The Madhyama Agama

The Madhyama gama (Taish 26), or Collection of Middle-length Discourses, belongs to the earliest stratum of Buddhist sutra literature. The dialogues between kyamuni 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 gama was translated into Chinese from a now lost Indian original in 398 C.E. It corresponds mainly to the Majjhima Nikya of the Pli canon, although many of its sutras have parallels in other sections of the Pli canon. Volume I, comprising divisions 16 and discourses 171, was published in 2013 . Volume II includes divisions 7-11 and discourses 72-131. The translation of the remaining divisions and discourses will be published in two subsequent volumes.