The Buddha teaches on dependence, presenting a tenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 10.35 Dependence

“Katihi nu kho, bhante, dhammehi samannāgatena bhikkhunā nissayo dātabbo”ti?

“Dasahi kho, upāli, dhammehi samannāgatena bhikkhunā nissayo dātabbo. Katamehi dasahi? Idhupāli, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti …pe… samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu; bahussuto hoti …pe… diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā; pātimokkhaṁ kho panassa vitthārena svāgataṁ hoti suvibhattaṁ suppavattaṁ suvinicchitaṁ suttaso anubyañjanaso; paṭibalo hoti gilānaṁ upaṭṭhātuṁ upaṭṭhāpetuṁ vā; paṭibalo hoti anabhiratiṁ vūpakāsetuṁ vūpakāsāpetuṁ vā; paṭibalo hoti uppannaṁ kukkuccaṁ dhammato vinodetuṁ; paṭibalo hoti uppannaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ dhammato vivecetuṁ; paṭibalo hoti adhisīle …pe… adhicitteadhipaññāya samādapetuṁ. Imehi kho, upāli, dasahi dhammehi samannāgatena bhikkhunā nissayo dātabbo”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Katihi nu kho, bhante, dhammehi samannāgatena bhikkhunā nissayo dātabbo”ti?

“Sir, how many qualities should a mendicant have to give dependence?”

“Dasahi kho, upāli, dhammehi samannāgatena bhikkhunā nissayo dātabbo.

“Upāli, a mendicant should have ten qualities to give dependence.

Katamehi dasahi?

What ten?

Idhupāli, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti …pe… samādāya sikkhati sikkhāpadesu;

It’s when a mendicant is ethical …

bahussuto hoti …pe… diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā;

They’re learned …

pātimokkhaṁ kho panassa vitthārena svāgataṁ hoti suvibhattaṁ suppavattaṁ suvinicchitaṁ suttaso anubyañjanaso;

Both monastic codes have been passed down to them in detail, well analyzed, well mastered, well evaluated in both the rules and accompanying material.

paṭibalo hoti gilānaṁ upaṭṭhātuṁ upaṭṭhāpetuṁ vā;

They’re able to care for the sick or get someone else to do so.

paṭibalo hoti anabhiratiṁ vūpakāsetuṁ vūpakāsāpetuṁ vā;

They’re able to settle dissatisfaction or get someone else to do so.

paṭibalo hoti uppannaṁ kukkuccaṁ dhammato vinodetuṁ;

They’re able to dispel remorse when it has come up.

paṭibalo hoti uppannaṁ diṭṭhigataṁ dhammato vivecetuṁ;

They’re able to rationally dissuade someone from misconceptions that come up.

paṭibalo hoti adhisīle …pe…

They’re able to encourage someone in the higher ethics,

adhicitte

the higher mind,

adhipaññāya samādapetuṁ.

and the higher wisdom.

Imehi kho, upāli, dasahi dhammehi samannāgatena bhikkhunā nissayo dātabbo”ti.

A mendicant should possess these ten qualities to give dependence.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Qualities:

Discontentment

Discontentment

A state of dissatisfaction with one's requisites or conditions. It fuels the search for more, disturbing peace and preventing the mind from settling into collectedness.

Also known as: dissatisfaction, unsatisfactoriness, boredom
Pāli: asantuṭṭhitā, aratī, atitta
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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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Learning

Learning

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Tame

Tame

The quality of a mind that has been trained and disciplined, no longer wild or controlled by passions. Like a tamed thoroughbred, it is pliable, responsive, and fit for work.

Also known as: trained, mastered, subdued
Pāli: danta, dama
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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, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026