an4.204:5 And what is an even truer person? It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. They’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. And they encourage others to do these things. This is called an even truer person.”

21. A True Person

Eightfold

an4.205:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you an untrue person and an even more untrue person, a true person and an even truer person.

an4.205:2 And what is an untrue person? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. This is called an untrue person.

an4.205:3 And what is an even more untrue person? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called an even more untrue person.

an4.205:4 And what is a true person? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. This is called a true person.

an4.205:5 And what is an even truer person? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called an even truer person.”

21. A True Person

The Path with Ten Factors

an4.206:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you an untrue person and an even more untrue person, a true person and an even truer person.

an4.206:2 And what is an untrue person? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong immersion, wrong knowledge, and wrong freedom. This is called an untrue person.

an4.206:3 And what is an even more untrue person? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong immersion, wrong knowledge, and wrong freedom. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called an even more untrue person.

an4.206:4 And what is a true person? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right immersion, right knowledge, and right freedom. This is called a true person.

an4.206:5 And what is an even truer person? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right immersion, right knowledge, and right freedom. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called an even truer person.”

21. A True Person

Bad Character (1st)

an4.207:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you who’s bad and who’s worse, who’s good and who’s better.

an4.207:2 And who’s bad? It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view. This is called bad.

an4.207:3 And who’s worse? It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. They’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view. And they encourage others to do these things. This is called worse.

an4.207:4 And who’s good? It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. This is called good.

an4.207:5 And who’s better? It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. They’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. And they encourage others to do these things. This is called better.”

21. A True Person

Bad Character (2nd)

an4.208:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you who’s bad and who’s worse, who’s good and who’s better.

an4.208:2 And who’s bad? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong immersion, wrong knowledge, and wrong freedom. This is called bad.

an4.208:3 And who’s worse? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong immersion, wrong knowledge, and wrong freedom. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called worse.

an4.208:4 And who’s good? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right immersion, right knowledge, and right freedom. This is called good.

an4.208:5 And who’s better? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right immersion, right knowledge, and right freedom. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called better.”

21. A True Person

Bad Character (3rd)

an4.209:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you bad character and worse character, good character and better character.

an4.209:2 And who has bad character? It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view. This is called bad character.

an4.209:3 And who has worse character? It’s someone who kills living creatures, steals, and commits sexual misconduct. They use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. They’re covetous, malicious, with wrong view. And they encourage others to do these things. This is called worse character.

an4.209:4 And who has good character? It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. This is called good character.

an4.209:5 And who has better character? It’s someone who doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. They’re contented, kind-hearted, with right view. And they encourage others to do these things. This is called better character.”

21. A True Person

Bad Character (4th)

an4.210:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you bad character and worse character, good character and better character.

an4.210:2 And who has bad character? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong immersion, wrong knowledge, and wrong freedom. This is called bad character.

an4.210:3 And who has worse character? It’s someone who has wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong immersion, wrong knowledge, and wrong freedom. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called worse character.

an4.210:4 And who has good character? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right immersion, right knowledge, and right freedom. This is called good character.

an4.210:5 And who has better character? It’s someone who has right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right immersion, right knowledge, and right freedom. And they encourage others in these same qualities. This is called better character.”

22. Assembly

Assembly

an4.211:1 “Mendicants, these four corrupt an assembly. What four? A monk, nun, layman, or laywoman who is unethical, of bad character. These are the four that corrupt an assembly.

an4.211:2 Mendicants, these four grace an assembly. What four? A monk, nun, layman, or laywoman who is ethical, of good character. These are the four that grace an assembly.”

22. Assembly

View

an4.212:1 “Mendicants, someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What four? Bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and wrong view. Someone with these four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

an4.212:2 Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. What four? Good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and right view. Someone with these four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there.”

22. Assembly

Ungrateful

an4.213:1 “Mendicants, someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What four? Bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and being ungrateful and thankless. Someone with these four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

an4.213:2 Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. What four? Good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and being grateful and thankful. Someone with these four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there.”

