The Book of Fives

From Buddhist Encyclopedia

5. Book of the Fives [go up]

• AN 5.2: Vitthara Sutta — (Strengths) in Detail {A iii 1} [Thanissaro]. A summary of the five "strengths" (bala) to be developed in Dhamma practice.
• AN 5.20: Hita Sutta — Benefit {A iii 14} [Thanissaro]. How to practice Dhamma for the benefit of both oneself and others.
• AN 5.25: Anugghita Sutta — Supported {A iii 20} [Thanissaro]. Five factors that lead to the fulfillment of right view.
• AN 5.27: Samadhi Sutta — (Immeasurable) Concentration {A iii 24} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha encourages the practice of the brahmavihara (sublime states of metta, karuna, mudita, and upekkha) as a basis for concentration practice, as it leads to five important realizations.
• AN 5.28: Samadhanga Sutta — The Factors of Concentration {A iii 25} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha explains how the progressive development of jhana (absorption) leads to the development of the supranormal powers and Awakening.
• AN 5.30: Nagita Sutta — To Nagita {A iii 30} [Thanissaro]. The raucous carryings-on of a group of brahmans lead the Buddha to reflect on the rewards of detachment.
• AN 5.34: Siha Sutta — To General Siha (On Generosity) {A iii 38} [Thanissaro]. General Siha, known for his generosity, asks the Buddha about the fruits of generosity that one can experience in this life. The Buddha describes four such fruits; a fifth (a happy rebirth) Siha can only take on faith.
• AN 5.36: Kaladana Sutta — Seasonable Gifts {A iii 41} [Thanissaro]. Gifts given at the proper time bear the greatest fruit. Here the Buddha describes five such occasions. [Often chanted by monks as a blessing after receiving food or other offerings.]
• AN 5.37: Bhojana Sutta — A Meal {A iii 42} [Thanissaro]. Whenever one gives the gift of food, five wonderful things are also given, automatically, to both giver and recipient alike. [Often chanted by monks as a blessing after receiving food or other offerings.]
• AN 5.38: Saddha Sutta — Conviction {A iii 42} [Thanissaro]. The five rewards that a layperson can expect for having conviction (faith) in the Triple Gem.
• AN 5.41: Adiya Sutta — Benefits to be Obtained (from Wealth) {A iii 45} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha describes for the wealthy householder Anathapindika five skillful ways of using one's money that bring immense benefits to the giver — benefits that last long after all the wealth is gone. [Often chanted by monks as a blessing after receiving food or other offerings.]
• AN 5.43: Ittha Sutta — What is Welcome {A iii 47} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha explains to Anathapindika how true happiness can never be achieved merely by wishing for it.
• AN 5.49: Kosala Sutta — The Kosalan {A iii 57} [Hecker/Khema | Thanissaro]. When Queen Mallika dies, her husband, King Pasenadi, is overcome with grief. The Buddha advises the king on how to free himself of obsessive grieving.
• AN 5.51: Avarana Sutta — Obstacles {A iii 58} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha invokes a vivid simile to illustrate the hazards posed by the hindrances.
• AN 5.53: Anga Sutta — Factors (for Exertion) {A iii 63} [Thanissaro]. The five factors that sustain the proper level of exertion toward the goal.
• AN 5.57: Upajjhatthana Sutta — Subjects for Contemplation {A iii 71} SuttaReadings.net icon [Thanissaro]. The Buddha describes the "five facts that one should reflect on often, whether one is a woman or a man, lay or ordained."
• AN 5.64: Vuddhi Sutta — Growth {A iii 79} [Thanissaro]. What does it mean to grow in the Dhamma?
• AN 5.73: Dhamma-viharin Sutta — One Who Dwells in the Dhamma {A iii 85} [Thanissaro]. What does it mean to be truly committed to the Dhamma?
• AN 5.75: Yodhajiva Sutta — The Warrior (1) {A iii 89}
• AN 5.76: Yodhajiva Sutta — The Warrior (2) {A iii 93} [Thanissaro].

Two suttas on how a monk intent on reaching the goal must steadfastly guard his celibacy in the face of all temptation.

• AN 5.77: Anagata-bhayani Sutta — The Discourse on Future Dangers (1) {A iii 100}
• AN 5.78: Anagata-bhayani Sutta — The Discourse on Future Dangers (2) {A iii 103}
• AN 5.79: Anagata-bhayani Sutta — The Discourse on Future Dangers (3) {A iii 105}
• AN 5.80: Anagata-bhayani Sutta— The Discourse on Future Dangers (4) {A iii 108}

[Thanissaro]. The Buddha reminds the monks that the practice of Dhamma should not be put off for a later date, for there are no guarantees that the future will provide any opportunities for practice. (These suttas are among those selected by King Asoka (r. 270-232 BCE) to be studied and reflected upon frequently by all practicing Buddhists. See That the True Dhamma Might Last a Long Time: Readings Selected by King Asoka, by Thanissaro.)

