此經為《經集》〈大品〉第十一經，是佛陀初轉法輪後第七日對仙人阿私陀之甥 Nālaka 所說，闡明沙門應有的修行之道，經前另附有講述阿私陀與 Nālaka 故事的引言偈頌。

The eleventh discourse of the Mahā Vagga of the Suttanipāta, taught seven days after the Buddha’s first sermon to Nālaka, nephew of the seer Asita, on the practice proper to a recluse, preceded by introductory verses recounting the story of Asita and Nālaka.