22. Assembly

Killing Living Creatures

an4.214:1 “Someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. … They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, and lie. … Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. … They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or lie. …”

22. Assembly

Path (1st)

an4.215:1 “Someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. … wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action. … Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. … right view, right purpose, right speech, right action. …”

22. Assembly

Path (2nd)

an4.216:1 “Someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. … wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. … right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. …”

22. Assembly

Kinds of Expression (1st)

an4.217:1 “Someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. … They say they’ve seen, heard, thought, or known something, but they haven’t. … Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. … They say they haven’t seen, heard, thought, or known something, and they haven’t. …”

22. Assembly

Kinds of Expression (2nd)

an4.218:1 “Someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. … They say they haven’t seen, heard, thought, or known something, but they have. … Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. … They say they’ve seen, heard, thought, or known something, and they have. …”

22. Assembly

Lack of Conscience

an4.219:1 “Someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. … They’re faithless, unethical, shameless, and imprudent. … Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. … They’re faithful, ethical, conscientious, and prudent. …”

22. Assembly

Unethical

an4.220:1 “Mendicants, someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What four? They’re faithless, unethical, lazy, and witless. Someone with these four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

an4.220:2 Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. What four? They’re faithful, ethical, energetic, and wise. Someone with these four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there.”

23. Bad Conduct

Verbal Conduct

an4.221:1 “Mendicants, there are these four kinds of bad conduct by way of speech. What four? Speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. These are the four kinds of bad conduct by way of speech. There are these four kinds of good conduct by way of speech. What four? Speech that’s true, harmonious, gentle, and thoughtful. These are the four kinds of good conduct by way of speech.”

23. Bad Conduct

View

an4.222:1 “When a foolish, incompetent untrue person has four qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness. What four? Bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and wrong view. When a foolish, incompetent untrue person possesses these four qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

an4.222:2 When an astute, competent true person has four qualities they keep themselves healthy and whole. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit. What four? Good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and right view. When an astute, competent true person possesses these four qualities they keep themselves healthy and whole. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.”

23. Bad Conduct

Ungrateful

an4.223:1 “When a foolish, incompetent untrue person has four qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness. What four? Bad conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and being ungrateful and thankless. An astute person … brims with much merit. … Good conduct by way of body, speech, and mind, and being grateful and thankful. …”

23. Bad Conduct

Killing Living Creatures

an4.224:1 “A foolish person … brims with much wickedness. … They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, and lie. … An astute person … brims with much merit. … They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or lie. …”

23. Bad Conduct

Path (1st)

an4.225:1 “A foolish person … brims with much wickedness. … wrong view, wrong purpose, wrong speech, wrong action. … An astute person … brims with much merit. … right view, right purpose, right speech, right action. …”

23. Bad Conduct

Path (2nd)

an4.226:1 “A foolish person … brims with much wickedness. … wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, and wrong immersion. … An astute person … brims with much merit. … right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. …”

23. Bad Conduct

Kinds of Expression (1st)

an4.227:1 “A foolish person … brims with much wickedness. … They say they’ve seen, heard, thought, or known something, but they haven’t. … An astute person … brims with much merit. … They say they haven’t seen, heard, thought, or known something, and they haven’t. …”

23. Bad Conduct

Kinds of Expression (2nd)

an4.228:1 “A foolish person … brims with much wickedness. … They say they haven’t seen, heard, thought, or known something, but they have. … An astute person … brims with much merit. … They say they’ve seen, heard, thought, or known something, and they have. …”

23. Bad Conduct

Lack of Conscience

an4.229:1 “A foolish person … brims with much wickedness. … They’re faithless, unethical, shameless, and imprudent. … An astute person … brims with much merit. … They’re faithful, ethical, conscientious, and prudent. …”

23. Bad Conduct

Witless

an4.230:1 “A foolish person … brims with much wickedness. … They’re faithless, unethical, lazy, and witless. … An astute person … brims with much merit. … They’re faithful, ethical, energetic, and wise. When an astute, competent true person possesses these four qualities they keep themselves healthy and whole. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.”

