While the SBS Pāli Study Tools page provides extensive resources for learning Pāli, it is highly recommended to establish a strong foundation in the Dhamma and Vinaya first in English or/and their native language. Building a comprehensive understanding of the teachings in a familiar language ensures that subsequent Pāli studies are grounded in practical comprehension. Only after completing this foundational study is it recommended to begin formal Pāli language study.
- The Suttas: Reading the major Sutta collections is essential. The translations by Bhikkhu Bodhi are generally recommended as a standard starting point. However, alternative translations, such as those freely available on SuttaCentral or by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro, are also excellent resources.
- The Vinaya: For an introduction to monastic discipline, reading at least the first volume of the Buddhist Monastic Code (BMC) by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro is highly advised.
The Buddha’s teachings are fundamentally practical advice meant to be applied. Regardless of the study method chosen, the goal should be to integrate the knowledge gained directly into daily life and meditation practice. Here are three effective approaches to begin studying the Suttas:
For beginners, compiled collections offer a structured introduction to the core teachings without the overwhelming volume of the complete Nikāyas.
- “In the Buddha's Words: An Anthology of Discourses from the Pāli Canon” compiled by Bhikkhu Bodhi.
- “The wings to Awakening An Anthology from the Pāli Canon” compiled by Ajahn Ṭhānissaro.
This method involves selecting a specific topic of personal interest—such as Kamma (action), Sīla (virtue), or Mettā (loving-kindness) — and reading all related suttas.
- SuttaCentral provides indexes and lists organized by subject matter to facilitate this type of targeted study.
- A more comprehensive index can be found here
For those who prefer to read an entire collection from beginning to end, the Aṅguttara Nikāya (Numbered Discourses) is an ideal starting point. The suttas in this collection are generally short, accessible, and heavily focused on practical application for both monastics and laypeople. Then one may read the Majjhimā Nikāya (Middle-length Discourses), Saṃyutta Nikāya (Connected Discourses), and Dīgha Nikāya (Long Discourses), as well as the early part of the Khuddaka Nikāya (e.g. Dhammapada verses, Udāna verses, Itivuttaka, Sutta Nipāta, and the Theragāthā and Therigāthā).
It is advisable to finish reading all early suttas before taking up Pāli studies.
For readers transitioning to Pāli study, there’s an excellent online tool available, that displays Bhikkhu Bodhi’s English translations side-by-side with the original Pāli text. By simply clicking on a Pāli term, students can instantly access its dictionary definitions, making it a convenient resource for Pāli learners.