With wrong view, all actions lead to suffering. With right view, all actions lead to happiness. The Buddha explains this with an example of seeds.

AN 10.104  Bīja sutta - Seeds

“Micchādiṭṭhikassa, bhikkhave, purisapuggalassa micchāsaṅkappassa micchāvācassa micchākammantassa micchāājīvassa micchāvāyāmassa micchāsatissa micchāsamādhissa micchāñāṇissa micchāvimuttissa yañca kāyakammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ yañca vacīkammaṁ yañca manokammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ ca cetanā ca patthanā yo ca paṇidhi ye ca saṅkhārā, sabbe te dhammā aniṭṭhāya akantāya amanāpāya ahitāya dukkhāya saṁvattanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Diṭṭhi hissa, bhikkhave, pāpikā.

Bhikkhus, for a person with |wrong view::a distorted perception, an untrue view, a false belief [micchādiṭṭhi]|, his |wrong intention::wrong notion, wrong idea [micchāsaṅkappa]|, |wrong speech::speech that is false, divisive, harsh, or frivolous; communication rooted in deceit, hostility, or heedlessness [micchāvācā]|, |wrong action::bodily conduct that causes harm—acts of killing, stealing, or sexual misconduct; behavior contrary to harmlessness and restraint [micchākammanta]|, |wrong livelihood::earning a living or seeking support through deceitful or manipulative means—by cheating, flattery, hinting, disparaging others, or scheming for gain [micchāājīva]|, |wrong effort::striving that generates or maintains unwholesome states while neglecting wholesome ones [micchāvāyāma]|, |wrong mindfulness::imperfect memory, misinformed recollection that reinforces delusion or distraction [micchāsati]|, |wrong collectedness::wrong concentration that can cause harm to oneself, destabilize the mind, or lead to furthering of delusion [micchāsamādhi]|, |wrong knowledge::understanding based on delusion, that which fuels further confusion and doubt [micchāñāṇa]|, and |false liberation::a temporary or deluded sense of freedom where craving, passion and aversion re-appear [micchāvimutti]|, as well as any bodily actions undertaken in accordance with his view, any verbal actions, any mental actions undertaken in accordance with his view, all intentions, desires, aspirations, and formations, all those phenomena lead to what is undesirable, unwanted, unpleasant, unbeneficial, and suffering. What is the reason for this? Because, bhikkhus, his view is corrupted.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, nimbabījaṁ kosātakibījaṁ tittakālābubījaṁ allāya pathaviyā nikkhittaṁ yañceva pathavirasaṁ upādiyati yañca āporasaṁ upādiyati, sabbaṁ taṁ tittakattāya kaṭukattāya asātattāya saṁvattati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Bījañhi, bhikkhave, pāpakaṁ. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, micchādiṭṭhikassa purisapuggalassa micchāsaṅkappassa micchāvācassa micchākammantassa micchāājīvassa micchāvāyāmassa micchāsatissa micchāsamādhissa micchāñāṇissa micchāvimuttissa yañceva kāyakammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ yañca vacīkammaṁyañca manokammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ ca cetanā ca patthanā yo ca paṇidhi ye ca saṅkhārā, sabbe te dhammā aniṭṭhāya akantāya amanāpāya ahitāya dukkhāya saṁvattanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Diṭṭhi hissa, bhikkhave, pāpikā.

Just as, bhikkhus, if a neem seed, a bitter gourd seed, or a bitter cucumber seed is planted in moist soil, whatever nutrients it absorbs from the soil and water, all of that will result in bitterness, acridness, and unpleasantness. What is the reason for this? Because, bhikkhus, the seed is corrupted. Similarly, bhikkhus, for a person with wrong view, his wrong intention, wrong speech, wrong action, wrong livelihood, wrong effort, wrong mindfulness, wrong collectedness, wrong wisdom, and false liberation, as well as any bodily actions undertaken in accordance with his view, any verbal actions, any mental actions undertaken in accordance with his view, all intentions, desires, aspirations, and formations, all those phenomena lead to what is undesirable, unwanted, unpleasant, unbeneficial, and suffering. What is the reason for this? Because, bhikkhus, his view is corrupted.

