The Long Discourses – the Dīgha Nikāya translated by Bhikkhu Sujato

Dharma Audiobooks continues its recording of the Nikāyas, with what is regarded as the first in the central collection of suttas from the Pāli tradition. In spite of its name, the Dīgha Nikāya is actually the shortest of the four main Nikāyas, the ‘long’ referring to the length of the suttas themselves. Here are 34 suttas, some of which are among the most important and studied texts in Buddhism. These include The Longer Discourse on Mindfulness Meditation ( Mahāsatipatthāna Sutta) and The Great Discourse on the Buddha’s Extinguishment (Mahāparanibbāna Sutta). The translation of The Long Discourses is by the Australian-born monk Bhikkhu Sujato who has striven to present a modern, highly accessible version, dispensing often with standard Pāli terms to make the text more relevant to contemporary understanding. Nibbāna becomes ‘Extinguishment’, Tathāgata becomes ‘The Realized One’, Samādhi becomes ‘immersion’ and Jhana becomes ‘absorption.’ This bold and helpful enterprise, based not just on scholarly expertise but years of personal practice makes this new translation idea for audiobook.

It is read, as with The Middle Length Discourses and The Connected Discourses, by Taradasa in his customary engaged manner.

PDF to accompany The Long Discourses of the Buddha – click to download.