1. Wealth

Pleasing (1st)

an7.1:1 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!” “Venerable sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

an7.1:2 “Mendicants, a mendicant with seven qualities is disliked and disapproved by their spiritual companions, not respected or admired. What seven? It’s when a mendicant desires material things, honor, and status. They lack conscience and prudence. They have corrupt wishes and wrong view. A mendicant with these seven qualities is disliked and disapproved by their spiritual companions, not respected or admired.

an7.1:3 A mendicant with seven qualities is liked and approved by their spiritual companions, respected and admired. What seven? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t desire material things, honor, and status. They have conscience and prudence. They have few desires and right view. A mendicant with these seven qualities is liked and approved by their spiritual companions, respected and admired.”

1. Wealth

Pleasing (2nd)

an7.2:1 “Mendicants, a mendicant with seven qualities is disliked and disapproved by their spiritual companions, not respected or admired. What seven? It’s when a mendicant desires material things, honor, and status. They lack conscience and prudence. They’re jealous and stingy. A mendicant with these seven qualities is disliked and disapproved by their spiritual companions, not respected or admired.

an7.2:2 A mendicant with seven qualities is liked and approved by their spiritual companions, respected and admired. What seven? It’s when a mendicant doesn’t desire material things, honor, and status. They have conscience and prudence. They’re not jealous or stingy. A mendicant with these seven qualities is liked and approved by their spiritual companions, respected and admired.”

1. Wealth

Powers in Brief

an7.3:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Sāvatthī in Jeta’s Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s monastery. … “Mendicants, there are these seven powers. What seven? The powers of faith, energy, conscience, prudence, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom. These are the seven powers.

an7.3:2 The powers are faith and energy, conscience and prudence, mindfulness and immersion, and wisdom as the seventh power. Empowered by these, an astute mendicant lives happily.

an7.3:3 They should examine the teaching rationally, discerning the meaning with wisdom. The liberation of their heart is like a lamp going out.”

1. Wealth

Powers in Detail

an7.4:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven powers. What seven? The powers of faith, energy, conscience, prudence, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom.

an7.4:2 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 teacher, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of humans, awakened, blessed.’ This is called the power of faith.

an7.4:3 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.

an7.4:4 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 acquiring any bad, unskillful qualities. This is called the power of conscience.

an7.4:5 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 the acquiring of any bad, unskillful qualities. This is called the power of prudence.

an7.4:6 And what is the power of mindfulness? It’s when a noble disciple is mindful. They have utmost mindfulness and alertness, and can remember and recall what was said and done long ago. This is called the power of mindfulness.

an7.4:7 And what is the power of immersion? It’s when a noble disciple, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected. … With the giving up of pleasure and pain and the disappearance of former happiness and sadness, they enter and remain in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness. This is called the power of immersion.

an7.4:8 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.

an7.4:9 These are the seven powers.

an7.4:10 The powers are faith and energy, conscience and prudence, mindfulness and immersion, and wisdom as the seventh power. Empowered by these, an astute mendicant lives happily.

an7.4:11 They should examine the teaching rationally, discerning the meaning with wisdom. The liberation of their heart is like a lamp going out.”

1. Wealth

Wealth in Brief

an7.5:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven kinds of wealth. What seven? The wealth of faith, ethics, conscience, prudence, learning, generosity, and wisdom. These are the seven kinds of wealth.

an7.5:2 Faith and ethical conduct are kinds of wealth, as are conscience and prudence, learning and generosity, and wisdom is the seventh kind of wealth.

an7.5:3 When a woman or man has these kinds of wealth, they’re said to be prosperous, their life is not in vain.

an7.5:4 So let the wise devote themselves to faith, ethical behavior, confidence, and insight into the teaching, remembering the instructions of the Buddhas.”

1. Wealth

Wealth in Detail

an7.6:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven kinds of wealth. What seven? The wealth of faith, ethics, conscience, prudence, learning, generosity, and wisdom.

an7.6:2 And what is the wealth of faith? It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening … This is called the wealth of faith.

an7.6:3 And what is the wealth of ethical conduct? It’s when a noble disciple doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, use speech that’s false, backbiting, harsh, or nonsensical, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. This is called the wealth of ethical conduct.

an7.6:4 And what is the wealth 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 wealth of conscience.

an7.6:5 And what is the wealth 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 the acquiring of any bad, unskillful qualities. This is called the wealth of prudence.

an7.6:6 And what is the wealth of learning? It’s when a noble disciple is very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, rehearsing them, mentally scrutinizing them, and penetrating them theoretically. This is called the wealth of learning.