Sammādiṭṭhikassa, bhikkhave, purisapuggalassa sammāsaṅkappassa sammāvācassa sammākammantassa sammāājīvassa sammāvāyāmassa sammāsatissa sammāsamādhissa sammāñāṇissa sammāvimuttissa yañceva kāyakammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ yañca vacīkammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ yañca manokammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ ca cetanā ca patthanā yo ca paṇidhi ye ca saṅkhārā, sabbe te dhammā iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Diṭṭhi hissa, bhikkhave, bhaddikā.

Bhikkhus, for a person with |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]|, his |right intention::intention of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness; the resolve to let go of craving, ill will, and cruelty, cultivating thoughts that lead to peace and liberation [sammāsaṅkappa]|, |right speech::speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter [sammāvācā]|, |right action::action that upholds ethical integrity by abstaining from killing, stealing, and sexual misconduct; bodily conduct aligned with harmlessness and honesty [sammākammanta]|, |right livelihood::means of living that does not cause harm to others or oneself; earning a living ethically without deceit, exploitation, or violence [sammāājīva]|, |right effort::energy and effort directed toward abandoning unwholesome mental states and qualities, and cultivating wholesome ones [sammāvāyāma]|, |right mindfulness::perfect memory of the Dhamma; correct recollection of the exact instructions to guide one’s practice [sammāsati]|, |right collectedness::correct mental composure that stabilizes the mind and supports clarity of thoughts [sammāsamādhi]|, |right knowledge::perfect understanding [sammāñāṇa]|, and right liberation, as well as any bodily actions undertaken in accordance with his view, any verbal actions, any mental actions undertaken in accordance with his view, all intentions, desires, aspirations, and formations, all those phenomena lead to what is desirable, wanted, pleasant, beneficial, and happiness. What is the reason for this? Because, bhikkhus, his view is good.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, ucchubījaṁ sālibījaṁ muddikābījaṁ allāya pathaviyā nikkhittaṁ yañca pathavirasaṁ upādiyati yañca āporasaṁ upādiyati sabbaṁ taṁ sātattāya madhurattāya asecanakattāya saṁvattati. Taṁ kissa hetu? Bījañhi, bhikkhave, bhaddakaṁ. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, sammādiṭṭhikassa …pe… sammāvimuttissa yañceva kāyakammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ yañca vacīkammaṁyañca manokammaṁ yathādiṭṭhi samattaṁ samādinnaṁ ca cetanā ca patthanā yo ca paṇidhi ye ca saṅkhārā, sabbe te dhammā iṭṭhāya kantāya manāpāya hitāya sukhāya saṁvattanti. Taṁ kissa hetu? Diṭṭhi hissa, bhikkhave, bhaddikā”ti.

Just as, bhikkhus, if a sugarcane seed, a rice seed, or a grape seed is planted in moist soil, whatever nutrients it absorbs from the soil and water, all of that will result in sweetness, pleasantness, and tastiness. What is the reason for this? Because, bhikkhus, the seed is good. Similarly, bhikkhus, for a person with right view, his right intention, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, right collectedness, right wisdom, and true liberation, as well as any bodily actions undertaken in accordance with his view, any verbal actions, any mental actions undertaken in accordance with his view, all intentions, desires, aspirations, and formations, all those phenomena lead to what is desirable, wanted, pleasant, beneficial, and happiness. What is the reason for this? Because, bhikkhus, his view is good.”

Topics & Qualities:

Delusion

Delusion

A fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt.

