---
title: "Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta"
author: "The Buddha"
translator: "Bhikkhu Sujato"
languages: [pi, en]
shelf: "Pali Canon"
section: 17 of 32
url: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/17/
cite: "The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato, Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta, section 17. Scriptura (scriptura.si), https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/17/"
---

# Numbered Discourses: The Fours · Aṅguttara Nikāya · Catukkanipāta

*The Buddha, tr. Bhikkhu Sujato*

Teachings grouped in fours: four kinds of persons, four right efforts, four ways of practice.

> Pali: the Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka (Buddha Jayanti edition, 2500), from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0).

> English: Bhikkhu Sujato, from SuttaCentral’s bilara-data, dedicated to the public domain (CC0). Notes are not included.

> Rows follow the segment numbers the two texts share, gathered into paragraphs; verse keeps its lines.

## 17. Faculties · AN 4.151–4.160

Source: https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/17/ · cite a paragraph as https://scriptura.si/works/pali-anguttara-nikaya-4/17/#p-N

[¶0] AN 4.151 · Faculties

> Pali: AN 4.151 · Indriyasutta

[¶1] “Mendicants, there are these four faculties. What four? The faculties of faith, energy, mindfulness, and immersion. These are the four faculties.”

> Pali: “Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, indriyāni. Katamāni cattāri? Saddhindriyaṁ, vīriyindriyaṁ, satindriyaṁ, samādhindriyaṁ— Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri indriyānī”ti.

[¶2] > Pali: Paṭhamaṁ.

[¶3] AN 4.152 · The Power of Faith

> Pali: AN 4.152 · Saddhābalasutta

[¶4] “Mendicants, there are these four powers. What four? The powers of faith, energy, mindfulness, and immersion. These are the four powers.”

> Pali: “Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, balāni. Katamāni cattāri? Saddhābalaṁ, vīriyabalaṁ, satibalaṁ, samādhibalaṁ— Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri balānī”ti.

[¶5] > Pali: Dutiyaṁ.

[¶6] AN 4.153 · The Power of Wisdom

> Pali: AN 4.153 · Paññābalasutta

[¶7] “Mendicants, there are these four powers. What four? The powers of wisdom, energy, blamelessness, and inclusiveness. These are the four powers.”

> Pali: “Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, balāni. Katamāni cattāri? Paññābalaṁ, vīriyabalaṁ, anavajjabalaṁ, saṅgahabalaṁ— Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri balānī”ti.

[¶8] > Pali: Tatiyaṁ.

[¶9] AN 4.154 · The Power of Mindfulness

> Pali: AN 4.154 · Satibalasutta

[¶10] “Mendicants, there are these four powers. What four? The powers of mindfulness, immersion, blamelessness, and inclusiveness. These are the four powers.”

> Pali: “Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, balāni. Katamāni cattāri? Satibalaṁ, samādhibalaṁ, anavajjabalaṁ, saṅgahabalaṁ— Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri balānī”ti.

[¶11] > Pali: Catutthaṁ.

[¶12] AN 4.155 · The Power of Reflection

> Pali: AN 4.155 · Paṭisaṅkhānabalasutta

[¶13] “Mendicants, there are these four powers. What four? The powers of reflection, development, blamelessness, and inclusiveness. These are the four powers.”

> Pali: “Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, balāni. Katamāni cattāri? Paṭisaṅkhānabalaṁ, bhāvanābalaṁ, anavajjabalaṁ, saṅgahabalaṁ— Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri balānī”ti.

[¶14] > Pali: Pañcamaṁ.

[¶15] AN 4.156 · Eons

> Pali: AN 4.156 · Kappasutta

[¶16] “Mendicants, an eon contains four uncountable periods. What four?

> Pali: “Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, kappassa asaṅkhyeyyāni. Katamāni cattāri?

[¶17] When an eon contracts, it’s not easy to calculate how many years, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of years it takes.

> Pali: Yadā, bhikkhave, kappo saṁvaṭṭati, taṁ na sukaraṁ saṅkhātuṁ— ettakāni vassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatānīti vā, ettakāni vassasahassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatasahassānīti vā.

[¶18] When an eon remains fully contracted, it’s not easy to calculate how many years, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of years it takes.

> Pali: Yadā, bhikkhave, kappo saṁvaṭṭo tiṭṭhati, taṁ na sukaraṁ saṅkhātuṁ— ettakāni vassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatānīti vā, ettakāni vassasahassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatasahassānīti vā.