an7.6:7 And what is the wealth of generosity? It’s when a noble disciple lives at home with heart rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share. This is called the wealth of generosity.

an7.6:8 And what is the wealth 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 wealth of wisdom.

an7.6:9 These are the seven kinds of wealth.

an7.6:10 Faith and ethical conduct are kinds of wealth, as are conscience and prudence, learning and generosity, and wisdom is the seventh kind of wealth.

an7.6:11 When a woman or man has these kinds of wealth, they’re said to be prosperous, their life is not in vain.

an7.6:12 So let the wise devote themselves to faith, ethical behavior, confidence, and insight into the teaching, remembering the instructions of the Buddhas.”

1. Wealth

With Ugga

an7.7:1 Then Ugga the government chief minister went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him,

an7.7:2 “It’s incredible, sir, it’s amazing! Migāra of Rohaṇa is so rich, so very wealthy.” “But Ugga, how rich is he?” “He has a hundred thousand gold coins, not to mention the silver coins!” “Well, Ugga, that is wealth, I can’t deny it. But fire, water, rulers, thieves, and unloved heirs all take a share of that wealth. There are these seven kinds of wealth that they can’t take a share of. What seven? The wealth of faith, ethics, conscience, prudence, learning, generosity, and wisdom. There are these seven kinds of wealth that fire, water, rulers, thieves, and unloved heirs can’t take a share of.

an7.7:3 Faith and ethical conduct are kinds of wealth, as are conscience and prudence, learning and generosity, and wisdom is the seventh kind of wealth.

an7.7:4 When a woman or man has these kinds of wealth, they’re really rich in the world, invincible among angels and humans.

an7.7:5 So let the wise devote themselves to faith, ethical behavior, confidence, and insight into the teaching, remembering the instructions of the Buddhas.”

1. Wealth

Fetters

an7.8:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven fetters. What seven? The fetters of attraction, aversion, views, doubt, conceit, desire for continued existence, and ignorance. These are the seven fetters.”

1. Wealth

Giving Up

an7.9:1 “Mendicants, the spiritual life is lived to give up and cut out these seven fetters. What seven? The fetters of attraction, aversion, views, doubt, conceit, desire for renewed existence, and ignorance. The spiritual life is lived to give up and cut out these seven fetters. When a mendicant has given up the fetters of attraction, repulsion, views, doubt, conceit, desire for renewed existence, and ignorance—cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so they are unable to arise in the future— they’re called a mendicant who has cut off craving, cast off the fetters, and by rightly comprehending conceit has made an end of suffering.”

1. Wealth

Stinginess

an7.10:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven fetters. What seven? The fetters of attraction, aversion, views, doubt, conceit, jealousy, and stinginess. These are the seven fetters.”

2. Tendencies

Underlying Tendencies (1st)

an7.11:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven underlying tendencies. What seven? The underlying tendencies of sensual desire, aversion, views, doubt, conceit, desire for continued existence, and ignorance. These are the seven underlying tendencies.”

2. Tendencies

Underlying Tendencies (2nd)

an7.12:1 “Mendicants, the spiritual life is lived to give up and cut out these seven underlying tendencies. What seven? The underlying tendencies of sensual desire, aversion, views, doubt, conceit, desire for renewed existence, and ignorance. The spiritual life is lived to give up and cut out these seven underlying tendencies.

an7.12:2 When a mendicant has given up the underlying tendencies of sensual desire, repulsion, views, doubt, conceit, desire for renewed existence, and ignorance—cut them off at the root, made them like a palm stump, obliterated them, so they are unable to arise in the future— they’re called a mendicant who has cut off craving, cast off the fetters, and by rightly comprehending conceit has made an end of suffering.”

2. Tendencies

A Family

an7.13:1 “Mendicants, visiting a family with seven factors is not worthwhile, or if you’ve already arrived, sitting down is not worthwhile. What seven? They don’t politely rise, bow, or offer a seat. They hide what they have. Even when they have much they give little. Even when they have fine things they give coarse things. They give carelessly, not carefully. Visiting a family with these seven factors is not worthwhile, or if you’ve already arrived, sitting down is not worthwhile.

an7.13:2 Visiting a family with seven factors is worthwhile, or if you’ve already arrived, sitting down is worthwhile. What seven? They politely rise, bow, and offer a seat. They don’t hide what they have. When they have much they give much. When they have refined things they give refined things. They give carefully, not carelessly. Visiting a family with these seven factors is worthwhile, or if you’ve already arrived, sitting down is worthwhile.”

