This week we learn about the value of meritorious deeds. We first read two short suttas from the Itivuttaka and the Anguttara Nikaya. In them, the Buddha shares memories of past lives and explains that being generous, practicing meditation, and behaving ethically, lead to positive experiences in the future.

Today we turn to the question what enlightenment at all is. We hear a lovely story about the five children that all get a wish. Then we read from two suttas which quote and explain the Noble Eightfold Path, guiding us to contentment. Full contentment means freedom from desires.

This week we skip the Jhana-section of last week’s sutta and move on to its final curious question about what should come first, serenity or insight. We find the answer in another teaching called Yuganaddhasutta.