Also known as: illusion, hallucination, misapprehension, distorted view
Pāli: moha, micchāñāṇa
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Jhana

Jhana

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: absorption, concentration, collectedness, mental composure, stability of mind, undistracted awareness
Pāli: jhāna, samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Liberation

Liberation

Liberation can imply a temporary release of the mind, i.e. liberated from certain unwholesome mental qualities or complete liberation from all unwholesome qualities of the mind, i.e. Nibbāna.

Also known as: freedom, release, emancipation, deliverance
Pāli: vimutti, vimokkha, cetovimutti, paññāvimutti, akuppā cetovimutti
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Remembering to be present with continuous effort, observing the body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities in and of themselves.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anupassanā
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Right effort

Right effort

Energy and resolve directed toward preventing unwholesome states from arising, abandoning arisen unwholesome states, cultivating wholesome states, and maintaining arisen wholesome states; persistent application of the mind aligned with the path.

Also known as: right endeavor, right striving
Pāli: sammāvāyāma
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Right intention

Right intention

Intention of renunciation, goodwill, or harmlessness; the resolve to let go of craving, ill will, and cruelty, cultivating thoughts that lead to peace and liberation.

Also known as: correct resolve, wholesome thought, skillful aspiration, right volition
Pāli: sammāsaṅkappa
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Right livelihood

Right livelihood

Means of living that does not cause harm to others or oneself; earning a living ethically without deceit, exploitation, or violence.

Also known as: correct livelihood, right mode of earning a living
Pāli: sammāājīva
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Right speech

Right speech

Speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter.

Also known as: truthful speech, honest speech, kind speech, beneficial speech, harmonious speech, articulate words, eloquent communication
Pāli: sammāvācā
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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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Unprincipled conduct

Unprincipled conduct

Conduct that disregards moral restraint and ignores the consequences of harm done to oneself or others through body or speech. Such behavior clouds the mind and leads to regret and further decline.

Also known as: lacking in moral principles, lacking in ethics, immoral, wrong action
Pāli: dussīlya, micchākammanta
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, vijjā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Wrong collectedness

Wrong collectedness

A concentration that steadies the mind upon unwholesome aims—power, sensual pleasure, or self-exaltation. Though appearing calm, it is unpurified by right view or intention. Such collectedness deepens delusion instead of insight.

Also known as: wrong concentration
Pāli: micchāsamādhi
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Wrong effort

Wrong effort

Misapplied energy directed toward goals rooted in craving, aversion, or delusion. It manifests as striving for sensual pleasure, gain, fame, or domination, overwhelming the mind by feeding defilements.

Also known as: incorrect endeavor
Pāli: micchāvāyāma
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Wrong intention

Wrong intention

Intention of sensuality, ill will, or harming. It inclines thought and action toward harm and exploitation, opposing the intentions of renunciation, goodwill, and harmlessness.

Also known as: incorrect resolve, unwholesome thought, unskillful aspiration, wrong thought, harmful volition
Pāli: micchāsaṅkappa
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Wrong livelihood

Wrong livelihood

Sustaining oneself through deceit, exploitation, or manipulation for gain. It includes cheating, flattery, hinting for favors, belittling others, and pursuing gain by means of gain.

Also known as: unwholesome livelihood, wrong way of earning a living
Pāli: micchāājīva
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Wrong mindfulness

Wrong mindfulness

Remembering in the wrong way. It holds to the signs of craving and aversion, or attends carefully to what sustains delusion. Such mindfulness appears clear but lacks right view, turning awareness into a servant of defilement. It remembers what should be forgotten and forgets what should be remembered.

Pāli: micchāsati
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Wrong speech

Wrong speech

Speech that deceives, divides, wounds, or wastes. It includes lying, slander, harshness, and idle chatter. Such speech distorts truth, breaks trust, and stirs the mind toward harm and discord.

Also known as: false speech, lying, divisive, slanderous or defamatory or malicious speech, abusive or rude or unkind way of speaking, meaningless talk or idle chatter or gossip
Pāli: musāvāda, pisuṇavācā, pharusāvācā, samphappalāpa
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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 May 6, 2026