Anumana Sutta

Preached by Mahāmoggallāna in the Bhesakalāvana at Sumsumāragiri in the Bhagga country. It deals with the admonishing of monks and with self-examination. It is of interest to note that there is no reference to the Buddha throughout the discourse (M.i.95-100).

Buddhaghosa says that this discourse was known to the Porānā as the Bhikkhupātimokkha, and adds that this self-examination should take place three times each day (MA.i.294). The description of the evil-minded monk given in the Sutta is often quoted (E.g., Sp. iii. 612).

Dictionary of Pali Proper Names, G P Malalasekera (1899-1973), which is available as printed version from