A

B

C

D

E

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

R

S

T

U

V

Y

?

Poṭṭhapāda Sutta

The ninth discourse of the long discourses. A discussion between the Buddha and the wanderer Poṭṭhapāda, held at the Mallikārāma (D.i.178‑203). It deals with the question of trances and of the soul, and also whether the world is infinite or eternal.

This sutta is significant as containing a list of the thirty-two types of “animal talk” (tiracchāna kathā) that the wanderers appear to have discussed at their meetings.

1. Talk about kings (rājakathā)
2. Talk about robbers (corakathā)
3. Talk about ministers of state (mahāmattakathā)
4. Talk about armies (senākathā)
5. Talk about dangers (bhayakathā)
6. Talk about battles (yuddhakathā)
7. Talk about food (annakathā)
8. Talk about drinks (pānakathā)
9. Talk about clothing (vatthakathā)
10. Talk about dwellings (sayanakathā)
11. Talk about garlands (mālākathā)
12. Talk about perfumes (gandhakathā)
13. Talk about relations (ñātikathā)
14. Talk about vehicles (yānakathā)
15. Talk about villages (gāmakathā)
16. Talk about market towns (nigamakathā)
17. Talk about towns (nagarakathā)
18. Talk about districts (janapadakathā)
19. Talk about women (itthikathā)
20. Talk about heroes (sūrakathā)
21. Talk about streets (visikhākathā)
22. Talk about watering places (kumbhaṭṭhānakathā)
23. Talk about relatives who have passed away (pubbapetakathā)
24. Tittle-tattle (nānattakathā)
25. Talk about the origin of the world (lokakkhāyikakathā)
26. Talk about the origin of the ocean (samuddakkhāyikakathā)
27. Talk about annihilation belief — numbers 27 to 32 are collectively known as various topics about existence and non-existence (Itibhavābhavakathā)
28. Talk about eternity belief
29. Talk about worldly gain
30. Talk about worldly loss
31. Talk about self-indulgence
32. Talk about self-mortification.