[¶19] When an eon expands, it’s not easy to calculate how many years, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of years it takes.

> Pali: Yadā, bhikkhave, kappo vivaṭṭati, taṁ na sukaraṁ saṅkhātuṁ— ettakāni vassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatānīti vā, ettakāni vassasahassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatasahassānīti vā.

[¶20] When an eon remains fully expanded, it’s not easy to calculate how many years, how many hundreds or thousands or hundreds of thousands of years it takes.

> Pali: Yadā, bhikkhave, kappo vivaṭṭo tiṭṭhati, taṁ na sukaraṁ saṅkhātuṁ— ettakāni vassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatānīti vā, ettakāni vassasahassānīti vā, ettakāni vassasatasahassānīti vā.

[¶21] These are the four uncountable periods of an eon.”

> Pali: Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri kappassa asaṅkhyeyyānī”ti.

[¶22] > Pali: Chaṭṭhaṁ.

[¶23] AN 4.157 · Illness

> Pali: AN 4.157 · Rogasutta

[¶24] “Mendicants, there are two kinds of illness. What two? Mental and physical. Some sentient beings are seen who can claim to be free of physical illness for a year, or two, or three years … even up to a hundred years or more. But it’s very hard to find any sentient beings in the world who can claim to be free of mental illness even for an hour, apart from those who have ended the defilements.

> Pali: “Dveme, bhikkhave, rogā. Katame dve? Kāyiko ca rogo cetasiko ca rogo. Dissanti, bhikkhave, sattā kāyikena rogena ekampi vassaṁ ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, dvepi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, tīṇipi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, cattāripi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, pañcapi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, dasapi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, vīsatipi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, tiṁsampi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, cattārīsampi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, paññāsampi vassāni ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā, vassasatampi, bhiyyopi ārogyaṁ paṭijānamānā. Te, bhikkhave, sattā sudullabhā lokasmiṁ ye cetasikena rogena muhuttampi ārogyaṁ paṭijānanti, aññatra khīṇāsavehi.

[¶25] There are four kinds of illness for those gone forth. What four?

> Pali: Cattārome, bhikkhave, pabbajitassa rogā. Katame cattāro?

[¶26] To start with, a mendicant has many wishes, is frustrated, and is not content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick.

> Pali: Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu mahiccho hoti vighātavā asantuṭṭho itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena.

[¶27] Because of this, they focus their corrupt wishes on status, and on getting material things, honor, and popularity.

> Pali: So mahiccho samāno vighātavā asantuṭṭho itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena pāpikaṁ icchaṁ paṇidahati anavaññappaṭilābhāya lābhasakkārasilokappaṭilābhāya.

[¶28] They try hard, strive, and make an effort to get these things.

> Pali: So uṭṭhahati ghaṭati vāyamati anavaññappaṭilābhāya lābhasakkārasilokappaṭilābhāya.

[¶29] They have an ulterior motive when they visit families. They have an ulterior motive when they sit down, when they speak on Dhamma, and even when they hold it in when they need to go to the toilet.

> Pali: So saṅkhāya kulāni upasaṅkamati, saṅkhāya nisīdati, saṅkhāya dhammaṁ bhāsati, saṅkhāya uccārapassāvaṁ sandhāreti.

[¶30] These are the four kinds of illness for those gone forth.

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro pabbajitassa rogā.

[¶31] So you should train like this: ‘We will not have many wishes or be frustrated. We will be content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. We won’t focus our corrupt wishes on status, and on getting material things, honor, and popularity. We won’t try hard, strive, and make an effort to get these things. We will endure cold, heat, hunger, and thirst. We will endure the touch of flies, mosquitoes, wind, sun, and reptiles. We will endure rude and unwelcome criticism. We will put up with physical pain—sharp, severe, acute, unpleasant, disagreeable, and life-threatening.’ That’s how you should train.”

> Pali: Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘na mahicchā bhavissāma vighātavanto asantuṭṭhā itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, na pāpikaṁ icchaṁ paṇidahissāma anavaññappaṭilābhāya lābhasakkārasilokappaṭilābhāya, na uṭṭhahissāma na ghaṭessāma na vāyamissāma anavaññappaṭilābhāya lābhasakkārasilokappaṭilābhāya, khamā bhavissāma sītassa uṇhassa jighacchāya pipāsāya ḍaṁsamakasavātātapasarīsapasamphassānaṁ duruttānaṁ durāgatānaṁ vacanapathānaṁ, uppannānaṁ sārīrikānaṁ vedanānaṁ dukkhānaṁ tibbānaṁ kharānaṁ kaṭukānaṁ asātānaṁ amanāpānaṁ pāṇaharānaṁ adhivāsakajātikā bhavissāmā’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

[¶32] > Pali: Sattamaṁ.