2. Tendencies

Individuals

an7.14:1 “Mendicants, these seven individuals are worthy of offerings made for God's sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a charitable donation, worthy of honor, and are the supreme field of merit for the world. What seven? The one freed both ways, the one freed by wisdom, the direct witness, the one attained to view, the one freed by faith, the follower of teachings, and the follower by faith. These are the seven individuals who are worthy of offerings made for God's sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a charitable donation, worthy of honor, and are the supreme field of merit for the world.”

2. Tendencies

A Simile With Water

an7.15:1 “Mendicants, these seven individuals found in the world are like those in water. What seven? One individual sinks under once and stays under. One individual rises up then sinks under. One individual rises up then stays put. One individual rises up then sees and discerns. One individual rises up then crosses over. One individual rises up then finds a foothold. One individual has risen up, crossed over, and gone to the far shore, a brahmin who stands on solid ground.

an7.15:2 And what kind of individual sinks under once and stays under? It’s the kind of individual who has absolutely dark, unskillful qualities. This kind of individual sinks under once and stays under.

an7.15:3 And what kind of individual rises up then sinks under? It’s the kind of individual who, rising up, thinks: ‘It’s good to have faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ However their faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom don’t last or grow, but dwindle away. This kind of individual rises up then sinks under.

an7.15:4 And what kind of individual rises up then stays put? It’s the kind of individual who, rising up, thinks: ‘It’s good to have faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ And their faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom lasts, neither dwindling nor growing. This kind of individual rises up then stays put.

an7.15:5 And what kind of individual rises up then sees and discerns? It’s the kind of individual who, rising up, thinks: ‘It’s good to have faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ With the ending of three fetters they’re a stream-enterer, not destined for hell, assured, destined for awakening. This kind of individual rises up then sees and discerns.

an7.15:6 And what kind of individual rises up then crosses over? It’s the kind of individual who, rising up, thinks: ‘It’s good to have faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ With the ending of three fetters, and the weakening of greed, hate, and delusion, they’re a once-returner. They come back to this world once only, then make an end of suffering. This kind of individual rises up then crosses over.

an7.15:7 And what kind of individual rises up then finds a foothold? It’s the kind of individual who, rising up, thinks: ‘It’s good to have faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ With the ending of the five lower fetters they are raised to a high rank. They find peace there, and do not fall back from that rank. This kind of individual rises up then finds a foothold.

an7.15:8 And what kind of individual has risen up, crossed over, and gone to the far shore, a brahmin who stands on solid ground? It’s the kind of individual who, rising up, thinks: ‘It’s good to have faith, conscience, prudence, energy, and wisdom regarding skillful qualities.’ They realize 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 kind of individual has risen up, crossed over, and gone to the far shore, a brahmin who stands on solid ground.

an7.15:9 These seven individuals found in the world are like those in water.”

2. Tendencies

Observing Impermanence

an7.16:1 “Mendicants, these seven individuals are worthy of offerings made for God's sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a charitable donation, worthy of honor, and are the supreme field of merit for the world. What seven? First, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in all conditions. They perceive impermanence and experience impermanence. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. They’ve realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, and live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. This is the first individual.

an7.16:2 Next, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in all conditions. Their defilements and their life come to an end at exactly the same time. This is the second individual.

an7.16:3 Next, take an individual who meditates observing impermanence in all conditions. With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they rise upstream, to the highest realm. This is the seventh individual. These are the seven individuals who are worthy of offerings made for God's sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a charitable donation, worthy of honor, and are the supreme field of merit for the world.”

2. Tendencies

Observing Suffering

an7.17:1 “Mendicants, these seven individuals are worthy of offerings made for God's sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a charitable donation, worthy of honor, and are the supreme field of merit for the world. What seven? First, take an individual who meditates observing suffering in all conditions. They perceive suffering and experience suffering. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. …”

2. Tendencies

Observing Not-self

an7.18:1 “First, take an individual who meditates observing not-self in all things. They perceive not-self and experience not-self. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. …”

2. Tendencies

Extinguishment

an7.19:1 “One meditates observing the happiness in extinguishment. They perceive happiness and experience happiness. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. They’ve realized the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom, and live having realized it with their own insight in this very life due to the ending of defilements. This is the first individual worthy of offerings.

an7.19:2 Next, take an individual who meditates observing the happiness in extinguishment. They perceive happiness and experience happiness. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. Their defilements and their life come to an end at exactly the same time. This is the second individual.

an7.19:3 Next, take an individual who meditates observing the happiness in extinguishment. They perceive happiness and experience happiness. Constantly, continually, and without interruption, they apply the mind and fathom with wisdom. With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished between one life and the next. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished upon landing. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished without extra effort. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they’re extinguished with extra effort. … With the ending of the five lower fetters they rise upstream, to the highest realm. This is the seventh individual. These are the seven individuals who are worthy of offerings made for God's sake, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a charitable donation, worthy of honor, and are the supreme field of merit for the world.”

