The Buddha teaches on with mahānāma (2nd), presenting a elevenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 11.12 With Mahānāma (2nd)

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme. Tena kho pana samayena mahānāmo sakko gilānā vuṭṭhito hoti aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā. Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti: “niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī”ti.

Assosi kho mahānāmo sakko: “sambahulā kira bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti: ‘niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’”ti. Atha kho mahānāmo sakko yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho mahānāmo sakko bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante: ‘sambahulā kira bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti. Tesaṁ no, bhante, nānāvihārehi viharataṁ kenassa vihārena vihātabban”ti?

“Sādhu sādhu, mahānāma. Etaṁ kho, mahānāma, tumhākaṁ patirūpaṁ kulaputtānaṁ yaṁ tumhe tathāgataṁ upasaṅkamitvā puccheyyātha: ‘tesaṁ no, bhante, nānāvihārehi viharataṁ kenassa vihārena vihātabban’ti? Saddho kho, mahānāma, ārādhako hoti, no assaddho; āraddhavīriyo ārādhako hoti, no kusīto; upaṭṭhitassati ārādhako hoti, no muṭṭhassati; samāhito ārādhako hoti, no asamāhito; paññavā ārādhako hoti, no duppañño. Imesu kho tvaṁ, mahānāma, pañcasu dhammesu patiṭṭhāya cha dhamme uttari bhāveyyāsi.

Idha tvaṁ, mahānāma, tathāgataṁ anussareyyāsi: ‘itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. Yasmiṁ, mahānāma, samaye ariyasāvako tathāgataṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti; ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti tathāgataṁ ārabbha. Ujugatacitto kho pana, mahānāma, ariyasāvako labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ. Pamuditassa pīti jāyati, pītimanassa kāyo passambhati, passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vediyati, sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati. Imaṁ kho tvaṁ, mahānāma, buddhānussatiṁ gacchantopi bhāveyyāsi, ṭhitopi bhāveyyāsi, nisinnopi bhāveyyāsi, sayānopi bhāveyyāsi, kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhahantopi bhāveyyāsi, puttasambādhasayanaṁ ajjhāvasantopi bhāveyyāsi.

Puna caparaṁ tvaṁ, mahānāma, dhammaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe… saṅghaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe… attano sīlaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe… attano cāgaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe… devatā anussareyyāsi: ‘santi devā cātumahārājikā …pe… santi devā tatuttari. Yathārūpāya saddhāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tatthūpapannā, mayhampi tathārūpā saddhā saṁvijjati. Yathārūpena sīlenasutenacāgenapaññāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tatthūpapannā, mayhampi tathārūpā paññā saṁvijjatī’ti. Yasmiṁ, mahānāma, samaye ariyasāvako attano ca tāsañca devatānaṁ saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti; ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti devatā ārabbha. Ujugatacitto kho pana, mahānāma, ariyasāvako labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ. Pamuditassa pīti jāyati, pītimanassa kāyo passambhati, passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vediyati, sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati. Imaṁ kho tvaṁ, mahānāma, devatānussatiṁ gacchantopi bhāveyyāsi, ṭhitopi bhāveyyāsi, nisinnopi bhāveyyāsi, sayānopi bhāveyyāsi, kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhahantopi bhāveyyāsi, puttasambādhasayanaṁ ajjhāvasantopi bhāveyyāsī”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sakkesu viharati kapilavatthusmiṁ nigrodhārāme.

At one time the Buddha was staying in the land of the Sakyans, near Kapilavatthu in the Banyan Tree Monastery.

Tena kho pana samayena mahānāmo sakko gilānā vuṭṭhito hoti aciravuṭṭhito gelaññā.

Now at that time Mahānāma the Sakyan had recently recovered from an illness.

Tena kho pana samayena sambahulā bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti:

At that time several mendicants were making a robe for the Buddha …

“niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī”ti.

Assosi kho mahānāmo sakko:

Mahānāma the Sakyan heard about this.

“sambahulā kira bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti:

‘niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’”ti.

Atha kho mahānāmo sakko yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. Ekamantaṁ nisinno kho mahānāmo sakko bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

He went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

“sutaṁ metaṁ, bhante:

“Sir, I have heard that

‘sambahulā kira bhikkhū bhagavato cīvarakammaṁ karonti

several mendicants are making a robe for the Buddha, thinking that

niṭṭhitacīvaro bhagavā temāsaccayena cārikaṁ pakkamissatī’ti.

when his robe was finished and the three months of the rains residence had passed the Buddha would set out wandering.

Tesaṁ no, bhante, nānāvihārehi viharataṁ kenassa vihārena vihātabban”ti?

Now, we spend our life in various ways. Which of these should we practice?”

“Sādhu sādhu, mahānāma.

“Good, good, Mahānāma!

Etaṁ kho, mahānāma, tumhākaṁ patirūpaṁ kulaputtānaṁ yaṁ tumhe tathāgataṁ upasaṅkamitvā puccheyyātha:

It’s appropriate that gentlemen such as you come to me and ask:

‘tesaṁ no, bhante, nānāvihārehi viharataṁ kenassa vihārena vihātabban’ti?

