Originally the Buddha’s teachings were preserved orally by monks trained in memorization. Listening to recordings of the suttas can put us back in touch with this tradition. Repetitions that are seem unnecessary in print come to life when read aloud. These are resources for free audio book recordings of the suttas. If you know of … Read more
Think about the minimum amount of time that you believe you can commit to reading and reflecting on suttas each day. Don’t be afraid to start small! It’s better to start with something very short and let the words and the meaning draw you in to deeper practice. Once you decide, make a real plan … Read more
This page contains contact information specifically for print copies of sutta texts, either for purchase, free distribution or PDF Download. You may also be interested in the document Building a Sutta Library. Sources: Printed books, commercial Wisdom Publications wisdompubs.org. All of these books are available in both print and e-book (epub, Kindle, pdf) without DRM. … Read more
An anthology is a collection of ancient scriptures organized around a topic. This is a great way for people new to reading the suttas as well as more experienced readers to delve deeply into a single concept. We recommend all of the anthologies below. You may want to print out the simple chart of the … Read more
Anthologies of suttas from the Pali canon are great for a daily sutta practice. See the list of anthologies for books to use. If you aren’t sure which one to pick, you can’t go wrong with In the Buddha’s Words by Bhikkhu Bodhi. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you are reading. … Read more
It’s great to use a small blank book for your personal anthology. They are easy to carry around and keep near by for when you need to read the teachings. It can be tricky, though, to write neatly on such a small surface. Here are some tips to make things easier. Pencil or Pen If … Read more
General Approach Attitude: Humility and patience will help you build confidence (saddhā) which is essential. Do not expect to grasp the meaning of a sutta right away. Continue your engagement regardless of your initial reaction. Eventually you will be able to understand all of the suttas. There will be plenty of suttas that are immediately … Read more
When we read the suttas faithfully, we are going to find passages that strongly resonate with us. Turn those into a personal anthology.
