an7.22:11 Then the Buddha said to Vassakāra: “Brahmin, this one time I was staying near Vesālī at the Sārandada Shrine. There I taught the Vajjis these principles that prevent decline. 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.”

an7.22:12 When the Buddha had spoken, Vassakāra said to him: “Worthy Gotama, if the Vajjis follow even a single one of these principles they can expect growth, not decline. How much more so all seven! King Ajātasattu cannot defeat the Vajjis in war, unless by bribery or by sowing dissension. Well, now, worthy Gotama, I must go. I have many duties, and much to do.” “Please, brahmin, go at your convenience.” Then Vassakāra the brahmin, having approved and agreed with what the Buddha said, rose from his seat and left.

3. The Vajji Seven

Non-Decline for Mendicants (1st)

an7.23:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha, on the Vulture’s Peak Mountain. There the Buddha addressed the mendicants: “Mendicants, 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:

an7.23:2 “What are the seven principles that prevent decline? As long as the mendicants meet frequently and have many meetings, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.23:3 As long as the mendicants meet in harmony, leave in harmony, and carry on their business in harmony, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.23:4 As long as the mendicants don’t make new decrees or abolish existing decrees, but proceed having undertaken the training rules as they have been decreed, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.23:5 As long as the mendicants honor, respect, esteem, and venerate the senior mendicants—of long standing, long gone forth, fathers and leaders of the Saṅgha—and think them worth listening to, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.23:6 As long as the mendicants don’t fall under the sway of arisen craving for worldly existence, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.23:7 As long as the mendicants take care to live in wilderness lodgings, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.23:8 As long as the mendicants individually establish mindfulness, so that more good-hearted spiritual companions might come, and those that have already come may live comfortably, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.23:9 As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

3. The Vajji Seven

Non-Decline for Mendicants (2nd)

an7.24:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you seven principles that prevent decline. Listen and apply your mind well … And what are the seven principles that prevent decline?

an7.24:2 As long as the mendicants don’t relish work, loving it and liking to relish it, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.24:3 As long as they don’t enjoy talk … sleep … company … they don’t have corrupt wishes, falling under the sway of corrupt wishes … they don’t have bad friends, companions, and associates … they don’t stop half-way after achieving some trifling distinction, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.24:4 As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

3. The Vajji Seven

Non-Decline for Mendicants (3rd)

an7.25:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you seven principles that prevent decline. Listen and apply your mind well … And what are the seven principles that prevent decline? As long as the mendicants are faithful …

an7.25:2 conscientious … prudent … learned … energetic … mindful … wise, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.25:3 As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

3. The Vajji Seven

Awakening Factors

an7.26:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you seven principles that prevent decline. Listen and apply your mind well … And what are the seven principles that prevent decline? As long as the mendicants develop the awakening factor of mindfulness …

an7.26:2 investigation of principles … energy … rapture … tranquility … immersion … equanimity, they can expect growth, not decline.

an7.26:3 As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

3. The Vajji Seven

Perceptions

an7.27:1 “Mendicants, I will teach you seven principles that prevent decline. Listen and apply your mind well … And what are the seven principles that prevent decline? As long as the mendicants develop the perception of impermanence …

an7.27:2 not-self … ugliness … drawbacks … giving up … fading away … cessation,

an7.27:3 they can expect growth, not decline. As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

3. The Vajji Seven

Non-decline for a Mendicant Trainee

an7.28:1 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: “These seven things lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee. What seven? They relish work, talk, sleep, and company. They don’t guard the sense doors and they eat too much. And when there is Saṅgha business to be carried out, they don’t reflect: ‘There are senior mendicants in the Saṅgha of long standing, long gone forth, responsible. They’ll be known for taking care of this.’ So they get involved in that. These seven things lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.

an7.28:2 These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee. What seven? They don’t relish work, talk, sleep, and company. They guard the sense doors and don’t eat too much. And when there is Saṅgha business to be carried out, they reflect: ‘There are senior mendicants in the Saṅgha of long standing, long gone forth, responsible. They’ll be known for taking care of this.’ So they don’t get involved in that. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant trainee.”

