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Mahānidāna Sutta

The fifteenth Sutta of the Dīghanikāya, taught to Ānanda at Kammāsadamma in the Kuru country. Ānanda says that the doctrine of events as arising from causes is quite clear to him; that it only appears deep. “Say not so,” warns the Buddha, and proceeds to give a detailed exposition of the Doctrine of Dependent Origination (paṭiccasamuppāda), explaining how each link in the chain of saṃsāra is both the effect of one factor and the cause of another. The Sutta also discusses the idea of “soul,” the seven resting places of cognition (viññāṇaṭṭhiti), the two spheres (āyatana), and the eight kinds of deliverance (vimokkha). D.ii.55‑71; Thomas: op.cit.,197.

Khemā had heard the Mahānidāna Sutta in the time of Kassapa Buddha (Ap.ii.546, vs.34). On hearing it again, taught by Gotama, she revived her memory and became an Arahant. Apii.549, vs.72.