Powers of a Trainee · AN 5.1–5.10

AN 5.1 · In Brief

AN 5.1 · Saṅkhittasutta

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants, “Mendicants!”

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

“Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Mendicants, there are these five powers of a trainee. What five? The powers of faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom. These are the five powers of a trainee.

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, sekhabalāni. Katamāni pañca? Saddhābalaṁ, hirībalaṁ, ottappabalaṁ, vīriyabalaṁ, paññābalaṁ— imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca sekhabalāni.

So you should train like this: ‘We will have the trainee’s powers of faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom.’ That’s how you should train.”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘saddhābalena samannāgatā bhavissāma sekhabalena, hirībalena samannāgatā bhavissāma sekhabalena, ottappabalena samannāgatā bhavissāma sekhabalena, vīriyabalena samannāgatā bhavissāma sekhabalena, paññābalena samannāgatā bhavissāma sekhabalenā’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

That is what the Buddha said. Satisfied, the mendicants approved what the Buddha said.

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

AN 5.2 · In Detail

AN 5.2 · Vitthatasutta

“Mendicants, there are these five powers of a trainee. What five? The powers of faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom.

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, sekhabalāni. Katamāni pañca? Saddhābalaṁ, hirībalaṁ, ottappabalaṁ, vīriyabalaṁ, paññābalaṁ.

And what is the power of faith? It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening: ‘That Blessed One is 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 called the power of faith.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, saddhābalaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako saddho hoti, saddahati tathāgatassa bodhiṁ: ‘itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho vijjācaraṇasampanno sugato lokavidū anuttaro purisadammasārathi satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, saddhābalaṁ.

And what is the power of conscience? It’s when a noble disciple has a conscience. They’re conscientious about bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and conscientious about having any bad, unskillful qualities. This is called the power of conscience.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, hirībalaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako hirīmā hoti, hirīyati kāyaduccaritena vacīduccaritena manoduccaritena, hirīyati pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, hirībalaṁ.

And what is the power of prudence? It’s when a noble disciple is prudent. They’re prudent when it comes to bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and prudent when it comes to acquiring any bad, unskillful qualities. This is called the power of prudence.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, ottappabalaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako ottappī hoti, ottappati kāyaduccaritena vacīduccaritena manoduccaritena, ottappati pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ samāpattiyā. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ottappabalaṁ.

And what is the power of energy? It’s when a noble disciple lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They’re strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. This is called the power of energy.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, vīriyabalaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako āraddhavīriyo viharati akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ upasampadāya, thāmavā daḷhaparakkamo anikkhittadhuro kusalesu dhammesu. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, vīriyabalaṁ.

And what is the power of wisdom? It’s when a noble disciple is wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering. This is called the power of wisdom. These are the five powers of a trainee.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, paññābalaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako paññavā hoti udayatthagāminiyā paññāya samannāgato ariyāya nibbedhikāya sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, paññābalaṁ. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca sekhabalāni.

So you should train like this: ‘We will have the trainee’s powers of faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom.’ That’s how you should train.”

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘saddhābalena samannāgatā bhavissāma sekhabalena, hirībalena … ottappabalena … vīriyabalena … paññābalena samannāgatā bhavissāma sekhabalenā’ti. Evañhi kho, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

AN 5.3 · Suffering

AN 5.3 · Dukkhasutta

“Mendicants, when a mendicant has five qualities they live unhappily in this very life—with distress, anguish, and fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a bad rebirth. What five? It’s when a mendicant is faithless, shameless, imprudent, lazy, and witless. When a mendicant possesses these five qualities they live unhappily in this very life—with distress, anguish, and fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a bad rebirth.

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā. Katamehi pañcahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu assaddho hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti, kusīto hoti, duppañño hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā.

When a mendicant has five qualities they live happily in this very life—without distress, anguish, or fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a good rebirth. What five? It’s when a mendicant is faithful, conscientious, prudent, energetic, and wise. When a mendicant possesses these five qualities they live happily in this very life—without distress, anguish, or fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a good rebirth.”

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā. Katamehi pañcahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.

AN 5.4 · Cast Down

AN 5.4 · Yathābhatasutta

“Mendicants, a mendicant with five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What five? It’s when a mendicant is faithless, shameless, imprudent, lazy, and witless. A mendicant with these five qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye. Katamehi pañcahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu assaddho hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti, kusīto hoti, duppañño hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye.

A mendicant with five qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there. What five? It’s when a mendicant is faithful, conscientious, prudent, energetic, and wise. A mendicant with these five qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.”

