Perfection · AN 6.75–6.84

AN 6.75 · Suffering

AN 6.75 · Dukkhasutta

“Mendicants, when a mendicant has six 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 six? Sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts; and sensual, malicious, and cruel perceptions. When a mendicant possesses these six 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.

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā. Katamehi chahi? Kāmavitakkena, byāpādavitakkena, vihiṁsāvitakkena, kāmasaññāya, byāpādasaññāya, vihiṁsāsaññāya— imehi, kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā.

When a mendicant has six 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 six? Thoughts of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness. And perceptions of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness. When a mendicant possesses these six 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.”

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā. Katamehi chahi? Nekkhammavitakkena, abyāpādavitakkena, avihiṁsāvitakkena, nekkhammasaññāya, abyāpādasaññāya, avihiṁsāsaññāya— imehi, kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.

AN 6.76 · Perfection

AN 6.76 · Arahattasutta

“Mendicants, without giving up six things you can’t realize perfection. What six? Conceit, inferiority complex, superiority complex, overestimation, obstinacy, and groveling. Without giving up these six qualities you can’t realize perfection.

“Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katame cha? Mānaṁ, omānaṁ, atimānaṁ, adhimānaṁ, thambhaṁ, atinipātaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme appahāya abhabbo arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

After giving up six things you can realize perfection. What six? Conceit, inferiority complex, superiority complex, overestimation, obstinacy, and groveling. After giving up these six things you can realize perfection.”

Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme pahāya bhabbo arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katame cha? Mānaṁ, omānaṁ, atimānaṁ, adhimānaṁ, thambhaṁ, atinipātaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme pahāya bhabbo arahattaṁ sacchikātun”ti.

AN 6.77 · Superhuman States

AN 6.77 · Uttarimanussadhammasutta

“Mendicants, without giving up six qualities you can’t realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. What six? Lack of mindfulness and situational awareness, not guarding the sense doors, eating too much, fawning, and flattery. Without giving up these six qualities you can’t realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.

“Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo uttari manussadhammaṁ alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katame cha? Muṭṭhassaccaṁ, asampajaññaṁ, indriyesu aguttadvārataṁ, bhojane amattaññutaṁ, kuhanaṁ, lapanaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme appahāya abhabbo uttari manussadhammaṁ alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

But after giving up six qualities you can realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones. What six? Lack of mindfulness and situational awareness, not guarding the sense doors, eating too much, fawning, and flattery. After giving up these six qualities you can realize a superhuman distinction in knowledge and vision worthy of the noble ones.”

Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme pahāya bhabbo uttari manussadhammaṁ alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katame cha? Muṭṭhassaccaṁ, asampajaññaṁ, indriyesu aguttadvārataṁ, bhojane amattaññutaṁ, kuhanaṁ, lapanaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme pahāya bhabbo uttari manussadhammaṁ alamariyañāṇadassanavisesaṁ sacchikātun”ti.

AN 6.78 · Joy and Happiness

AN 6.78 · Sukhasomanassasutta

“Mendicants, when a mendicant has six things they’re full of joy and happiness in this very life, and they have laid the groundwork for ending the defilements. What six? It’s when a mendicant enjoys the teaching, meditation, giving up, seclusion, kindness, and non-proliferation. When a mendicant possesses these six things they’re full of joy and happiness in this very life, and they have laid the groundwork for ending the defilements.”

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhasomanassabahulo viharati, yoni cassa āraddhā hoti āsavānaṁ khayāya. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammārāmo hoti, bhāvanārāmo hoti, pahānārāmo hoti, pavivekārāmo hoti, abyāpajjhārāmo hoti, nippapañcārāmo hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhasomanassabahulo viharati, yoni cassa āraddhā hoti āsavānaṁ khayāyā”ti.

AN 6.79 · Achievement

AN 6.79 · Adhigamasutta

“Mendicants, a mendicant who has six qualities is unable to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired. What six? It’s when a mendicant is not skilled in progress, skilled in regress, or skilled in means. They don’t generate enthusiasm to achieve skillful qualities not yet achieved. They don’t protect skillful qualities they have achieved. And they don’t try to persist in the task. A mendicant who possesses these six qualities is unable to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired.

