Sutta References – Organized by Subject

Compiled by David Johnson | Edited for structure and clarity by TWIMBot

📿 1. Meditation & HindrancesIncludes jhāna, tranquilization vs suppression, and meditation-related insight.
  • Tranquilizing vs Suppressing (Proof of Relax Step)
    • SN 54.1.1 Anapanasamyutta – Tranquilizing mental and bodily formations (passambhayaṃ) leads to jhāna.
    • AN 5.27 Samadhi Sutta – Concentration is gained through full tranquilization, not suppression.
    • AN 9.37 Ānanda – Describes samādhi that is “not held in place by suppression,” resulting in enlightenment.
    • SN 54.5.5 Fruits of Anapanasati – 7 benefits of breath meditation, including rebirth in the Akaniṭṭha realm.
    • DN 2 Samannaphala Sutta – Describes how joy arises through tranquilizing formations.
    • SN 20.4 Pots of Food – A moment of lovingkindness is more powerful than large acts of charity.
  • Jhāna Practice
    • AN 3.63 Venaga – Jhāna can be done in walking, standing, sitting, and lying down.
    • SN 46.54 Accompanied by Lovingkindness – Brahmavihāras take you through jhānas (4th – Metta, 5th – Karuna).
    • AN 4.125 Good Will (1) – Attaining jhāna once guarantees rebirth in Brahmaloka.
    • AN 5.27 Samadhi – Proof that tranquilization, not forceful suppression, leads to correct samadhi.
  • Warnings about Absorption Jhāna
    • AN 116(4) – Rebirth in formless realms may result in falling to hell unless one is a noble disciple.
    • Commentary references: Danger of falling from Brahmaloka even after high jhāna.

❤️ 2. Loving-Kindness (Metta) and Brahmavihāras
  • AN 11.15 – The Eleven Benefits of Metta: Includes peaceful sleep, non-injury, and favorable rebirth.
  • SN 20.4 – A moment of metta is more meritorious than many pots of food given in charity.
  • SN 46.54 – Metta corresponds to 4th jhāna, Karuna to 5th, Mudita to 6th, Upekkha to 7th.
  • DN 19 Mahāgovinda Sutta – Brahmavihāras alone do not lead to Nibbāna; insight is necessary afterward.
  • Mittanisamsa Sutta – Benefits of friendship/metta include protection from accidents and rebirth security.

🌀 3. Dependent Origination & Teachings
  • SN 12.1.1 – Classic Dependent Origination formula.
  • MN 38 – "One who sees dependent origination sees the Dhamma."
  • SN 12.60 – Ānanda is corrected for thinking Dependent Origination is simple.
  • SN 16.13 Kassapasamyutta – On counterfeit Dhamma.
  • DN 16 Mahāparinibbāna Sutta – How to determine if a teaching is the Buddha's.
  • SN 51.10.10 Iddhipādasamyutta – Ānanda could have asked the Buddha to live longer.

🧘 4. Stream Entry & Awakening
  • AN 9.23 Taṇhāmūlakasutta – Nine things rooted in craving.
  • AN 199 – Eighteen types of craving-verbalizations.
  • SN 55.5(2) Sotāpattisamyutta – Sariputta defines Stream as the Noble Eightfold Path.
  • SN 25.1 Okhantisamyutta – Dhamma-follower and Faith-follower = on the path to stream entry.
  • AN 241 (10) – Four recluse stages: Sotāpanna → Sakadagami → Anagami → Arahant.
  • AN 94(3), AN 219(9) – Jhanānāgāmī status for those who attain jhānas and become Sotāpanna/Sakadagami.
  • DN 28 Sampasādanīya Sutta – Describes true (noble) psychic powers: Nibbāna itself.

✨ 5. Arahantship & Liberation
  • MN 97 Dhananjani Sutta – Buddha corrects Sariputta for not teaching all the way to Nibbāna.
  • MN 149 – Serenity and Insight are yoked together, not to be practiced separately.
  • DN 19 – Describes disciples who attain arahantship or other stages.
  • DN 9 Poṭṭhapāda Sutta – Describes cessation of perception through release from thinking.

🌍 6. Karma, Cosmology & Rebirth
  • AN 8.51 Gotami – Letting women into the Sangha didn’t shorten the sasana.
  • AN 6.40 Kimbila – Dhamma won’t last due to lack of reverence and hospitality.
  • AN 4.125, AN 116(4) – Rebirth in jhāna realms and their implications.
  • Divyāvadāna: Supriya the Bull – Faith in the Buddha can lead to Pacceka Buddhahood.
  • SN 3.6 Appaka Sutta – Wealth leads to heedlessness and intoxication.

🍽️ 7. Ethics, Precepts & Daily Life
  • Anguttara Nikāya 5.213 – Benefits of keeping the Five Precepts.
  • AN 208(8) – Dangers of not brushing teeth.
  • AN 207(7) – Benefits of rice porridge.
  • AN 209(9) – Dangers of chanting in a “sing-song” tone.
  • AN 107(5) – Singing = wailing, dancing = madness, excessive laughter = childishness.
  • AN 74(4) – Mindfulness of death – reflection leads to urgency in meditation.
  • AN 160(10) – The urge to travel is one of the hardest things to dispel.
  • AN 32(1) – Two people not easy to repay: mother and father.

🧾 8. Definitions & Rare Terms
  • AN 49(9) – Four Inversions of Perception (Seeing pain as pleasure, etc.).
  • DN 2 – "Jhana arises not from staying on object, but from letting go of hindrance."
  • SN 35.88.5 With Puṇṇa – Story of Venerable Puṇṇa's positive attitude in adversity.
  • Various Commentary – Jhānānāgāmī definition, “Singing = Wailing,” and more.

📌 Appendix / Miscellaneous
  • Divyāvadāna – Buddha forbids alcohol to monks after Svāgata incident.
  • Bhikkhu Bodhi's Notes – Sāsana may not be shortened, but its quality may be affected.