3. The Vajji Seven

Non-decline for a Lay Follower

an7.29:1 “These seven things lead to the decline of a lay follower. What seven? They miss out on seeing the mendicants. They neglect listening to the true teaching. They don’t train in higher ethical conduct. They’re very suspicious about mendicants, whether senior, junior, or middle. They listen to the teaching with a hostile, fault-finding mind. They seek outside of the Buddhist community for those worthy of religious donations. And they serve them first. These seven things lead to the decline of a lay follower.

an7.29:2 These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a lay follower. What seven? They don’t miss out on seeing the mendicants. They don’t neglect listening to the true teaching. They train in higher ethical conduct. They’re very confident about mendicants, whether senior, junior, or middle. They don’t listen to the teaching with a hostile, fault-finding mind. They don’t seek outside of the Buddhist community for those worthy of religious donations. And they serve the Buddhist community first. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a lay follower.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

an7.29:3 “A lay follower misses out on seeing those who are evolved and listening to the teachings of the Noble One. They don’t train in higher ethical conduct,

an7.29:4 and their suspicion about mendicants just grows and grows. They want to listen to the true teaching with a fault-finding mind.

an7.29:5 They seek outside the Buddhist community for someone else worthy of religious donations, and that lay follower serves them first.

an7.29:6 These seven principles leading to decline have been well taught. A lay follower who practices them falls away from the true teaching.

an7.29:7 A lay follower doesn’t miss out on seeing those who are evolved and listening to the teachings of the Noble One. They train in higher ethical conduct,

an7.29:8 and their confidence in mendicants just grows and grows. They want to listen to the true teaching without a fault-finding mind.

an7.29:9 They don’t seek outside the Buddhist community for someone else worthy of religious donations, and that lay follower serves the Buddhist community first.

an7.29:10 These seven principles that prevent decline have been well taught. A lay follower who practices them doesn’t fall away from the true teaching.”

3. The Vajji Seven

Failures for a Lay Follower

an7.30:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven failures for a lay follower … There are these seven accomplishments for a lay follower …”

3. The Vajji Seven

Downfalls for a Lay Follower

an7.31:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven downfalls for a lay follower … There are these seven successes for a lay follower. What seven? They don’t miss out on seeing the mendicants. They don’t neglect listening to the true teaching. They train in higher ethical conduct. They’re very confident about mendicants, whether senior, junior, or middle. They don’t listen to the teaching with a hostile, fault-finding mind. They don’t seek outside of the Buddhist community for those worthy of religious donations. And they serve the Buddhist community first. These are the seven successes for a lay follower.

an7.31:2 A lay follower misses out on seeing those who are evolved and listening to the teachings of the Noble One. They don’t train in higher ethical conduct,

an7.31:3 and their suspicion about mendicants just grows and grows. They want to listen to the true teaching with a fault-finding mind.

an7.31:4 They seek outside the Buddhist community for someone else worthy of religious donations, and that lay follower serves them first.

an7.31:5 These seven principles leading to decline have been well taught. A lay follower who practices these falls away from the true teaching.

an7.31:6 A lay follower doesn’t miss out on seeing those who are evolved and listening to the teachings of the Noble One. They train in higher ethical conduct,

an7.31:7 and their confidence in mendicants just grows and grows. They want to listen to the true teaching without a fault-finding mind.

an7.31:8 They don’t seek outside the Buddhist community for someone else worthy of religious donations, and that lay follower serves the Buddhist community first.

an7.31:9 These seven principles that prevent decline have been well taught. A lay follower who practices them doesn’t fall away from the true teaching.”

4. Angels

Respect for Diligence

an7.32:1 Then, late at night, a glorious angel, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him:

an7.32:2 “Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion, for diligence, and for hospitality. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.” That is what that angel said, and the Teacher concurred. Then that angel, knowing that the Teacher concurred, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.

an7.32:3 Then, when the night had passed, the Buddha told the mendicants all that had happened, adding:

an7.32:4 “Respect for the Teacher and the teaching, and keen respect for the Saṅgha; respect for immersion, being energetic, and keen respect for the training.

an7.32:5 A mendicant who respects diligence and hospitality can’t decline, and has drawn near to extinguishment.”