• AN 5.96: Sutadhara Sutta — One Who Retains What He Has Heard {A iii 119}
• AN 5.97: Katha Sutta — Talk {A iii 119}
• AN 5.98: Arañña Sutta — Wilderness {A iii 120} [Thanissaro].

Three short suttas that describe five qualities a meditator should develop in order to reach the goal.

• AN 5.114: Andhakavinda Sutta — At Andhakavinda {A iii 138} [Thanissaro]. Five things that the Buddha exhorted his newly ordained monks to do. Laypeople should take heed, too!
• AN 5.121: Gilana Sutta — To a Sick Man {A iii 142} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha reminds a sick monk that by keeping five particular themes of meditation well established, even a sick person can realize Awakening.
• AN 5.129: Parikuppa Sutta — In Agony {A iii 146} [Thanissaro]. Five grave deeds that prevent one from realising any of the noble attainments in this lifetime.
• AN 5.130: Sampada Sutta — Being Consummate {A iii 147} [Thanissaro]. Which of life's many kinds of losses should we be truly concerned about? Which of life's many kinds of rewards should we truly aspire toward?
• AN 5.139: Akkhama Sutta — Not Resilient {A iii 157} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha uses powerful imagery from the battlefield to underscore the importance of developing mastery over the senses.
• AN 5.140: Sotar Sutta — The Listener {A iii 161} [Thanissaro]. Five qualities one should develop to gain mastery of the senses and become a truly worthy person.
• AN 5.148: Sappurisadana Sutta — A Person of Integrity's Gifts {A iii 172} SuttaReadings.net icon [Thanissaro]. Five attributes of gift-giving that distinguish a person of integrity.
• AN 5.159: Udayi Sutta — About Udayin {A iii 184} [Thanissaro]. The Buddha explains to Ven. Ananda the five prerequisites for teaching Dhamma to others.
• AN 5.161: Aghatavinaya Sutta — Subduing Hatred (1) {A iii 185} [Thanissaro | Ñanamoli]. Five skillful ways of dealing with people who annoy you.
• AN 5.162: Aghatavinaya Sutta — Subduing Hatred (2) {A iii 186} [Thanissaro]. Sariputta describes five skillful ways of dealing with feelings of hatred toward others.
• AN 5.165: Pañhapuccha Sutta — On Asking Questions {A iii 191} [Thanissaro]. Five possible motives behind asking a question.
• AN 5.175: Candala Sutta — The Outcaste {A iii 206} [Thanissaro]. This discourse lists — first in negative and then in positive form — the basic requirements for being a Buddhist lay follower in good standing.
• AN 5.176: Piti Sutta — Rapture {A iii 206} [Thanissaro]. Instructions to a generous lay person: Generosity is good, but there is still more to be done. An even greater happiness awaits if you practice meditation to attain an internal state of seclusion and rapture.
• AN 5.177: Vanijja Sutta — Business (Wrong Livelihood) {A iii 208} [Thanissaro]. Five kinds of wrong livelihood for lay followers.
• AN 5.179: Gihi Sutta — The Householder {A iii 211} [Thanissaro]. How to recognize a lay stream-winner.
• AN 5.180: Gavesin Sutta — About Gavesin {A iii 214} [Thanissaro]. How the pursuit of excellence — and a competitive spirit — led a layman and his friends to attain arahantship. This story made even the Buddha smile.
• AN 5.196: Supina Sutta — Dreams {A iii 240} [Thanissaro]. Five dreams that appeared to the Buddha before his Awakening, together with their interpretation.
• AN 5.198: Vaca Sutta — A Statement {A iii 243} [Thanissaro]. The secret to blameless speech.
• AN 5.200: Nissaraniya Sutta — Leading to Escape {A iii 245} Five qualities of mind that lead to true freedom.
• AN 5.202: Dhammassavana Sutta — Listening to the Dhamma {A iii 248} [Thanissaro]. The five rewards in listening to the Dhamma.
• Macchariya Suttas (AN 5.254-259) — Stinginess {A iii 272} [Thanissaro]. Generosity isn't just a nice idea: it is a requisite for progress along the Buddha's Path.