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge. Katamehi pañcahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge”ti.

AN 5.5 · Disrobing

AN 5.5 · Sikkhāsutta

“Mendicants, any monk or nun who resigns the training and returns to a lesser life deserves rebuttal and criticism on five legitimate grounds in this very life. What five? ‘You had no faith, conscience, prudence, energy, or wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ Any monk or nun who resigns the training and returns to a lesser life deserves rebuttal and criticism on these five legitimate grounds in this very life.

“Yo hi koci, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattati, tassa diṭṭheva dhamme pañca sahadhammikā vādānupātā gārayhā ṭhānā āgacchanti. Katame pañca? Saddhāpi nāma te nāhosi kusalesu dhammesu, hirīpi nāma te nāhosi kusalesu dhammesu, ottappampi nāma te nāhosi kusalesu dhammesu, vīriyampi nāma te nāhosi kusalesu dhammesu, paññāpi nāma te nāhosi kusalesu dhammesu. Yo hi koci, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā sikkhaṁ paccakkhāya hīnāyāvattati, tassa diṭṭheva dhamme ime pañca sahadhammikā vādānupātā gārayhā ṭhānā āgacchanti.

Any monk or nun who lives the full and pure spiritual life in pain and sadness, weeping, with tearful face, deserves praise on five legitimate grounds in this very life. What five? ‘You had faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ Any monk or nun who lives the full and pure spiritual life in pain and sadness, weeping, with tearful face, deserves praise on these five legitimate grounds in this very life.”

Yo hi koci, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā sahāpi dukkhena sahāpi domanassena assumukho rudamāno paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, tassa diṭṭheva dhamme pañca sahadhammikā pāsaṁsā ṭhānā āgacchanti. Katame pañca? Saddhāpi nāma te ahosi kusalesu dhammesu, hirīpi nāma te ahosi kusalesu dhammesu, ottappampi nāma te ahosi kusalesu dhammesu, vīriyampi nāma te ahosi kusalesu dhammesu, paññāpi nāma te ahosi kusalesu dhammesu. Yo hi koci, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vā bhikkhunī vā sahāpi dukkhena sahāpi domanassena assumukho rudamāno paripuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ carati, tassa diṭṭheva dhamme ime pañca sahadhammikā pāsaṁsā ṭhānā āgacchantī”ti.

AN 5.7 · Sensual Pleasures

AN 5.7 · Kāmasutta

“Mendicants, sentient beings are mostly charmed by sensual pleasures. When a gentleman has abandoned the scythe and flail and gone forth from the lay life to homelessness, they’re qualified to be called ‘a faithful renunciate from a good family’. Why is that? Because a youth can get sensual pleasures of this kind or that. Now, all sensual pleasures are just reckoned as ‘sensual pleasures’, regardless of whether they’re inferior, average, or superior.

“Yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, sattā kāmesu laḷitā. Asitabyābhaṅgiṁ, bhikkhave, kulaputto ohāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, ‘saddhāpabbajito kulaputto’ti alaṁvacanāya. Taṁ kissa hetu? Labbhā, bhikkhave, yobbanena kāmā te ca kho yādisā vā tādisā vā. Ye ca, bhikkhave, hīnā kāmā ye ca majjhimā kāmā ye ca paṇītā kāmā, sabbe kāmā ‘kāmā’tveva saṅkhaṁ gacchanti.

Suppose there was a little baby boy who, because of his nursemaid’s negligence, puts a stick or stone in his mouth. The nursemaid would very quickly notice and try to take it out. If that didn’t work, she’d cradle his head with her left hand, and take it out using a hooked finger of her right hand, even if it drew blood. Why is that? I admit she’d know, ‘This will distress the child, there’s no denying.’ Still, it should be done by a nursemaid who wants what’s best for him, out of kindness and sympathy. And when the boy has grown up and has enough sense, his nursemaid would not be concerned about him, thinking: ‘The boy can look after himself. He won’t be negligent.’

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, daharo kumāro mando uttānaseyyako dhātiyā pamādamanvāya kaṭṭhaṁ vā kaṭhalaṁ vā mukhe āhareyya. Tamenaṁ dhāti sīghaṁ sīghaṁ manasi kareyya; sīghaṁ sīghaṁ manasi karitvā sīghaṁ sīghaṁ āhareyya. No ce sakkuṇeyya sīghaṁ sīghaṁ āharituṁ, vāmena hatthena sīsaṁ pariggahetvā dakkhiṇena hatthena vaṅkaṅguliṁ karitvā salohitampi āhareyya. Taṁ kissa hetu? ‘Atthesā, bhikkhave, kumārassa vihesā; nesā natthī’ti vadāmi. Karaṇīyañca kho etaṁ, bhikkhave, dhātiyā atthakāmāya hitesiniyā anukampikāya, anukampaṁ upādāya. Yato ca kho, bhikkhave, so kumāro vuddho hoti alaṁpañño, anapekkhā dāni, bhikkhave, dhāti tasmiṁ kumāre hoti: ‘attagutto dāni kumāro nālaṁ pamādāyā’ti.

