The Buddha describes how wrong view leads to unwholesome qualities and suffering, while right view leads to wholesome qualities and happiness and what kind of attention fuels what kind of view.

AN 1.306-315 Dutiya vagga - The Chapter on One Thing (Second)

1.306

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā akusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā akusalā dhammā bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, micchādiṭṭhi. Micchādiṭṭhikassa, bhikkhave, anuppannā ceva akusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā ca akusalā dhammā bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see even a single thing on account of which unarisen |unwholesome::unhealthy, unskillful, unbeneficial, or karmically unprofitable [akusala]| qualities arise and arisen unwholesome qualities increase and expand as much as |wrong view::a distorted perception, an untrue view, a false belief [micchādiṭṭhi]|. For one with wrong view, unarisen unwholesome qualities arise, and arisen unwholesome qualities increase and expand.”

1.307

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā kusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā kusalā dhammā bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, sammādiṭṭhi. Sammādiṭṭhikassa, bhikkhave, anuppannā ceva kusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā ca kusalā dhammā bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see even a single thing on account of which unarisen |wholesome::healthy, beneficial, useful [kusala]| qualities arise and arisen wholesome qualities increase and expand as much as |right view::view that is in line with the Dhamma - teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [sammādiṭṭhi]|. For one with right view, unarisen wholesome qualities arise, and arisen wholesome qualities increase and expand.”

1.308

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā kusalā dhammā nuppajjanti uppannā kusalā dhammā parihāyanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, micchādiṭṭhi. Micchādiṭṭhikassa, bhikkhave, anuppannā ceva kusalā dhammā nuppajjanti uppannā ca kusalā dhammā parihāyantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see even a single thing on account of which unarisen wholesome qualities do not arise and arisen wholesome qualities decline as much as wrong view. For one with wrong view, unarisen wholesome qualities do not arise, and arisen wholesome qualities decline.”

View full text for: AN 1.306-315

Topics & Qualities:

Intentional Constructs

Intentional Constructs

Intentional constructs are intentions, volitions, and choices expressed through body, speech, and mind. These are the kamma-producing processes that ‘fabricate’ experience. It is the fourth of the five aggregates.

Also known as: volitional formations, fabrications
Pāli: saṅkhāra
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Radical attention

Radical attention

The active, deliberate steering of the mind away from habitual, automated reaction patterns. It is the wise steering of attention based on a theme of the Dhamma.

Also known as: wise steering of attention, root-level attention, attention to the structural source, contextual reflection
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
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Superficial attention

Superficial attention

The passive, automatic drifting of the mind into habitual, automated reaction patterns. It is the unskillful steering of attention based on the enticing or repulsive surface features of an object.

Also known as: unwise steering of attention, content-bound reflection
Pāli: ayonisomanasikāra
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on July 28, 2026