References – Snp 3: The Great Chapter 
Sutta / Sutta Nipāta / Snp 3: Mahāvagga (6)
Sutta Nipāta 3.1: The Going Forth 

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The story of the Bodhisattva seeing the old person, the sick person, and the dead person isn’t in the scriptures. Teaching by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha/Biography ] [Tipiṭaka] [Stories] // [Jātaka Tales] [Postulants]

Sutta: DN 14.2 ascribes this story to the previous Buddha Vipassī. [Previous Buddhas]

Sutta: Snp 3.1 describes the Bodhisattva’s going forth.

Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 1, Excerpt 10


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The time of the Buddha was a time of great change. Teaching by Ajahn Pasanno. [Buddha/Biography] [History/Early Buddhism] // [Saṅgha decision making] [Spiritual traditions] [Views]

Sutta: DN 1: Brahmajāla Sutta.

Sutta: Snp 3.1: King Bimbisāra meets the Bodhisattva.

Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 1, Excerpt 11


Sutta Nipāta 3.6: Sabhiya’s Questions 

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Readings by Ajahn Pasanno:

The Island by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro, Chapter 14, pp. 258-265:

Suttas: SN 35.82; SN 35.116; MN 8.3; SN 4.16; SN 35.90; SN 35.248; Snp 954; MN 72.15; SN 12.51; MN 138.3; Snp 839; Snp 794-5; Snp 812-13; Snp 537; Dhp 421; Dhp 348.

A Still Forest Pool by Ajahn Chah (commercial) p. 73.

SN 35.248: Yavakalāpī.

Readings from The Island [2025], Session 35


Sutta Nipāta 3.11: The Sages Asita and Nālaka 

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“Are devas imagery or symbolism, or are they tangible for some people? Particularly the talk around the heavenly minstrels and nagas in the water (Snp 3.11) ....” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Deva ] [Symbolism/metaphor] [Realms of existence] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Recollection/Devas] [Virtue] [Kamma]

Devotion and Ritual: Becoming the Buddha [2017], Session 1, Excerpt 14


Sutta Nipāta 3.12: Contemplating Pairs 

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Readings from The Island by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro, Chapter 8, pp. 151-154. Read by Ajahn Amaro:

Suttas: MN 22.36; SN 12.64; Snp 752-3; MN 62.17; SN 4.19.

Readings from The Island [2025], Session 44


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Reflections by Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Pasanno about the Dhamma and Vinaya aspects of dependence. [Dhamma] [Vinaya] [Dependence] // [Middle Path] [Four Noble Truths]

Sutta: Snp 752-753: “There is danger in dependence.” [Clinging]

Quote: “The Dhamma is all about letting go, and the Vinaya is all about holding on. When you figure out how these work together, you’ll be fine.” — Ajahn Chah. Quoted by Ajahn Amaro. [Ajahn Chah] [Ajahn Sumedho] [Relinquishment]

Readings from The Island [2025], Session 44, Excerpt 3