[¶33] AN 4.158 · Decline

> Pali: AN 4.158 · Parihānisutta

[¶34] There Sāriputta addressed the mendicants: “Reverends, mendicants!”

> Pali: Tatra kho āyasmā sāriputto bhikkhū āmantesi: “āvuso bhikkhave”ti.

[¶35] “Reverend,” they replied. Sāriputta said this:

> Pali: “Āvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato sāriputtassa paccassosuṁ. Āyasmā sāriputto etadavoca:

[¶36] “Reverends, any monk or nun who sees four things inside themselves should conclude: ‘My skillful qualities are declining. For this is what the Buddha calls decline.’ What four? They have much greed, much hate, and much delusion; and their wisdom eye doesn’t go into the many deep matters. Any monk or nun who sees these four things inside themselves should conclude: ‘My skillful qualities are declining. For this is what the Buddha calls decline.’

> Pali: “Yo hi koci, āvuso, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā cattāro dhamme attani samanupassati, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi’. Parihānametaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā. Katame cattāro? Rāgavepullattaṁ, dosavepullattaṁ, mohavepullattaṁ, gambhīresu kho panassa ṭhānāṭhānesu paññācakkhu na kamati. Yo hi koci, āvuso, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā ime cattāro dhamme attani samanupassati, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi’. Parihānametaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā.

[¶37] Any monk or nun who sees four things inside themselves should conclude: ‘My skillful qualities are not declining. For this is what the Buddha calls non-decline.’ What four? Their greed, hate, and delusion grow less; and their wisdom eye goes into the many deep matters. Any monk or nun who sees these four things inside themselves should conclude: ‘My skillful qualities are not declining. For this is what the Buddha calls non-decline.’”

> Pali: Yo hi koci, āvuso, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā cattāro dhamme attani samanupassati, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘na parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi’. Aparihānametaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā. Katame cattāro? Rāgatanuttaṁ, dosatanuttaṁ, mohatanuttaṁ, gambhīresu kho panassa ṭhānāṭhānesu paññācakkhu kamati. Yo hi koci, āvuso, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā ime cattāro dhamme attani samanupassati, niṭṭhamettha gantabbaṁ: ‘na parihāyāmi kusalehi dhammehi’. Aparihānametaṁ vuttaṁ bhagavatā”ti.

[¶38] > Pali: Aṭṭhamaṁ.

[¶39] AN 4.159 · Nun

> Pali: AN 4.159 · Bhikkhunīsutta

[¶40] So I have heard. At one time Venerable Ānanda was staying near Kosambī in Ghosita’s monastery.

> Pali: Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā ānando kosambiyaṁ viharati ghositārāme.

[¶41] And then a certain nun addressed a man, “Please, my friend, go to the venerable Ānanda, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Say to him: ‘Sir, the nun named so-and-so is sick, suffering, and gravely ill. She bows with her head to your feet.’ And then say: ‘Sir, please go to the nuns’ quarters to visit that nun out of sympathy.’”

> Pali: Atha kho aññatarā bhikkhunī aññataraṁ purisaṁ āmantesi: “ehi tvaṁ, ambho purisa, yenayyo ānando tenupasaṅkama; upasaṅkamitvā mama vacanena ayyassa ānandassa pāde sirasā vanda: ‘itthannāmā, bhante, bhikkhunī ābādhikinī dukkhitā bāḷhagilānā. Sā ayyassa ānandassa pāde sirasā vandatī’ti. Evañca vadehi: ‘sādhu kira, bhante, ayyo ānando yena bhikkhunupassayo yena sā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkamatu anukampaṁ upādāyā’”ti.

[¶42] “Yes, ma’am,” that man replied. He did as the nun asked. Ānanda consented with silence.

> Pali: “Evaṁ, ayye”ti kho so puriso tassā bhikkhuniyā paṭissutvā yenāyasmā ānando tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho so puriso āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca: “Itthannāmā, bhante, bhikkhunī ābādhikinī dukkhitā bāḷhagilānā. Sā āyasmato ānandassa pāde sirasā vandati, evañca vadeti: ‘sādhu kira, bhante, āyasmā ānando yena bhikkhunupassayo yena sā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkamatu anukampaṁ upādāyā’”ti. Adhivāsesi kho āyasmā ānando tuṇhībhāvena.

