Translating Classical Buddhism to Modern English

The Numerical Discourses

(S. Ekottarika Āgama; C. 增壹阿含經)


The Numerical Discourses is a collection of Āgama sūtras that was translated to Chinese by Dharmanandi and edited by a team headed by Gautama Saṃghadeva and Daoan between 384-5 CE in Changan. The exact date of the version that has survived to the present-day is unclear. This is because it underwent redactions and at least two recensions circulated for a time. We can say with certainty that Gautama Saṃghadeva was not the translator given the large difference in style between this collection and the Medium Discourses. Further reading about the history of this text can be found in Palumbo’s An Early Chinese Commentary on the Ekottarika-āgama.

The Numerical Discourses collection has been a source of some controversy among scholars because it contains a number of passages of clearly Mahāyāna inspiration. It also represents an early canonical tradition that doesn’t align entirely with Theravāda or Sarvāstivāda Buddhism. Some scholars have speculated that it represents a tradition of Mahāsāṃghika Buddhism, but there are important differences between its content and what remains of that tradition’s texts. In any case, this version of the Numerical Discourses provides us with an alternative glimpse of early Buddhism as it once existed in India.

Like the Theravādin Aṅguttara Nikāya (AN), the Numerical Discourses is arranged into divisions that have a numerical theme, starting with topics consisting of one item and ending with topics of eleven items. These larger divisions are not explicitly titled as such. Instead, there are fifty-two chapter titles with contents that generally progress numerically as we would expect. Unlike AN, this version of the Numerical Discourses also contains material that was usually included in Vinaya texts, such as stories about the compilation of the early Buddhist canon, Gautama’s bodhisattva practice before his awakening, and the conversion of his early disciples.

Below is a table of contents with links to translated sūtras from the Numerical Discourses and their parallels. Note that this table of contents is a work in progress that will eventually be filled completely with information about the untranslated sūtras as well.

Please feel free to send any feedback or corrections.


