Part IV - Vibhahga Vagga

(1) Bhaddekaratta Sutta

This sutta which means 'a discourse on a night of good meditation' gives a detailed description of Vipassana meditation The Buddha urged the bhikkhus not to dwell in the past which was #one, nor to seek the future which was unattained yet, but to perceive the dhanima in the phenomena presently occurring, at the same tune not becoming involved in and attached to them

(2) Ananda-bhaddekaratta Sutta

This is a discourse in which the Venerable Ananda repeated to the bhikkhus the Bhaddekaratta Sutta, for which performance he was highly commended by the Buddha

(3) Mafaakaccaaa-bfaaddekaratta Sutta

This is a detailed exposition by the Venerable Mahakaccana on Vipassam meditation of the five khandhas as explained by the Buddha in the Bhaddekaratta Sutta. The Venerable Mahakaccana was commended by the Buddha for his exposition

(4) Lomasakaftgiya-bhaddekaratta Sutta

This is a detailed exposition by the Venerable Lomasakangiya on Vipassana meditation of the five khandas as explained in the Bhaddekaratta Sutta

(5) Culakamma-vibha&ga Sutta

Young Subha, son of the Brahmin Todeyya, was curious to know why some were born in high class families, some in low class families, why some were born nch, others poor, why some were beautiful, others ugly, why some were of good health with a long span of life, others of poor health with a short span of life, etc He approached the Buddha and asked fourteen questions in all to satisfy his curiosity The Buddha gave a long discourse on kamma and its resultant effects. Deeds, words and thoughts have endless consequences of joy and sorrow to be experienced in this very life and hereafter Men depend on their own deeds and nothing else for their condition and status in life

(6) Mahakamma-vibhanga Sutta

Tins is another discourse on kamma and its resultant effects which are most difficult to foresee. How the workings of kamma were most strange and surprising were explained with reference to four types of individuals

(7) Salayatana-vibhanga Sutta

This discourse is a detailed analytical exposition on six internal sense bases, six external sense bases, six types of consciousness arising from six types of contact, etc , by the Buddha.

(8) Uddesa-vibhafiga Sutta

In this discourse, the Buddha taught briefly how restraint of the mind with regard to external sense bases and non-attachment to internal sense bases led to the cessation of suffering. The Venerable Kaccana gave an exposition on this subject which earned him praise from the Buddha.

(9) Arapa-vibhaiiga Sutta

This discourse is an exhortation on the practice of the Middle Path, avoiding the two extremes of indulgence m sensual pleasures and practice of self-mortification, and on modes of conduct, not indulging in backbiting, not keeping of colloquial vocabulary only and not spurning the conventional usage of the language, but speaking gently, slowly

(10) Dhatu-vibhafiga Sutta

This is an important discourse taught to Pukkusati, a recluse who had left the homelife inspired by the fame of Gotama Buddha whom he had not yet met and whom he was on his way to see The Buddha went purposely to meet this recluse in a potter's hut to teach this discourse* A man is made up of six elements, namely, solidity, fluidity, heat, motion, space and consciousness On analysis, none of these elements is found to be 'mine' or 'me' or *my self All of them are subject to the law of impermanence, so are the three types of sensation When a bhikkhu perceives the real nature of the physical and mental phenomena, he becomes endowed with absolute wisdom, knowledge of the Noble Truth

(11) Sacca-vibhafiga Sutta

In this discourse the Buddha taught the bhikkhus the Four Noble Truths as he had done at the time of giving the discourse* on the Turning of the Wheel of Dhamma at Isipatana in Baranasi He then urged the bhikkhus to seek guidance from the two theras, the Venerable Sanputta and the Venerable Maha Moggallana, likening the Venerable Sanputta to a mother and the Venerable Maha Moggallana to a foster-mother The Venerable Sariputta could analyse and explain the Four Noble Truths m detail and lead them to the stage of the first Path and Fruition The Venerable Maha Moggallana could then lead them on till the highest Path and Fruition, the Arahatship, was achieved

(12) Dakkhina-vibhahga Sutta

This discourse was given to the Buddha's foster-mother Mahapajapati on the occasion of her offering to the Buddha a set of robes made by her own hand The Buddha urged his foster-mother to make the offering to the Samgha, the community of bhikkhus He enumerated fourteen kinds of donations to individuals and seven kinds of donations to the Samgha, explaining the superior benefit accruing from offerings made to the Samgha