‘We spend our life in various ways. Which of these should we practice?’

Saddho kho, mahānāma, ārādhako hoti, no assaddho;

The faithful succeed, not the faithless.

āraddhavīriyo ārādhako hoti, no kusīto;

The energetic succeed, not the lazy.

upaṭṭhitassati ārādhako hoti, no muṭṭhassati;

The mindful succeed, not the unmindful.

samāhito ārādhako hoti, no asamāhito;

Those with immersion succeed, not those without immersion.

paññavā ārādhako hoti, no duppañño.

The wise succeed, not the witless.

Imesu kho tvaṁ, mahānāma, pañcasu dhammesu patiṭṭhāya cha dhamme uttari bhāveyyāsi.

When you’re grounded on these five things, go on to develop six further things.

Idha tvaṁ, mahānāma, tathāgataṁ anussareyyāsi:

Firstly, you should recollect the Realized One:

‘itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’

Yasmiṁ, mahānāma, samaye ariyasāvako tathāgataṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti;

When a noble disciple recollects the Realized One their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion.

ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti tathāgataṁ ārabbha.

At that time their mind is quite unswerving, based on the Realized One.

Ujugatacitto kho pana, mahānāma, ariyasāvako labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ.

A noble disciple whose mind is unswerving finds inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds joy connected with the teaching.

Pamuditassa pīti jāyati, pītimanassa kāyo passambhati, passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vediyati, sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati.

When they’re joyful, rapture springs up. When the mind is full of rapture, the body becomes tranquil. When the body is tranquil, they feel bliss. And when they’re blissful, the mind becomes immersed in samādhi.

Imaṁ kho tvaṁ, mahānāma, buddhānussatiṁ gacchantopi bhāveyyāsi, ṭhitopi bhāveyyāsi, nisinnopi bhāveyyāsi, sayānopi bhāveyyāsi, kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhahantopi bhāveyyāsi, puttasambādhasayanaṁ ajjhāvasantopi bhāveyyāsi.

You should develop this recollection of the Buddha while walking, standing, sitting, lying down, while working, and while at home with your children.

Puna caparaṁ tvaṁ, mahānāma, dhammaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe…

Furthermore, you should recollect the teaching …

saṅghaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe…

the Saṅgha …

attano sīlaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe…

your own ethical conduct …

attano cāgaṁ anussareyyāsi …pe…

your own generosity …

devatā anussareyyāsi:

the deities …

‘santi devā cātumahārājikā …pe… santi devā tatuttari.

Yathārūpāya saddhāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tatthūpapannā, mayhampi tathārūpā saddhā saṁvijjati.

Yathārūpena sīlena

sutena

cāgena

paññāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tatthūpapannā, mayhampi tathārūpā paññā saṁvijjatī’ti.

Yasmiṁ, mahānāma, samaye ariyasāvako attano ca tāsañca devatānaṁ saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti;

When a noble disciple recollects the faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom of both themselves and the deities their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion.

ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti devatā ārabbha.

At that time their mind is quite unswerving, based on the deities.

Ujugatacitto kho pana, mahānāma, ariyasāvako labhati atthavedaṁ, labhati dhammavedaṁ, labhati dhammūpasaṁhitaṁ pāmojjaṁ.

A noble disciple whose mind is unswerving finds inspiration in the meaning and the teaching, and finds joy connected with the teaching.

Pamuditassa pīti jāyati, pītimanassa kāyo passambhati, passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vediyati, sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati.

When they’re joyful, rapture springs up. When the mind is full of rapture, the body becomes tranquil. When the body is tranquil, they feel bliss. And when they’re blissful, the mind becomes immersed in samādhi.

Imaṁ kho tvaṁ, mahānāma, devatānussatiṁ gacchantopi bhāveyyāsi, ṭhitopi bhāveyyāsi, nisinnopi bhāveyyāsi, sayānopi bhāveyyāsi, kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhahantopi bhāveyyāsi, puttasambādhasayanaṁ ajjhāvasantopi bhāveyyāsī”ti.

You should develop this recollection of the deities while walking, standing, sitting, lying down, while working, and while at home with your children.”

Dutiyaṁ.

Qualities:

Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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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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Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
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Inspiration

Inspiration

A mental quality characterized by a sudden burst of creative insight or understanding, often leading to innovative ideas or solutions.

Also known as: eloquence, intuition, ingenuity, wit, creativity
Pāli: paṭibhāna
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Joy

Joy

A fresh and mild happiness arising from a sense of spiritual well-being and a clear conscience

Also known as: cheerfulness, gladness, wellbeing
Pāli: pāmojja, somanassa
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Uplifting joy

Uplifting joy

An energetic mental quality that creates a sense of lift or thrill; it ranges from a gentle delight to overwhelming rapture.

Also known as: heartfelt joy, mental exhilaration, rapture, lit. refreshment
Pāli: pīti
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Last updated on July 27, 2026