The Madhyama Agama: Middle-length Discourses: 1 (BDK English Tripitaka)

The Madhyama Agama (Taisho 26), or Middle-length Discourses, belong to the earliest stratum of Buddhist sutra literature. The dialogues between Sakyamuni Buddha and his disciples and followers present the teachings of early Buddhism on Karma, death and rebirth, and the training of the mind in order to reach nirvana. The speakers often make use of parables and tales to illustrate the correct understanding of early doctrine. The Madhyama Agama was translated into Chinese from a now lost Indian original in 398 C.E. It corresponds mainly to the Majjhima Nikaya of the Pali canon, although many of its sutras have parallels in other sections of the Pali canon. Volume I contains the translation of divisions 1-6 (of 18) and sutras 1-71 (of 222). Translations of the remaining divisions and sutras will be published in two subsequent volumes.