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TEACHINGS | EASTERN HORIZON 17

A Brief Introduction to

the Pāli Suttapiṭaka:

the Five Nikāyas, Part II

By Venerable Dr R. Chandawimala Thero

Associate Professor, Buddhist College of Singapore, at KMSPKS Monastery

Eastern Horizon is pleased to publish Bhante’s suttaṅkitassa majjhimāgamavarassa buddhānubuddha
article on the Pali Sutta Pitaka in two parts. The saṃvaṇṇitassa paravādamathanassa”. The meaning
first part in this issue was published in the January is: With middle-length discourses, designated as
2024 issue. This is the final part of the paper. Majjhimāgama, praised by the Buddha and arahants and
surpassing the teachings of others”.
The Majjhimanikāya - The Middle Length Discourses of
The Majjhimanikāya contains lots of philosophical
the Buddha
discussions between Buddha and his followers,
Buddha and other religious followers and Buddhist
The Majjhimanikāya comes as the second collection of
followers and non-Buddhist followers. When we
the Sutta Piṭaka. The Papañcasūdanī, the commentary
look into the suttas of the Majjhimanikāya, the term
to the Majjhimanikāya records that the name
‘paravādamathanassa’ is suitable for it.
‘Majjhimanikāya’ is given to this section considering
the length of the suttas. Compared to the suttas of
Almost 1/6 (one-sixth) of the suttas of the
the Dīghanikāya, the suttas of the Majjhimanikāya are
Majjhimanikāya have been delivered by the Śrāvakas
relatively shorter. But there are some longer suttas
(Śrāvakabhāṣita) and the rest are Buddhabhāṣita.
in the Majjhimanikāya whereas some suttas of the
Śrāvakabhāṣita is from the immediate prominent
Dīghanikāya are shorter than them.
disciples of the Buddha such as Ven Śārīputra. Only one
sutta of the Majjhimanikāya has been delivered by a
There are 152 suttas of the Majjhimanikāya and they
female śrāvaka (Śrāvikā) and it is the Cūlavedallasutta
are divided into three sections, the first two sections
by Bhikkhuṇī Dhammadinnā. Arhat Śārīputra gets the
consist of 50 suttas each and the last section consists
first place in delivering the suttas here and they are 10
of 52 suttas. They are called ‘paṇṇāsa’, Sets of Fifty or
in number. The Śrāvakabhāṣitas are given right below.
‘paṇṇāsaka’, ‘Fifties’ and given as follows.
Arahant Sāriputta
i. Mūlapaṇṇāsaka – the first fifties
ii. Majjhimapaṇṇāsaka – the middle fifties
i. Mahāhatthipadopama Sutta (28) – The Greater
iii. Uparipaṇṇāsaka - the upper fifties
Discourse on the Simile of the Elephant’s Footprint
ii. Mahāvedalla Sutta (43) – The Greater Series of
Each Paṇṇāsaka is divided into five Vaggas (chapters
Questions and Answers
or divisions) and each Vagga has ten suttas. But the last
iii. Anangaṇa Sutta (05) – Without Blemishes
Vagga of the Uparipaṇṇāsaka has 12 suttas.
iv. Sammādiṭṭhi Sutta (09) – Right View
v. Gulissāni Sutta (69) – Gulissāni
The Papañcasūdanī explains the special characteristics
of the Majjhimanikāya as follows. “Majjhimappamāṇa vi. Dhānañjāni Sutta (97) – To Dhānañjāni