4. Angels

Respect for Conscience

an7.33:1 “Mendicants, tonight, a glorious angel, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, came to me, bowed, stood to one side, and said to me: ‘Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion, for conscience, and for prudence. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.’ That is what that angel said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.

an7.33:2 One respectful of the Teacher and the teaching, keenly respecting the Saṅgha; respecting immersion, being energetic, and keenly respecting the training;

an7.33:3 endowed with conscience and prudence, reverential and respectful— it is impossible for them to decline; they have drawn near to extinguishment.”

4. Angels

Easy to Admonish (1st)

an7.34:1 “Mendicants, tonight an angel … said to me: ‘Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion; being easy to admonish, and good friendship. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.’ That is what that angel said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.

an7.34:2 Respect for the Teacher and the teaching, and keen respect for the Saṅgha; respecting immersion, being energetic, and keen respect for the training.

an7.34:3 One with good friends, easy to admonish, reverential and respectful, can’t decline, and has drawn near to extinguishment.”

4. Angels

Easy to Admonish (2nd)

an7.35:1 “Mendicants, tonight an angel … said to me: ‘Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant. What seven? Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion; being easy to admonish, and good friendship. These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.’ That is what that angel said. Then he bowed and respectfully circled me, keeping me on his right side, before vanishing right there.”

an7.35:2 When he said this, Venerable Sāriputta said to the Buddha: “Sir, this is how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement. It’s when a mendicant personally respects the Teacher and praises such respect. And they encourage other mendicants who lack such respect to respect the Teacher. And they praise other mendicants who respect the Teacher at the right time, truthfully and correctly. They personally respect the teaching … They personally respect the Saṅgha … They personally respect the training … They personally respect immersion … They are personally easy to admonish … They personally have good friends, and praise such friendship. And they encourage other mendicants who lack good friends to develop good friendship. And they praise other mendicants who have good friends at the right time, truthfully and correctly. That’s how I understand the detailed meaning of the Buddha’s brief statement.”

an7.35:3 “Good, good, Sāriputta! It’s good that you understand the detailed meaning of what I’ve said in brief like this. It’s when a mendicant personally respects the Teacher … And they encourage other mendicants who lack such respect to respect the Teacher. And they praise other mendicants who respect the Teacher at the right time, truthfully and correctly. They personally respect the teaching … They personally respect the Saṅgha … They personally respect the training … They personally respect immersion … They are personally easy to admonish … They personally have good friends, and praise such friendship. And they encourage other mendicants who lack good friends to develop good friendship. And they praise other mendicants who have good friends at the right time, truthfully and correctly. This is how to see the detailed meaning of what I said in brief.”

4. Angels

A Friend (1st)

an7.36:1 “Mendicants, you should associate with a friend who has seven factors. What seven? They give what is hard to give. They do what is hard to do. They endure what is hard to endure. They reveal their secrets to you. They keep your secrets. They don’t abandon you in times of trouble. They don’t look down on you in times of loss. You should associate with a friend who has these seven factors.

an7.36:2 A friend gives what is hard to give, and does what’s hard to do. They put up with your harsh words, and with things hard to endure.

an7.36:3 They tell you their secrets, and keep your secrets for you. They don’t abandon you in times of trouble, or look down on you in times of loss.

an7.36:4 The individual in whom these things are found is your friend. If you want to have a friend, you should keep company with that sort.”

4. Angels

A Friend (2nd)

an7.37:1 “Mendicants, when a friend has seven qualities you should associate with, accompany, and attend them, even if they drive you away. What seven? They’re liked, agreeable, respected, and admired. They admonish you and they accept admonishment. They speak on deep matters. And they don’t urge you to do bad things. When a friend has these seven qualities you should associate with, accompany, and attend them, even if they drive you away.

an7.37:2 They’re liked, respected, and admired, an admonisher who accepts admonishment, speaks on deep matters, and doesn’t urge you to do bad.

an7.37:3 The individual in whom these things are found is your friend. If you want to have a friend, benevolent and sympathetic, then even if they chase you away, you should keep company with that sort.”