2. Tendencies

Qualifications for Graduation

an7.20:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven qualifications for graduation. What seven? It’s when a mendicant has a keen enthusiasm to undertake the training … to examine the teachings … to get rid of desires … for retreat … to rouse up energy … for mindfulness and alertness … to penetrate theoretically. And they don’t lose these desires in the future. These are the seven qualifications for graduation.”

3. The Vajji Seven

At Sārandada

an7.21:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Vesālī, at the Sārandada Shrine. Then several Licchavis went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and the Buddha said to these Licchavis: “Licchavis, I will teach you these seven principles that prevent decline. Listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, sir,” they replied. The Buddha said this:

an7.21:2 “And what are the seven principles that prevent decline? As long as the Vajjis meet frequently and have many meetings, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.21:3 As long as the Vajjis meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.21:4 As long as the Vajjis don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjian principles as they have been decreed, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.21:5 As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate Vajjian elders, and think them worth listening to, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.21:6 As long as the Vajjis don’t forcibly abduct the women or girls of the clans and make them live with them, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.21:7 As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate their elders and their places of gathering, whether inner or outer, not neglecting the proper charity that was given and made in the past, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.21:8 As long as the Vajjis organize proper protection, shelter, and security for perfected ones, so that more perfected ones might come to the realm and those already here may live in comfort, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.21:9 As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the Vajjis, and as long as the Vajjis are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

3. The Vajji Seven

With Vassakāra

an7.22:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. Now at that time King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wanted to invade the Vajjis. He said: “I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!”

an7.22:2 And then King Ajātasattu addressed Vassakāra the brahmin, a chief minister of Magadha, “Please, brahmin, go to the Buddha, and in my name bow with your head to his feet. Ask him if he is healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. And then say: ‘Sir, King Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of the princess of Videha, wants to invade the Vajjis. He said: “I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!”’ Remember well how the Buddha answers and tell it to me. For Realized Ones say nothing that is not so.”

an7.22:3 “Yes, worthy sir,” Vassakāra replied. He went to the Buddha and exchanged greetings with him. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side and said to the Buddha: “Worthy Gotama, King Ajātasattu bows with his head to your feet. He asks if you are healthy and well, nimble, strong, and living comfortably. King Ajātasattu wants to invade the Vajjis. He said: ‘I shall wipe out these Vajjis, so mighty and powerful! I shall destroy them, and lay ruin and devastation upon them!’”

an7.22:4 Now at that time Venerable Ānanda was standing behind the Buddha fanning him. Then the Buddha said to him: “Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet frequently and have many meetings?” “I have heard that, sir.” “As long as the Vajjis meet frequently and have many meetings, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.22:5 Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony?” “I have heard that, sir.” “As long as the Vajjis meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.22:6 Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjian principles as they have been decreed?” “I have heard that, sir.” “As long as the Vajjis don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the ancient Vajjian principles as they have been decreed, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.22:7 Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate Vajjian elders, and think them worth listening to?” “I have heard that, sir.” “As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate Vajjian elders, and think them worth listening to, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.22:8 Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis don’t forcibly abduct the women or girls of the clans and make them live with them?” “I have heard that, sir.” “As long as the Vajjis don’t forcibly abduct the women or girls of the clans and make them live with them, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.22:9 Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate their elders and their places of gathering, whether inner or outer, not neglecting the proper charity that was given and made in the past?” “I have heard that, sir.” “As long as the Vajjis honor, respect, esteem, and venerate their elders and their places of gathering, whether inner or outer, not neglecting the proper charity that was given and made in the past, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.22:10 Ānanda, have you heard that the Vajjis organize proper protection, shelter, and security for perfected ones, so that more perfected ones might come to the realm and those already here may live in comfort?” “I have heard that, sir.” “As long as the Vajjis organize proper protection, shelter, and security for perfected ones, so that more perfected ones might come to the realm and those already here may live in comfort, they can expect growth, not decline.”