[¶43] Then Ānanda robed up and went to the nuns’ quarters to visit that nun, taking his bowl and robe. That nun saw Ānanda coming off in the distance. She wrapped herself up from head to foot and laid down on her cot. Then Venerable Ānanda went up to her, and sat down on the seat spread out. Then Ānanda said to the nun:

> Pali: Atha kho āyasmā ānando nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya yena bhikkhunupassayo yena sā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami. Addasā kho sā bhikkhunī āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ dūratova āgacchantaṁ. Disvā sasīsaṁ pārupitvā mañcake nipajji. Atha kho āyasmā ānando yena sā bhikkhunī tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā paññatte āsane nisīdi. Nisajja kho āyasmā ānando taṁ bhikkhuniṁ etadavoca:

[¶44] “Sister, this body is produced by food. Relying on food, you should give up food. This body is produced by craving. Relying on craving, you should give up craving. This body is produced by conceit. Relying on conceit, you should give up conceit. This body is produced by sex. The Buddha spoke of breaking off everything to do with sex.

> Pali: “Āhārasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo āhāraṁ nissāya. Āhāro pahātabbo. Taṇhāsambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo taṇhaṁ nissāya. Taṇhā pahātabbā. Mānasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo mānaṁ nissāya. Māno pahātabbo. Methunasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo. Methune ca setughāto vutto bhagavatā.

[¶45] ‘This body is produced by food. Relying on food, you should give up food.’ This is what I said, but why did I say it? Take a mendicant who reflects rationally on the food that they eat: ‘Not for fun, indulgence, adornment, or decoration, but only to sustain this body, to avoid harm, and to support spiritual practice. In this way, I shall put an end to old discomfort and not give rise to new discomfort, and I will have the means to keep going, blamelessness, and a comfortable abiding.’ After some time, relying on food, they give up food. That’s why I said what I said.

> Pali: ‘Āhārasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo āhāraṁ nissāya. Āhāro pahātabbo’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhagini, bhikkhu paṭisaṅkhā yoniso āhāraṁ āhāreti: ‘neva davāya na madāya na maṇḍanāya na vibhūsanāya, yāvadeva imassa kāyassa ṭhitiyā yāpanāya vihiṁsūparatiyā brahmacariyānuggahāya. Iti purāṇañca vedanaṁ paṭihaṅkhāmi, navañca vedanaṁ na uppādessāmi. Yātrā ca me bhavissati anavajjatā ca phāsuvihāro cā’ti. So aparena samayena āhāraṁ nissāya āhāraṁ pajahati. ‘Āhārasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo āhāraṁ nissāya āhāro pahātabbo’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

[¶46] ‘This body is produced by craving. Relying on craving, you should give up craving.’ This is what I said, but why did I say it? Take a mendicant who hears this: ‘They say that the mendicant named so-and-so has realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.’ They think: ‘Oh, when will I too realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom … in this very life …’ After some time, relying on craving, they give up craving. That’s why I said what I said.

> Pali: ‘Taṇhāsambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo taṇhaṁ nissāya. Taṇhā pahātabbā’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhagini, bhikkhu suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo kira bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī’ti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘kudāssu nāma ahampi āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissāmī’ti. So aparena samayena taṇhaṁ nissāya taṇhaṁ pajahati. ‘Taṇhāsambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo taṇhaṁ nissāya taṇhā pahātabbā’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

[¶47] ‘This body is produced by conceit. Relying on conceit, you should give up conceit.’ This is what I said, but why did I say it? Take a mendicant who hears this: ‘They say that the mendicant named so-and-so has realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom. And they live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements.’ They think: ‘Well, that venerable can realize the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom … in this very life … Why can’t I?’ After some time, relying on conceit, they give up conceit. That’s why I said what I said.

> Pali: ‘Mānasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo mānaṁ nissāya. Māno pahātabbo’ti, iti kho panetaṁ vuttaṁ. Kiñcetaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ? Idha, bhagini, bhikkhu suṇāti: ‘itthannāmo kira bhikkhu āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharatī’ti. Tassa evaṁ hoti: ‘so hi nāma āyasmā āsavānaṁ khayā anāsavaṁ cetovimuttiṁ paññāvimuttiṁ diṭṭheva dhamme sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja viharissati; kimaṅgaṁ panāhan’ti. So aparena samayena mānaṁ nissāya mānaṁ pajahati. ‘Mānasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo, mānaṁ nissāya māno pahātabbo’ti, iti yaṁ taṁ vuttaṁ idametaṁ paṭicca vuttaṁ.