23. Bad Conduct

Poets

an4.231:1 “Mendicants, there are these four poets. What four? A poet who thoughtfully composes their own work, a poet who repeats the oral transmission, a poet who educates, and a poet who improvises. These are the four poets.”

24. Deeds

Deeds In Brief

an4.232:1 “Mendicants, I declare these four kinds of deeds, having realized them with my own insight. What four? There are dark deeds with dark results. There are bright deeds with bright results. There are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results. There are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. These are the four kinds of deeds that I declare, having realized them with my own insight.”

24. Deeds

Deeds in Detail

an4.233:1 “Mendicants, I declare these four kinds of deeds, having realized them with my own insight. What four? There are dark deeds with dark results; bright deeds with bright results; dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results; and neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds.

an4.233:2 And what are dark deeds with dark results? It’s when someone makes hurtful choices by way of body, speech, and mind. Having made these choices, they end up in a hurtful state, where hurtful contacts strike them. Touched by hurtful contacts, they experience hurtful feelings that are absolutely painful—like the beings in hell. These are called dark deeds with dark results.

an4.233:3 And what are bright deeds with bright results? It’s when someone makes pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. Having made these choices, they end up in a pleasing state, where pleasing contacts strike them. Touched by pleasing contacts, they experience pleasing feelings of absolute happiness—like the dwellers of the Garden. These are called bright deeds with bright results.

an4.233:4 And what are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results? It’s when someone makes both hurtful and pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. Having made these choices, they end up in a state that is both hurtful and pleasing, where hurtful and pleasing contacts strike them. Touched by both hurtful and pleasing contacts, they experience both hurtful and pleasing feelings that are a mixture of pleasure and pain—like humans and some beings in the underworld. These are called dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results.

an4.233:5 And what are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds? It’s the intention to give up dark deeds with dark results, bright deeds with bright results, and both dark and bright deeds with both dark and bright results. These are called neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. These are the four kinds of deeds that I declare, having realized them with my own insight.”

24. Deeds

About Soṇakāyana

an4.234:1 Then Sikhāmoggallāna the brahmin went up to the Buddha, and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, Sikhāmoggallāna sat down to one side, and said to the Buddha:

an4.234:2 “Worthy Gotama, a few days ago the student Soṇakāyana came to me and said: ‘The ascetic Gotama advocates not doing any deeds. So he teaches the annihilation of the world!’ The world exists through deeds, and it remains because deeds are undertaken.”

an4.234:3 “Brahmin, I can’t recall even seeing the student Soṇakāyana, so how could we possibly have had such a discussion? I declare these four kinds of deeds, having realized them with my own insight. What four? There are dark deeds with dark results; bright deeds with bright results; dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results; and neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds.

an4.234:4 And what are dark deeds with dark results? It’s when someone makes hurtful choices by way of body, speech, and mind. … Touched by hurtful contacts, they experience hurtful feelings that are absolutely painful—like the beings in hell. These are called dark deeds with dark results.

an4.234:5 And what are bright deeds with bright results? It’s when someone makes pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. … Touched by pleasing contacts, they experience pleasing feelings of absolute happiness—like the dwellers of the Garden. These are called bright deeds with bright results.

an4.234:6 And what are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results? It’s when someone makes both hurtful and pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. … Touched by both hurtful and pleasing contacts, they experience both hurtful and pleasing feelings that are a mixture of pleasure and pain—like humans and some beings in the underworld. These are called dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results.

an4.234:7 And what are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds? It’s the intention to give up dark deeds with dark results, bright deeds with bright results, and both dark and bright deeds with both dark and bright results. These are called neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. These are the four kinds of deeds that I declare, having realized them with my own insight.”

24. Deeds

Training Rules (1st)

an4.235:1 “Mendicants, I declare these four kinds of deeds, having realized them with my own insight. What four? There are dark deeds with dark results; bright deeds with bright results; dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results; and neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. And what are dark deeds with dark results? It’s when someone kills living creatures, steals, commits sexual misconduct, lies, and consumes intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. These are called dark deeds with dark results.

an4.235:2 And what are bright deeds with bright results? It’s when someone doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. These are called bright deeds with bright results.

an4.235:3 And what are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results? It’s when someone makes both hurtful and pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results.

an4.235:4 And what are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds? It’s the intention to give up dark deeds with dark results, bright deeds with bright results, and both dark and bright deeds with both dark and bright results. These are called neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. These are the four kinds of deeds that I declare, having realized them with my own insight.”

