buddha Metteya.
Agganna Sutta (27) A discussion on caste, and an exposition on the origin of
things (as in Sutta 24) down to the origin of the four castes.
Sampasadaniya Sutta (28) A dialogue of the Buddha with Sariputta, who
describes the Teaching of the Buddha and asserts his faith in him.
Pasadika Sutta (29) The Delectable Discourse. Discourse of the Buddha on the
perfect and the imperfect teacher.
Lakkhana Sutta (30) On the 32 marks of a Great Man.
Sigalovada Sutta (31) The Sigala homily on the duties of the householder to
the six classes of persons.
Atanatiya Sutta (32) On the Four Great Kings and their spell for protection
against evil.
Sangiti Sutta (33) Sariputta outlines the principles of the Teaching in ten
numerical groups.
Dasuttara Sutta (34) Sariputta outlines the doctrine in tenfold series.
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