4. Angels

Textual Analysis (1st)

an7.38:1 “Mendicants, a mendicant with seven qualities will soon realize the four kinds of textual analysis and live having achieved them with their own insight. What seven? It’s when a mendicant truly understands: ‘This is mental sluggishness’. They truly understand internally constricted mind as ‘internally constricted mind’. They truly understand externally scattered mind as ‘externally scattered mind’. They know feelings as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away. They know perceptions as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away. They know thoughts as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away. The patterns of qualities—suitable or unsuitable, inferior or superior, or those with a portion of dark or bright—are properly grasped, focused on, borne in mind, and penetrated with wisdom. A mendicant with these seven qualities will soon realize the four kinds of textual analysis and live having achieved them with their own insight.”

4. Angels

Textual Analysis (2nd)

an7.39:1 “Mendicants, having seven qualities, Sāriputta realized the four kinds of textual analysis and lives having achieved them with his own insight. What seven? It’s when Sāriputta truly understood: ‘This is mental sluggishness’. He truly understood internally constricted mind as ‘internally constricted mind’. He truly understood externally scattered mind as ‘externally scattered mind’. He knew feelings, perceptions, and thoughts as they arose, as they remained, and as they went away. The patterns of qualities—suitable or unsuitable, inferior or superior, or those with a portion of dark or bright—were properly grasped, focused on, borne in mind, and penetrated with wisdom. Having these seven qualities, Sāriputta realized the four kinds of textual analysis and lives having achieved them with his own insight.”

4. Angels

Mastery of the Mind (1st)

an7.40:1 “Mendicants, a mendicant with seven qualities masters their mind and is not mastered by it. What seven? It’s when a mendicant is skilled at immersion, skilled in entering immersion, skilled in remaining in immersion, skilled in emerging from immersion, skilled in positivity for immersion, skilled in the territory of immersion, and skilled in projecting the mind purified by immersion. A mendicant with these seven qualities masters their mind and is not mastered by it.”

4. Angels

Mastery of the Mind (2nd)

an7.41:1 “Mendicants, having seven qualities Sāriputta has mastered his mind and is not mastered by it. What seven? Sāriputta is skilled at immersion, skilled in entering immersion, skilled in remaining in immersion, skilled in emerging from immersion, skilled in positivity for immersion, skilled in the territory of immersion, and skilled in projecting the mind purified by immersion. Having these seven qualities Sāriputta has mastered his mind and is not mastered by it.”

4. Angels

Graduation (1st)

an7.42:1 Then Venerable Sāriputta robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Sāvatthī for alms. Then it occurred to him, “It’s too early to wander for alms in Sāvatthī. Why don’t I visit the monastery for the wanderers of other religions?” Then he went to the monastery for the wanderers of other religions and exchanged greetings with the wanderers there. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side. Now at that time while those wanderers of other religions were sitting together this discussion came up among them, “Reverends, anyone who lives the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’.”

an7.42:2 Sāriputta neither approved nor rejected that statement of the wanderers of other religions. He rose from his seat, thinking, “I will learn the meaning of this statement from the Buddha himself.” Then Sāriputta wandered for alms in Sāvatthī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened, adding:

an7.42:3 “Sir, in this teaching and training can we describe a mendicant as a ‘graduate’ solely because they have completed a certain number of years?”

an7.42:4 “No, Sāriputta, we cannot. I make known these seven qualifications for graduation after realizing them with my own insight.

an7.42:5 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 that I make known after realizing them with my own insight. A mendicant who has these seven qualifications for graduation is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’. This is so whether they have lived the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years, twenty-four years, thirty-six years, or forty-eight years.”

