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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →
Wise attention

Wise attention

Paying attention to the point of contact where experience originates. It discerns the specific cause of the present moment, preventing the mind from drifting into proliferation.

Also known as: proper attention, prudent use of the mind, attention to the source
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
View all discourses →
Unwise attention

Unwise attention

Attention that misses the point of contact, fixating on concepts or features. Disconnected from the source of experience, it then engages in reactions of craving, aversion, and delusion.

Also known as: improper attention, imprudent use of the mind, unfocused attention
Pāli: ayonisomanasikāra
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →

Last updated on January 12, 2026