Table of Contents

Division Chapter Sūtra Pali Parallel(s)
Front Matter A Reader’s Guide
Introduction Dao-an’s Preface
1. Introduction
The Ones 2. Ten Recollections 1. The Buddha AN 1.296
2. The Dharma AN 1.297
3. The Saṅgha AN 1.298
4. The Precepts AN 1.299
5. Generosity AN 1.300
6. The Gods AN 1.301
7. Peace AN 1.305
8. Breathing AN 1.302
9. The Body AN 1.304
10. Death AN 1.303
3. Broader Explanations 1. The Buddha
2. The Dharma
3. The Saṅgha
4. The Precepts
5. Generosity
6. The Gods
7. Peace
8. Breathing (MN 62)
9. The Body
10. Death
4. Disciples AN 1.188-234
5. Nuns AN 1.235-247
6. Laymen AN 1.248-257
7. Laywomen AN 1.258-267
8. Asura 1. Asura
2. Beneficial AN 1.170
3. The Single-Entry Path
4. The Light AN 1.176-177
5. The Darkness
6. The Factors of the Path
7. Disappearance AN 1.173
8. Belief
9. Flourishing
10. Unmatched AN 1.174
9. The Only Son 1. The Laywoman SN 17.23
2. The Laywoman (2) SN 17.24
3. The Mind
4. The Mind (2) SN 12.61
5. Downfall AN 1.43, Iti 20
6. Birth in Heaven AN 1.44, Iti 21
7. A Man’s Perception AN 1.1-5
8. A Woman’s Perception AN 1.6-10
9. Notions of Desire AN 1.11-15
10. Notions of Desire (2) AN 1.16-20
10. The Guarded Mind 1. No Pride Iti 23
2. No Pride (2)
3. Recollecting Generosity
4. Generosity
5. Generosity (2)
6. The Stingy and the Tireless Iti 26
7. Merits of Generosity Iti 22, AN 7.62
8. Māra the Wicked One
9. Bad Destinies
10. One Person
11. The Non-Returner 1. Non-Returning Iti 1
2. Non-Returning (2) Iti 2
3. Non-Returning (3) Iti 3
4. Non-Returning (4) Iti 4
5. Heart AN 21-30
6. Heart (2) AN 21-30
7. Alms SN 17.11-20
8. Alms (2) SN 17.11-20
9. Devadatta SN 17.31-36
10. Devadatta (2) SN 17.31-36
12. The Single-Entry Path 1. The Abodes of Mindfulness MN 10
2. Spitefulness
3. The Most Honored
4. Watching over the Sick
5. Praise and Slander (SN 16.5)
6. Senior Years SN 16.5
7. Devadatta
8. Devadatta (2)
9. Skin (SN 17.28)
10. Śrīla
13. Profit 1. Surādha
2. Enjoyment of Desires
3. Nāḷijaṅgha MN 87
4. Nakula SN 22.1
5. Sundarī (MN 7)
6. Good Deeds SN 11.16
7. Śakra the Lord of Gods
14. The Five Precepts 1. Killing Beings (AN 1.312-313)
2. Not Killing Beings
3. Stealing
4. Generosity
5. Wrong Sex
6. No Wrong Sex
7. False Speech
8. Not Speaking Falsely
9. Drinking Alcohol
10. Not Drinking Alcohol
The Twos 15. Existence and Inexistence 1. Two Kinds of Views
2. Two Kinds of Views (2)
3. Two Kinds of Gifts (AN 2.141-150)
4. Two Kinds of Work (AN 2.141-150)
5. Two Kinds of Favors (AN 2.141-150)
6. Two Signs of a Fool (AN 2.134-137)
7. Honoring the Tathāgata
8. Honoring the Dharma
9. Honoring the Tathāgata’s Shrine
10. Right View AN 2.126
16. The Fire Extinguished 1. Nanda
2. Nirvāṇa Iti 44
3. The Crow
4. The Donkey AN 3.82
5. Unskillful
6. Two Things
7. The Candle
8. Consideration and Acceptance (AN 2.11-13)
9. The Brahmin
10. Rāhula
17. Breathing 1. Rāhula MN 62
2. Two People AN 2.52-63
3. Two People (2) AN 2.52-63
4. Two Afflictions
5. Bitter Fruit AN 1.306-315
6. Sweet Fruit AN 1.306-315
7. Mūrdhaja
8. Jānussoṇī AN 5.31
