The main source of modern knowledge about the founder of Buddhism and his teachings is the Pali canon “Tripitaka” (“Three Baskets of Teaching”). The Suttapitaka (Basket of Speeches), which includes the Sutta Nipata, was expounded by the Buddha's closest disciple Ananda. The Canon was written down at the Rajagriha Council, convened after the death of the Buddha in order to avoid disagreements regarding the teachings. "Sutta-Nipata" is a pearl of Pali literature, which, along with the "Jataka" and "Dhammapada", conveys in poetic form the spirit of the teachings, episodes from the life of the Buddha and rules of moral life leading to Enlightenment.

Translation: N. Gerasimova, Fausbell