This web page presents some of the oldest recorded Buddhist discourses of the historical Buddha from the Sutta Pitaka. These discourses (suttas) are compiled in various collections such as the Digha Nikaya, Majjhima Nikaya, Samyutta Nikaya, Khuddaka Nikaya, and the Anguttara Nikaya. They are considered to be the earliest recorded words of the Buddha, the Buddhavacana. 
As you read these suttas, you will notice the Buddha’s direct and simple teachings without any reference to the esoteric or what constitutes as religious such as heavens, hells, miracles, etc that were written into many of the later suttas and sutras of the Mahayana and Vajrayana schools. These early texts show the teachings in practical ethical terms, as one would find in Greek and Roman philosophy. as instructions to a flourishing way of life and how to experience the highest happiness and well-being, in this case termed, nirvana (similar to the Greek term Eudaimonia).
For beginners who may have difficulty understanding or appreciating these suttas, in order to gain enough background knowledge about our philosophy of life and daily practices, we highly recommend regularly attending our Sunday morning Practice & Talks at 9 a.m. and importantly take our Buddhism 1.0 course that is offered throughout the year.
The Authenticity of the Early Buddhist Texts by Bhikkhus Sujato and Brahmali Bhikkhu
Gandhara Buddhist Manuscripts
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandh%C4%81ran_Buddhist_texts
Setting the Wheel in Motion Sutta aka First Sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn56/sn56.011.than.html
Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn35/sn35.028.than.html
Way of Mindfulness Sutta (Satipatthana Sutta)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/soma/wayof.html
Five Contemplations (Uppajjhatthana Sutta)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an05/an05.057.than.html
The Discourse on Blessings (Maha Mangala Sutta)
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/ethics_m.htm
The Discourse on Free Inquiry (Kalama Sutta)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/soma/wheel008.html#kal
The Discourse to Sigala (Sigalovada Sutta)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.31.0.nara.html
The Discourse of Love (Metta Sutta)
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/snp/snp.1.08.amar.html
Rhinoceros Sutta (Khaggavisana Sutta)
http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/ethics_m.htm
The Sayings of the Buddha (Dhammapada)
http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/scrndhamma.pdf