24. Deeds

Training Rules (2nd)

an4.236:1 “Mendicants, I declare these four kinds of deeds, having realized them with my own insight. What four? There are dark deeds with dark results; bright deeds with bright results; dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results; and neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds.

an4.236:2 And what are dark deeds with dark results? It’s when someone murders their mother or father or a perfected one. They maliciously shed the blood of a Realized One. Or they cause a schism in the Saṅgha. These are called dark deeds with dark results.

an4.236:3 And what are bright deeds with bright results? It’s when someone doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, or commit sexual misconduct. They don’t use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical. And they’re content, kind-hearted, with right view. These are called bright deeds with bright results.

an4.236:4 And what are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results? It’s when someone makes both hurtful and pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results.

an4.236:5 And what are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds? It’s the intention to give up dark deeds with dark results, bright deeds with bright results, and both dark and bright deeds with both dark and bright results. These are called neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. These are the four kinds of deeds that I declare, having realized them with my own insight.”

24. Deeds

The Noble Path

an4.237:1 “Mendicants, I declare these four kinds of deeds, having realized them with my own insight. What four? There are dark deeds with dark results; bright deeds with bright results; dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results; and neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds.

an4.237:2 And what are dark deeds with dark results? It’s when someone makes hurtful choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called dark deeds with dark results.

an4.237:3 And what are bright deeds with bright results? It’s when someone makes pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called bright deeds with bright results.

an4.237:4 And what are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results? It’s when someone makes both hurtful and pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results.

an4.237:5 And what are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds? Right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right immersion. These are called neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. These are the four kinds of deeds that I declare, having realized them with my own insight.”

24. Deeds

Awakening Factors

an4.238:1 “Mendicants, I declare these four kinds of deeds, having realized them with my own insight. … And what are dark deeds with dark results? It’s when someone makes hurtful choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called dark deeds with dark results.

an4.238:2 And what are bright deeds with bright results? It’s when someone makes pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called bright deeds with bright results.

an4.238:3 And what are dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results? It’s when someone makes both hurtful and pleasing choices by way of body, speech, and mind. These are called dark and bright deeds with dark and bright results.

an4.238:4 And what are neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. These are called neither dark nor bright deeds with neither dark nor bright results, which lead to the ending of deeds. These are the four kinds of deeds that I declare, having realized them with my own insight.”

24. Deeds

Blameworthy

an4.239:1 “Mendicants, someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What four? Blameworthy deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and blameworthy view. Someone with these four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

an4.239:2 Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. What four? Blameless deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and blameless view. Someone with these four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there.”

24. Deeds

Pleasing

an4.240:1 “Mendicants, someone with four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there. What four? Hurtful deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and hurtful view. Someone with these four qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

an4.240:2 Someone with four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there. What four? Pleasing deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and pleasing view. Someone with these four qualities is placed in the Garden as if delivered there.”

24. Deeds

Ascetics

an4.241:1 “‘Only here is there a first ascetic, here a second ascetic, here a third ascetic, and here a fourth ascetic. Other sects are empty of ascetics.’ This, mendicants, is how you should rightly roar your lion’s roar.

an4.241:2 And who is the first ascetic? It’s a mendicant who—with the ending of three fetters—is a stream-enterer, not liable to fall into the underworld, assured, destined for awakening. This is the first ascetic.

an4.241:3 And who is the second ascetic? It’s a mendicant who—with the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion—is a once-returner. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. This is the second ascetic.

an4.241:4 And who is the third ascetic? It’s a mendicant who—with the ending of the five lower fetters—attains salvation. They are not liable to fall back. This is the third ascetic.

an4.241:5 And who is the fourth ascetic? It’s a mendicant who realizes 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. This is the fourth ascetic.