Opening the First Door into the Ocean of the Dhamma

The Dīgha Nikāya (Long Discourses) is the first of the five Nikāyas in the Pāli Canon of Theravāda Buddhism. It contains 34 lengthy suttas—like great rivers flowing into the ocean of Nibbāna—preserving the original teachings of the Buddha Śākyamuni, addressed to monks, kings, Brahmins, and laypeople of his time.

This collection is an ideal gateway for those wishing to approach the Tipiṭaka, especially through complete, detailed, and liberating discourses full of wisdom.

🌿 What does the Dīgha Nikāya contain?

The Dīgha Nikāya comprises 34 long suttas, divided into three major sections:

1. Part I – The Section on Morality (Sīlakkhandha Vagga)

Includes 13 suttas.

Presents teachings on morality, meditation, wisdom, and dialogues between the Buddha and non-Buddhist practitioners.

Highlights:

• The Fruits of the Contemplative Life (Samaññaphala Sutta): Describes the stages of meditative attainment in monastic life.
• The Ambaṭṭha Sutta: A dialogue about caste, human dignity, and truth.

2. Part II – The Great Section (Mahāvagga)

Includes 10 suttas.

Covers cosmology, karma, rebirth, and fundamental doctrines.

Highlights:

• The Great Discourse on the Foundations of Mindfulness (Mahāsatipaṭṭhāna Sutta): A foundational teaching on insight meditation—body, feelings, mind, and mental phenomena.
• The Great Discourse on the Lineage (Mahāpadāna Sutta): Discusses the lives and vows of past Buddhas.

3. Part III – The Section of the Brahmins (Pāthika Vagga)

Includes 11 suttas.

Addresses false beliefs, wrong views of the time, and the Buddha’s refutations using wisdom.

Highlights:

• The Pāṭika Sutta: Exposes the illusions behind magical rituals.
• The Lokāyatika Sutta: Refutes sophistry and deceptive argumentation.

📘 Things to Know Before Reading the Dīgha Nikāya

• Ancient language, many Pāli terms: Don’t be discouraged by unfamiliar words—read slowly and learn step by step.
• Not all suttas are “easy to grasp”: Some are dialogues, others deeply philosophical—be patient and stay curious.
• Reading and practice go hand-in-hand: A single sutta, when reflected upon in daily life, brings more benefit than a thousand empty words.
• Read as a practitioner, not a scholar: Approach the suttas with humility, as if listening to the Buddha himself—that is the best way to read.

🌺 Why Read the Dīgha Nikāya?

• To understand the Buddha’s original teachings—unadulterated and pure.
• To gain a panoramic view of the Dhamma—from ethics and meditation to wisdom and liberation.
• To begin a well-grounded path of practice—free from confusion and superstition.
• And ultimately, to live more mindfully—with each breath, each step.

📥 Download the Dīgha Nikāya (Vietnamese Translation – PDF)

Click the link below to download the full Vietnamese translation of the Dīgha Nikāya:
👉 DOWNLOAD DĪGHA NIKĀYA – VIETNAMESE TRANSLATION (PDF) (Vietnamese version)

🧘‍♂️ Final Words

The Buddha once said:

“Monks, go forth for the good of the many, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.”

By reading and sharing the Dīgha Nikāya, you are continuing this sacred aspiration. May each page you turn be like a lotus blooming in your heart—gentle, pure, and liberating.

Namo Śākyamuni Buddha.

BÀI VIẾT LIÊN QUAN