[¶48] ‘This body is produced by sex. The Buddha spoke of breaking off everything to do with sex.’”

> Pali: Methunasambhūto ayaṁ, bhagini, kāyo. Methune ca setughāto vutto bhagavatā”ti.

[¶49] Then that nun rose from her cot, placed her robe over one shoulder, bowed with her head to Ānanda’s feet, and said, “I made a mistake, sir. It was foolish, stupid, and unskillful of me to act in that way. Please, sir, accept my mistake for what it is, so I can restrain myself in future.”

> Pali: Atha kho sā bhikkhunī mañcakā vuṭṭhahitvā ekaṁsaṁ uttarāsaṅgaṁ karitvā āyasmato ānandassa pādesu sirasā nipatitvā āyasmantaṁ ānandaṁ etadavoca: “accayo maṁ, bhante, accagamā, yathābālaṁ yathāmūḷhaṁ yathāakusalaṁ, yāhaṁ evamakāsiṁ. Tassā me, bhante, ayyo ānando accayaṁ accayato paṭiggaṇhātu, āyatiṁ saṁvarāyā”ti.

[¶50] “Indeed, sister, you made a mistake. It was foolish, stupid, and unskillful of you to act in that way. But since you have recognized your mistake for what it is, and have dealt with it properly, I accept it. For it is growth in the training of the Noble One to recognize a mistake for what it is, deal with it properly, and commit to restraint in the future.”

> Pali: “Taggha taṁ, bhagini, accayo accagamā, yathābālaṁ yathāmūḷhaṁ yathāakusalaṁ, yā tvaṁ evamakāsi. Yato ca kho tvaṁ, bhagini, accayaṁ accayato disvā yathādhammaṁ paṭikarosi, taṁ te mayaṁ paṭiggaṇhāma. Vuddhi hesā, bhagini, ariyassa vinaye yo accayaṁ accayato disvā yathādhammaṁ paṭikaroti āyatiṁ saṁvaraṁ āpajjatī”ti.

[¶51] > Pali: Navamaṁ.

[¶52] AN 4.160 · The Training of a Holy One

> Pali: AN 4.160 · Sugatavinayasutta

[¶53] “Mendicants, a Holy One or a Holy One’s training remain in the world for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.

> Pali: “Sugato vā, bhikkhave, loke tiṭṭhamāno sugatavinayo vā tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānaṁ.

[¶54] And who is a Holy One? It’s when a Realized One arises in the world, perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed. This is a Holy One.

> Pali: Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sugato? Idha, bhikkhave, tathāgato loke uppajjati arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sugato.

[¶55] And what is the training of a Holy One? He teaches Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And he reveals a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. This is the training of a Holy One. This is how a Holy One or a Holy One’s training remain in the world for the welfare and happiness of the people, out of sympathy for the world, for the benefit, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.

> Pali: Katamo ca, bhikkhave, sugatavinayo? So dhammaṁ deseti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāseti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, sugatavinayo. Evaṁ sugato vā, bhikkhave, loke tiṭṭhamāno sugatavinayo vā tadassa bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya atthāya hitāya sukhāya devamanussānanti.

[¶56] These four things lead to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching. What four?

> Pali: Cattārome, bhikkhave, dhammā saddhammassa sammosāya antaradhānāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro?

[¶57] Firstly, the mendicants memorize discourses that they learned incorrectly, with misplaced words and phrases. When the words and phrases are misplaced, the meaning is misinterpreted. This is the first thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.

