The fifth and last division of the Sutta Nipáta (SN.vs.976ff). It consists of sixteen suttas preceded by an introduction of fifty six Vatthugáthá. The Vatthugáthá describe how Bávarí first heard of the coming of the Buddha from a devotee and sent sixteen of his pupils to visit the Buddha and find out if his claims to Enlightenment were true. A description of the route taken by them is also given. The sixteen suttas give the questions asked by Bávarí's disciples and the answers given by the Buddha. The Culla Nidesa comments on the sixteen suttas, but makes no mention of the Vatthugáthá. Perhaps, at one time, the Khaggavisána Sutta was attached to the Páráyana Vagga.
The Páráyana Vagga is mentioned in the Anguttara Nikáya (A.i.133, 134; ii.45; iv.63) and in the Samyutta Nikáya (S.ii.49), which is evidence of its having been one of the oldest collections. The Páráyanaka Samiti is among the incidents represented in the Mahá Thúpa (Mhv.xxx.84). It is said (E.g., AA.i.57) that at the end of the discourses contained in the Páráyana Vagga, fourteen crores of beings realized nibbána.
Buddhaghosa says (AA.ii.717) that the Páráyana was so called because it leads to nibbána (nibbánasahkhátam páram ayanato Páráyaná ti laddhavoháram dhammam).
The Buddha teaches the goal (páráyana) and the path leading thereto. S.iv.373.