9. Good and Bad Friendship MN 113
10. Cūlapanthaka
11. Devadatta AN 4.70
18. Conscience and Modesty 1. Conscience and Modesty AN 2.1-10
2. Two People AN 2.1-10
3. Dharma and Alms Giving MN 3
4. Kasyapa
5. Naga
6. Ananda SN 21.8
7. Ananda (2)
8. Path of Great Affection
9. Blameworthy AN 2.21-31
10. Commendable AN 2.130-140
19. The Request 1. Brahmā’s Request SN 6.1
2. Two Things SN 56.11
3. Ending Craving MN 37
4. The Lion AN 2.52-63
5. The Unwise
6. Little Wealth
7. The Poor Family
8. Susima
9. Kātyāyana AN 2.32-41
10. Dharma Teachers
11. A Woman
20. Good Friends 1. Good Friends
2. Devadatta
3. Dharmaruci
4. The Lion and the Sheep
5. Knowing Rebirth AN 2.32-41
6. The Indolent
7. The Forest Dweller AN 2.21-31
8. The Forest Dweller (2)
9. Two People
10. Two Things
11. Mother and Father AN 2.32-41, 7.63
12. Cūḷapanthaka
13. Two Things
The Threes 21. Three Treasures 1. The Best Virtue Iti 90; AN 4.34, 5.32
2. Fortunate Deeds
3. Three Causes MN 38
4. Three Women AN 3.75
5. Gopali AN 10.89, SN 6.9-10, Snp 3.10
6. Three Nights AN 3.16
7. Illness AN 3.68, 10.108
8. Bad Conduct
9. What’s Painful MN 13
10. Insecurity
22. Three Offerings 1. Offerings
2. Three Roots of Goodness
3. Three Feelings
4. Three Things Covered and Revealed AN 3.131
5. Signs AN 3.47
6. Principles AN 3.2-9
7. Three Things Unrealized
8. Affection and Respect AN 3.39
9. Spring Rains AN 3.129
10. Unsatisfied AN 3.108
23. Lord of the Earth 1. Lord of the Earth
2. Bakula
3. Śroṇakoṭīviṃśa AN 6.65
4. Seti SN 3.19
5. Disagreeable and Agreeable Odors AN 3.79
6. The Fool
7. Ajātaśatru AN 4.68, SN 17.35-6
8. Three Roots of Unskillfulness
9. Three Categories
10. Examining the Here and the Hereafter
24. Tall Flag 1. The Flag SN 11.3
2. Bisa
3. Dharma King
4. *The Fingernail SN 22.97
5. Miraculous Transformations MN 26
6. The Three Fasting Days AN 3.37-8
7. Directly Present AN 3.41
8. Long Life MN 31, 128
9. Bonds
10. Samādhi AN 3.183-352
The Fours 25. The Four Truths 1. The Truths SN 56.21
2. Benefits
3. Ānanda AN 4.128
4. The Heavy Burden SN 22.22
5. Four Kinds of Births
6. Bondage MN 5
7. Four Fruits AN 4.105
8. Following the High Winds SN 17.9
9. Four Kinds of Bird
10. Thunder AN 4.102
26. The Four Mental Abandonments 1. Mental Abandonment SN 3.17
2. Mental Abandonment (2) SN 3.17
3. Mental Abandonment (3) SN 3.17
4. Mental Abandonment (4) SN 3.17
5. Four in Darkness
6. Old Age and Death SN 3.3
7. Ayika SN 3.22
8. Principles of Beginning and End AN 4.185
9. Śāriputra SN 47.13
10. Vālkali SN 22.87
27. Inclining to the Four Truths 1. ? (MN 141)
2. ? MN 11
3. ? AN 9.20
4. ?
5. ?
6. Four Kinds of Fearlessness AN 4.8
7. ? AN 4.7
8. ?
9. ?
10. ?
28. Direct Disciple 1. Piṇḍola
2. Obscurations AN 4.50
3. Hastaka AN 3.35
4. Mṛgaśiras
5. Great Expositions AN 4.180
6. Later Happiness
7. Gentle AN 4.88
29. Pain and Pleasure 1. ?
2. ?
3. ? SN 12.11
4. ? SN 12.11
5. ?
6. ? AN 4.77
7. ? SN 51.1
8. ? AN 4.9
9. ?
10. ?
30. Suda 1. Suda
2. Sumana
3. Kunda
31. Progressive 1. Progressive Mental States MN 4