> Pali: Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhū duggahitaṁ suttantaṁ pariyāpuṇanti dunnikkhittehi padabyañjanehi. Dunnikkhittassa, bhikkhave, padabyañjanassa atthopi dunnayo hoti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo dhammo saddhammassa sammosāya antaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶58] Furthermore, the mendicants are hard to admonish, having qualities that make them hard to admonish. They’re impatient, and don’t take instruction respectfully. This is the second thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū dubbacā honti dovacassakaraṇehi dhammehi samannāgatā akkhamā appadakkhiṇaggāhino anusāsaniṁ. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo dhammo saddhammassa sammosāya antaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶59] Furthermore, the mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—don’t carefully make others recite the discourses. When they pass away, the discourses are cut off at the root, with no one to preserve them. This is the third thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā, te na sakkaccaṁ suttantaṁ paraṁ vācenti. Tesaṁ accayena chinnamūlako suttanto hoti appaṭisaraṇo. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo dhammo saddhammassa sammosāya antaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶60] Furthermore, the senior mendicants are indulgent and slack, leaders in backsliding, neglecting seclusion, not rousing energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. Those who come after them follow their example. They too become indulgent and slack, leaders in backsliding, neglecting seclusion, not rousing energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. This is the fourth thing that leads to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, therā bhikkhū bāhulikā honti sāthalikā, okkamane pubbaṅgamā, paviveke nikkhittadhurā, na vīriyaṁ ārabhanti appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Tesaṁ pacchimā janatā diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjati. Sāpi hoti bāhulikā sāthalikā, okkamane pubbaṅgamā, paviveke nikkhittadhurā, na vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho dhammo saddhammassa sammosāya antaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶61] These are four things that lead to the decline and disappearance of the true teaching.

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro dhammā saddhammassa sammosāya antaradhānāya saṁvattantīti.

[¶62] These four things lead to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching. What four?

> Pali: Cattārome, bhikkhave, dhammā saddhammassa ṭhitiyā asammosāya anantaradhānāya saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro?

[¶63] Firstly, the mendicants memorize discourses that have been learned correctly, with well placed words and phrases. When the words and phrases are well placed, the meaning is interpreted correctly. This is the first thing that leads to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.

> Pali: Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhū suggahitaṁ suttantaṁ pariyāpuṇanti sunikkhittehi padabyañjanehi. Sunikkhittassa, bhikkhave, padabyañjanassa atthopi sunayo hoti. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamo dhammo saddhammassa ṭhitiyā asammosāya anantaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶64] Furthermore, the mendicants are easy to admonish, having qualities that make them easy to admonish. They’re patient, and take instruction respectfully. This is the second thing that leads to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhū suvacā honti sovacassakaraṇehi dhammehi samannāgatā khamā padakkhiṇaggāhino anusāsaniṁ. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyo dhammo saddhammassa ṭhitiyā asammosāya anantaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶65] Furthermore, the mendicants who are very learned—inheritors of the heritage, who have memorized the teachings, the monastic law, and the outlines—carefully make others recite the discourses. When they pass away, the discourses aren’t cut off at the root, and they have someone to preserve them. This is the third thing that leads to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ye te bhikkhū bahussutā āgatāgamā dhammadharā vinayadharā mātikādharā, te sakkaccaṁ suttantaṁ paraṁ vācenti. Tesaṁ accayena nacchinnamūlako suttanto hoti sappaṭisaraṇo. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyo dhammo saddhammassa ṭhitiyā asammosāya anantaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶66] Furthermore, the senior mendicants are not indulgent or slack, nor are they backsliders; instead, they take the lead in seclusion, rousing energy for attaining the unattained, achieving the unachieved, and realizing the unrealized. Those who come after them follow their example. They too aren’t indulgent or slack … This is the fourth thing that leads to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.

> Pali: Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, therā bhikkhū na bāhulikā honti na sāthalikā, okkamane nikkhittadhurā, paviveke pubbaṅgamā, vīriyaṁ ārabhanti appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Tesaṁ pacchimā janatā diṭṭhānugatiṁ āpajjati. Sāpi hoti na bāhulikā na sāthalikā, okkamane nikkhittadhurā, paviveke pubbaṅgamā, vīriyaṁ ārabhati appattassa pattiyā anadhigatassa adhigamāya asacchikatassa sacchikiriyāya. Ayaṁ, bhikkhave, catuttho dhammo saddhammassa ṭhitiyā asammosāya anantaradhānāya saṁvattati.

[¶67] These are four things that lead to the continuation, persistence, and enduring of the true teaching.”

> Pali: Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro dhammā saddhammassa ṭhitiyā asammosāya anantaradhānāya saṁvattantī”ti.

[¶68] > Pali: Dasamaṁ.

[¶69] > Pali: Indriyavaggo paṭhamo.

[¶70] > Pali: Tassuddānaṁ

[¶71] > Pali: Indriyāni saddhā paññā,
sati saṅkhānapañcamaṁ;
Kappo rogo parihāni,
bhikkhunī sugatena cāti.