In short: start with short, practical suttas: the Kalama Sutta (test teachings for yourself), the Mangala Sutta (the highest blessings), the Karaniya Metta Sutta (loving-kindness) and the first sermon (the Four Noble Truths). Then move to mindfulness of breathing and the Satipatthana Sutta. Free translations are on SuttaCentral.
Start here
- Kalama Sutta: test teachings for yourself
- Mangala Sutta: the highest blessings
- Karaniya Metta Sutta: loving-kindness
- Satipatthana Sutta: foundations of mindfulness
- First sermon: the Four Noble Truths
- Anapanasati: mindfulness of breathing
- Sigalovada Sutta: ethics for everyday life
- Poisoned arrow: practical over speculative
- The second arrow: pain and suffering
- The Fire Sermon: letting go
- Not-self discourse
- Ratana Sutta: the jewel discourse
- The Dhammapada: verses on the path
- Angulimala: the power of change
- Bahiya: just seeing, just hearing
- Simile of the saw: patience under attack
How to read a sutta
- Read one short sutta slowly, then sit for five minutes with one line.
- Read our plain-English page first, then the full text on SuttaCentral.
- Notice repetitions: the Buddha repeated key points on purpose.
Background: what is the Tipitaka? · did the Buddha really say that? · what Buddhists believe
Questions people ask
Which sutta should I read first?
Many teachers suggest the Kalama Sutta, the Mangala Sutta or the first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta) for a first read.
What is a sutta?
A discourse attributed to the Buddha or his close disciples, preserved in the Pali Canon.
Where can I read suttas for free?
SuttaCentral offers free translations, including those by Bhikkhu Sujato, which our pages cite.