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo anadhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na āyakusalo ca hoti, na apāyakusalo ca hoti, na upāyakusalo ca hoti, anadhigatānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ adhigamāya na chandaṁ janeti, adhigate kusale dhamme na ārakkhati, sātaccakiriyāya na sampādeti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo anadhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

A mendicant who has six qualities is able to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired. What six? It’s when a mendicant is skilled in progress, skilled in regress, and skilled in means. They generate enthusiasm to achieve skillful qualities not yet achieved. They protect skillful qualities they have achieved. And they try to persist in the task. A mendicant who possesses these six qualities is able to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired.”

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo anadhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu āyakusalo ca hoti, apāyakusalo ca hoti, upāyakusalo ca hoti, anadhigatānaṁ kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ adhigamāya chandaṁ janeti, adhigate kusale dhamme ārakkhati, sātaccakiriyāya sampādeti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo anadhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ vā kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātun”ti.

AN 6.80 · Greatness

AN 6.80 · Mahantattasutta

“Mendicants, a mendicant with six qualities soon acquires great and abundant good qualities. What six? It’s when a mendicant is full of light, full of practice, full of inspiration, and full of eagerness. They don’t slack off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. They reach further. A mendicant who possesses these six qualities soon acquires great and abundant good qualities.”

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva mahantattaṁ vepullattaṁ pāpuṇāti dhammesu. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ālokabahulo ca hoti yogabahulo ca vedabahulo ca asantuṭṭhibahulo ca anikkhittadhuro ca kusalesu dhammesu uttari ca patāreti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva mahantattaṁ vepullattaṁ pāpuṇāti dhammesū”ti.

AN 6.81 · Hell (1st)

AN 6.81 · Paṭhamanirayasutta

“Mendicants, someone with six qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What six? They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, and lie. And they have corrupt wishes and wrong view. Someone with these six qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye. Katamehi chahi? Pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, pāpiccho ca, micchādiṭṭhi ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye.

Someone with six qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there. What six? They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or lie. And they have few desires and right view. Someone with these six qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.”

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge. Katamehi chahi? Pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, appiccho ca, sammādiṭṭhi ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge”ti.

AN 6.82 · Hell (2nd)

AN 6.82 · Dutiyanirayasutta

“Mendicants, someone with six qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What six? They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, and lie. And they’re greedy and rude. Someone with these six qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye. Katamehi chahi? Pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, luddho ca, pagabbho ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye.

Someone with six qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there. What six? They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or lie. And they’re not greedy or rude. Someone with these six qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.”

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge. Katamehi chahi? Pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, aluddho ca, appagabbho ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge”ti.

AN 6.83 · The Best Thing

AN 6.83 · Aggadhammasutta

“Mendicants, a mendicant with six qualities can’t realize the best thing, perfection. What six? It’s when a mendicant is faithless, shameless, imprudent, lazy, and witless. And they’re concerned with their body and their life. A mendicant with these six qualities can’t realize the best thing, perfection.

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu assaddho hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti, kusīto hoti, duppañño hoti, kāye ca jīvite ca sāpekkho hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

A mendicant with six qualities can realize the best thing, perfection. What six? It’s when a mendicant is faithful, conscientious, prudent, energetic, and wise. And they have no concern for their body and their life. A mendicant with these six qualities can realize the best thing, perfection.”

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti, kāye ca jīvite ca anapekkho hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātun”ti.

AN 6.84 · Day and Night

AN 6.84 · Rattidivasasutta

“Mendicants, a mendicant with six qualities can expect decline, not growth, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night. What six? It’s when a mendicant has many desires—they’re frustrated and not content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. And they’re faithless, unethical, unmindful, and witless. A mendicant with these six qualities can expect decline, not growth, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu mahiccho hoti, vighātavā, asantuṭṭho, itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, assaddho hoti, dussīlo hoti, kusīto hoti, muṭṭhassati hoti, duppañño hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi.

A mendicant with six qualities can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night. What six? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t have many desires—they’re not frustrated but content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. And they’re faithful, ethical, mindful, and wise. A mendicant with these six qualities can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.”

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no parihāni. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na mahiccho hoti, avighātavā, santuṭṭho, itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, saddho hoti, sīlavā hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, satimā hoti, paññavā hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno yā ratti vā divaso vā āgacchati vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā, kusalesu dhammesu no parihānī”ti.