4. Angels

Graduation (2nd)

an7.43:1 So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Kosambī in Ghosita’s monastery. Then Venerable Ānanda robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Kosambī for alms. Then it occurred to him, “It’s too early to wander for alms in Kosambī. Why don’t I visit the monastery for the wanderers of other religions?” Then he went to the monastery for the wanderers of other religions and exchanged greetings with the wanderers there. When the greetings and polite conversation were over, he sat down to one side.

an7.43:2 Now at that time while those wanderers of other religions were sitting together this discussion came up among them, “Reverends, anyone who lives the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’.”

an7.43:3 Ānanda neither approved nor rejected that statement of the wanderers of other religions. He rose from his seat, thinking, “I will learn the meaning of this statement from the Buddha himself.” Then Ānanda wandered for alms in Kosambī. After the meal, on his return from almsround, he went to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and told him what had happened, adding:

an7.43:5 “Sir, in this teaching and training can we describe a mendicant as a ‘graduate’ solely because they have completed a certain number of years?”

an7.43:6 “No, Ānanda, we cannot. These are the seven qualifications for graduation that I make known after realizing them with my own insight.

an7.43:7 What seven? It’s when someone is faithful, conscientious, prudent, learned, energetic, mindful, and wise. These are the seven qualifications for graduation that I make known after realizing them with my own insight. A mendicant who possesses these seven qualifications for graduation is qualified to be called a ‘graduate mendicant’. This is so whether they have lived the full and pure spiritual life for twelve years, twenty-four years, thirty-six years, or forty-eight years.”

5. A Great Sacrifice

Planes of Consciousness

an7.44:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven planes of consciousness. What seven? There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and diverse in perception, such as human beings, some angels, and some beings in hell. This is the first plane of consciousness.

an7.44:2 There are sentient beings that are diverse in body and unified in perception, such as the angels raised to the first host through the first absorption. This is the second plane of consciousness.

an7.44:3 There are sentient beings that are unified in body and diverse in perception, such as the angels of sublime luminosity. This is the third plane of consciousness.

an7.44:4 There are sentient beings that are unified in body and unified in perception, such as the angels of universal beauty. This is the fourth plane of consciousness.

an7.44:5 There are sentient beings that have gone totally beyond perceptions of form. With the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, they have attained the dimension of infinite space. This is the fifth plane of consciousness.

an7.44:6 There are sentient beings that have gone totally beyond the dimension of infinite space. Aware that ‘consciousness is infinite’, they have attained the dimension of infinite consciousness. This is the sixth plane of consciousness.

an7.44:7 There are sentient beings that have gone totally beyond the dimension of infinite consciousness. Aware that ‘there is nothing at all’, they have attained the dimension of nothingness. This is the seventh plane of consciousness.

an7.44:8 These are the seven planes of consciousness.”

5. A Great Sacrifice

Prerequisites for Immersion

an7.45:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven prerequisites for immersion. What seven? Right view, right purpose, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, and right mindfulness. Unification of mind with these seven factors as prerequisites is what is called noble right immersion ‘with its vital conditions’ and also ‘with its prerequisites’.”

5. A Great Sacrifice

Fires (1st)

an7.46:1 “Mendicants, there are these seven fires. What seven? The fires of greed, hate, delusion. The fire of those worthy of offerings made for God's sake. A householder’s fire. The fire of those worthy of a charitable donation. And a wood fire. These are the seven fires.”

5. A Great Sacrifice

Fires (2nd)

an7.47:1 Now at that time the brahmin Uggatasarīra had prepared a large sacrifice. Bulls, bullocks, heifers, goats and rams—five hundred of each—had been led to the post for the sacrifice. Then the brahmin Uggatasarīra went up 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,

an7.47:2 “Worthy Gotama, I have heard that kindling the sacrificial fire and raising the sacrificial post is very fruitful and beneficial.” “I’ve also heard this, brahmin.” For a second time … and third time Uggatasarīra said to the Buddha, “Worthy Gotama, I have heard that kindling the sacrificial fire and raising the sacrificial post is very fruitful and beneficial.” “I’ve also heard this, brahmin.” “Then the worthy Gotama and I are in total agreement in this matter.”