2. Sitting
3. Steps AN 4.162
4. Impermanence
5. Pleasure Park
6. ? SN 35.238
7. Uncontaminated
8. Meditation Without Breathing MN 12, 36
9. Four Kinds of Happiness SN 1.11
10. ?
11. No Conflict SN 16.6
The Fives 32. Good Things 1. ? AN 5.2
2. ? AN 5.52, SN 47.5
3. ?
4. ? AN 3.36, MN 130
5. ? SN 8.7
6. ?
7. ? AN 5.50
8. ? AN 5.123
9. ? AN 5.124
10. ? AN 5.34
11. ? AN 5.37
12. ? AN 5.36
33. The Five Kings 1. Kings SN 3.12
2. ?
3. ? AN 5.75
4. ? AN 5.76
5. ?
6. ?
7. ? AN 5.221
8. ? AN 5.223
9. ? AN 5.223
10. ? AN 7.72
34. Right View 1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ?
6. ? AN 5.48
7. ?
8. ? SN 11.4
9. ?
10. ?
35. Wrong Things 1. ?
2. ?
3. ? SN 37.27-28
4. ?
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ? SN 8.4
10. ?
36. Listening to Dharma 1. ? AN 5.202
2. ?
3. ? AN 5.208
4. ?
5. ? SN 40.10
The Sixes 37. Six Principles 1. ? AN 6.11-12
2. ?
3. ? MN 32
4. ? AN 6.37
5. ? AN 6.2
6. ? AN 9.11
7. ?
8. ? AN 6.52
9. ? AN 7.50
10. ? MN 35
38. Powers 1. ? AN 8.27
2. ?
3. ? AN 4.36
4. ? SN 12.65
5. ?
6. ? MN 86
7. ? MN 116
8. ? SN 35.247
9. ?
10. ? AN 10.30, MN 89
11. ?
12. ?
The Sevens 39. Correct Qualities 1. ? AN 7.68
2. ? AN 7.69
3. ? AN 7.15
4. ? AN 7.67
5. ? AN 7.44
6. ? SN 46.16
7. ? SN 46.42
8. ?
9. ? MN 23
10. ? MN 24
40. Seven Suns 1. ? AN 7.66
2. ? AN 7.22
3. ? N 7.11-12
4. ?
5. ?
6. ? AN 6.58, MN 2
7. ?
8. ? AN 6.19
9. ? MN 93
10. ? MN 18
41. Fear Not 1. ? SN 55.21, MN 14
2. ?
3. ?
4. ? SN 22.2
5. ? SN 16.5
The Eights 42. The Eight Difficulties 1. ? AN 8.29
2. ?
3. ?
4. ? AN 8.19
5. ? AN 8.70, SN 51.10
6. ? AN 8.30
7. ? AN 8.69
8. ? AN 2.35
9. ? AN 8.37
10. ?
43. The God *Rohitassa’s Question 1. ? AN 4.45-6, SN 2.26
2. ? AN 8.41, AN 9.18
3. ? SN 35.241
4. ? MN 29-30
5. The Parable of the Raft MN 22
6. ? MN 34
7. The Fruits of the Ascetics DN 2
8. ? AN 8.5
9. ?
10. ? AN 8.59-60
The Nines 44. Nine Abodes of Sentient Beings 1. ? AN 9.24
2. ?
3. ?
4. ?
5. ? AN 8.17
6. ? MN 1
7. ?
8. ? AN 9.10, AN 10.16
9. ?
10. ?
11. ?
45. King of Horses 1. ?
2. ? MN 67
3. ? MN 9.6, MN 17
4. ? SN 4.18
5. ? SN 11.22
6. ? MN 151
7. ?
The Tens 46. Binding Rules 1. ? AN 10.31
2. ? AN 10.20, SN 22.105
3. ? SN 12.21
4. Ten Powers AN 10.21
5. ?
6. ? AN 10.45
7. ?
8. ? AN 10.27
9. ? AN 10.56
10. ? AN 10.57
47. The Good and the Bad 1. ? AN 10.221
2. ?
3. ?
4. ? AN 10.69-70
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ?
9. ? MN 8
10. ?
48. The Ten Unskillful Deeds 1. ? AN 10.217-9
2. ? AN 8.20
3. ?
4. ? SN 12.65
5. ?
6. ?
The Elevens 49. The Cowherd 1. ? AN 11.17, MN 33
2. ?
3. ? SN 14.15
4. ?
5. ? SN 12.1-2
6. ? MN 92
7. ? MN 65-66
8. ? MN 39
9. ?
10. ? AN 11.15
50. Venerating the Three Treasures 1. ?
2. ?
3. ?
4. ? MN 83
5. ?
6. Knowledge of Rebirth MN 12
7. ? AN 3.48, AN 5.40
8. The Snake Parable MN 21, 22
9. ? AN 4.156
10. ?
Addendum 51. Impermanence 1. ? SN 15.3
2. ? SN 15.13
3. ?
4. ? MN 16
5. ?
6. ?
7. ?
8. ? MN 143
9. ? AN 7.63
10. ?
52. The Path of Love and Parinirvāṇa 1. ?
2. ?
3. ? SN 15.6
4. ? SN 15.5
5. ?
6. ? AN 7.57
7. ?
8. ?
9. ?