In the same way, I still need to look after a mendicant who hasn’t finished developing faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities. But when a mendicant has finished developing faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities, I need not be concerned, thinking: ‘They can look after themselves. They won’t be negligent.’”

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, yāvakīvañca bhikkhuno saddhāya akataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, hiriyā akataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, ottappena akataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, vīriyena akataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, paññāya akataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, anurakkhitabbo tāva me so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu hoti. Yato ca kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno saddhāya kataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, hiriyā kataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, ottappena kataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, vīriyena kataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, paññāya kataṁ hoti kusalesu dhammesu, anapekkho dānāhaṁ, bhikkhave, tasmiṁ bhikkhusmiṁ homi: ‘attagutto dāni bhikkhu nālaṁ pamādāyā’”ti.

AN 5.8 · Failure

AN 5.8 · Cavanasutta

“Mendicants, a mendicant with five qualities fails, and doesn’t establish themselves in the true teaching. What five? A mendicant who is faithless … shameless … imprudent … lazy … witless fails, and doesn’t establish themselves in the true teaching. A mendicant with these five qualities fails, and doesn’t establish themselves in the true teaching.

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Katamehi pañcahi? Assaddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Ahiriko, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Anottappī, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Kusīto, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Duppañño, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme.

A mendicant with five qualities doesn’t fail, and establishes themselves in the true teaching. What five? A mendicant who is faithful … conscientious … prudent … energetic … wise doesn’t fail, and establishes themselves in the true teaching. A mendicant with these five qualities doesn’t fail, and establishes themselves in the true teaching.”

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Katamehi pañcahi? Saddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Hirīmā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Ottappī, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Āraddhavīriyo, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Paññavā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme”ti.

AN 5.9 · Disrespect (1st)

AN 5.9 · Paṭhamaagāravasutta

“Mendicants, a disrespectful and irreverent mendicant with five qualities fails, and doesn’t establish themselves in the true teaching. What five? A disrespectful and irreverent mendicant who is faithless … shameless … imprudent … lazy … witless fails, and doesn’t establish themselves in the true teaching. A disrespectful and irreverent mendicant with these five qualities fails, and doesn’t establish themselves in the true teaching.

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu agāravo appatisso cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Katamehi pañcahi? Assaddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Ahiriko, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Anottappī, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Kusīto, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Duppañño, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu agāravo appatisso cavati, nappatiṭṭhāti saddhamme.

A respectful and reverent mendicant with five qualities doesn’t fail, and establishes themselves in the true teaching. What five? A respectful and reverent mendicant who is faithful … conscientious … prudent … energetic … wise doesn’t fail, and establishes themselves in the true teaching. A respectful and reverent mendicant with these five qualities doesn’t fail, and establishes themselves in the true teaching.”

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Katamehi pañcahi? Saddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Hirīmā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Ottappī, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Āraddhavīriyo, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Paññavā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso na cavati, patiṭṭhāti saddhamme”ti.

AN 5.10 · Disrespect (2nd)

AN 5.10 · Dutiyaagāravasutta

“Mendicants, a disrespectful and irreverent mendicant with five qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training. What five? A disrespectful and irreverent mendicant who is faithless … shameless … imprudent … lazy … witless can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training. A disrespectful and irreverent mendicant with these five qualities can’t achieve growth, improvement, or maturity in this teaching and training.

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu agāravo appatisso abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Katamehi pañcahi? Assaddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Ahiriko, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Anottappī, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Kusīto, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Duppañño, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu agāravo appatisso abhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ.

A respectful and reverent mendicant with five qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training. What five? A respectful and reverent mendicant who is faithful … conscientious … prudent … energetic … wise can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training. A respectful and reverent mendicant with these five qualities can achieve growth, improvement, and maturity in this teaching and training.”

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Katamehi pañcahi? Saddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Hirīmā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu …pe… ottappī, bhikkhave, bhikkhu …pe… āraddhavīriyo, bhikkhave, bhikkhu …pe… paññavā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjituṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso bhabbo imasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjitun”ti.