The Majjhima Nikāya, or "The Buddha's Middle-Length Instructions," is the central collection of canonical texts of Theravada Buddhism. This collection includes some of the oldest suttas considered the words of the Buddha Gotama - the founder of Buddhism who lived 2500 years ago. The 152 texts of the Majjhima Nikāya cover a wide range of themes - from ethical foundations to instructions on meditation and the revealing of liberating insight. The exposition unfolds in an engaging sequence of scenarios depicting the Buddha in lively conversation with people from different layers of Indian society - with kings and princes, priests and ascetics, simple villagers and erudite philosophers. These dialogues, full of drama, reasoned arguments, vivid allegories, and metaphors, showcase the Buddha in all the splendor of his magnificent wisdom, majestic exaltation, and compassionate humanity.
