One of the six suttas taught at the Mahāsamaya held in the Mahāvana near Kapilavatthu. It deals with the origin of contentions and disputes. Disputes arise about objects which one holds dear; such affection is the result of desire, etc. It forms the eleventh sutta of the Aṭṭhakavagga of the Suttanipāta. (Sn.vv.862 ff; SnA.361, 551 ff).

It is said that the discourse was specially meant for those in the Assembly, whose temperament was malicious (dosacaritānaṃ) (MNidA.222).

We are told that Mahāpajāpatī heard the sutta and renounced the world. ThigA.3, 141.

Probably the Attadaṇḍa Sutta was also called by this name. See AA.i.186, where the story of the 500 Sakyan youths is given. In other accounts the Sutta which led to their joining the Order is called Attadaṇḍa.

See Rohiṇī. (3).