The Buddha describes right aspirations for faithful disciples modeled on eminent followers, warns against praising the blameworthy and wrongly honoring parents or the Buddha, and teaches cleaning one's own mind and dispelling anger.

AN 2.130-140 The Chapter on Aspiration

130

“Saddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ sammā āyācamāno āyāceyya: ‘tādiso homi yādisā sāriputtamoggallānā’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ yadidaṁ sāriputtamoggallānā”ti.

131

“Saddhā, bhikkhave, bhikkhunī evaṁ sammā āyācamānā āyāceyya: ‘tādisī homi yādisī khemā ca bhikkhunī uppalavaṇṇā cā’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvikānaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ yadidaṁ khemā ca bhikkhunī uppalavaṇṇā cā”ti.

132

“Saddho, bhikkhave, upāsako evaṁ sammā āyācamāno āyāceyya: ‘tādiso homi yādiso citto ca gahapati hatthako ca āḷavako’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvakānaṁ upāsakānaṁ yadidaṁ citto ca gahapati hatthako ca āḷavako”ti.

133

“Saddhā, bhikkhave, upāsikā evaṁ sammā āyācamānā āyāceyya: ‘tādisī homi yādisī khujjuttarā ca upāsikā veḷukaṇḍakiyā ca nandamātā’ti. Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvikānaṁ upāsikānaṁ yadidaṁ khujjuttarā ca upāsikā veḷukaṇḍakiyā ca nandamātā”ti.

134

“Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati. Katamehi dvīhi? Ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati. Katamehi dvīhi? Anuvicca pariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, anuvicca pariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

135

“Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati. Katamehi dvīhi? Ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā appasādanīye ṭhāne pasādaṁ upadaṁseti, ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā pasādanīye ṭhāne appasādaṁ upadaṁseti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati. Katamehi dvīhi? Anuvicca pariyogāhetvā appasādanīye ṭhāne appasādaṁ upadaṁseti, anuvicca pariyogāhetvā pasādanīye ṭhāne pasādaṁ upadaṁseti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

136

“Dvīsu, bhikkhave, micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati. Katamesu dvīsu? Mātari ca pitari ca. Imesu kho, bhikkhave, dvīsu micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

Dvīsu, bhikkhave, sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati. Katamesu dvīsu? Mātari ca pitari ca. Imesu kho, bhikkhave, dvīsu sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

137

“Dvīsu, bhikkhave, micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati. Katamesu dvīsu? Tathāgate ca tathāgatasāvake ca. Imesu kho, bhikkhave, micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

Dvīsu, bhikkhave, sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati. Katamesu dvīsu? Tathāgate ca tathāgatasāvake ca. Imesu kho, bhikkhave, dvīsu sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

138

“Dveme, bhikkhave, dhammā. Katame dve? Sacittavodānañca na ca kiñci loke upādiyati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve dhammā”ti.

139

“Dveme, bhikkhave, dhammā. Katame dve? Kodho ca upanāho ca. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve dhammā”ti.

140

“Dveme, bhikkhave, dhammā. Katame dve? Kodhavinayo ca upanāhavinayo ca. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve dhammā”ti.

Āyācanavaggo dutiyo.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

2.130

“Saddho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu evaṁ sammā āyācamāno āyāceyya:

“A faithful monk would rightly aspire:

‘tādiso homi yādisā sāriputtamoggallānā’ti.

‘May I be like Sāriputta and Moggallāna!’

Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvakānaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ yadidaṁ sāriputtamoggallānā”ti.

These are a standard and a measure for my monk disciples, that is, Sāriputta and Moggallāna.”

2.131

“Saddhā, bhikkhave, bhikkhunī evaṁ sammā āyācamānā āyāceyya:

“A faithful nun would rightly aspire:

‘tādisī homi yādisī khemā ca bhikkhunī uppalavaṇṇā cā’ti.

‘May I be like the nuns Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā!’

Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvikānaṁ bhikkhunīnaṁ yadidaṁ khemā ca bhikkhunī uppalavaṇṇā cā”ti.

These are a standard and a measure for my nun disciples, that is, the nuns Khemā and Uppalavaṇṇā.”

2.132

“Saddho, bhikkhave, upāsako evaṁ sammā āyācamāno āyāceyya:

“A faithful layman would rightly aspire:

‘tādiso homi yādiso citto ca gahapati hatthako ca āḷavako’ti.

‘May I be like the householder Citta and Hatthaka of Āḷavī!’

Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvakānaṁ upāsakānaṁ yadidaṁ citto ca gahapati hatthako ca āḷavako”ti.

These are a standard and a measure for my male lay followers, that is, the householder Citta and Hatthaka of Āḷavī.”

2.133

“Saddhā, bhikkhave, upāsikā evaṁ sammā āyācamānā āyāceyya:

“A faithful laywoman would rightly aspire:

‘tādisī homi yādisī khujjuttarā ca upāsikā veḷukaṇḍakiyā ca nandamātā’ti.

‘May I be like the laywomen Khujjuttarā and Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother!’

Esā, bhikkhave, tulā etaṁ pamāṇaṁ mama sāvikānaṁ upāsikānaṁ yadidaṁ khujjuttarā ca upāsikā veḷukaṇḍakiyā ca nandamātā”ti.

These are a standard and a measure for my female lay disciples, that is, the laywomen Khujjuttarā and Veḷukaṇṭakī, Nanda’s mother.”

2.134

“Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati.

“When a foolish, incompetent untrue person has two qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

Katamehi dvīhi?

What two?

Ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati,

Without examining or scrutinizing, they praise those deserving of criticism

ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati.

and they criticize those deserving of praise.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

When a foolish, incompetent untrue person possesses these two qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much wickedness.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati.

When an astute, competent true person has two qualities they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.

Katamehi dvīhi?

What two?

Anuvicca pariyogāhetvā avaṇṇārahassa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati,

After examining and scrutinizing, they criticize those deserving of criticism

anuvicca pariyogāhetvā vaṇṇārahassa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati.

and they praise those deserving of praise.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

When an astute, competent true person possesses these two qualities they keep themselves healthy and whole. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much merit.”

2.135

“Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati.

“When a foolish, incompetent untrue person has two qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

Katamehi dvīhi?

What two?

Ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā appasādanīye ṭhāne pasādaṁ upadaṁseti,

Without examining or scrutinizing, they arouse faith in things that are dubious,

ananuvicca apariyogāhetvā pasādanīye ṭhāne appasādaṁ upadaṁseti.

and they don’t arouse faith in things that are inspiring.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

When a foolish, incompetent untrue person possesses these two qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much wickedness.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati.

When an astute, competent true person has two qualities they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.

Katamehi dvīhi?

What two?

Anuvicca pariyogāhetvā appasādanīye ṭhāne appasādaṁ upadaṁseti,

After examining or scrutinizing, they don’t arouse faith in things that are dubious,

anuvicca pariyogāhetvā pasādanīye ṭhāne pasādaṁ upadaṁseti.

and they do arouse faith in things that are inspiring.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

When an astute, competent true person possesses these two qualities they keep themselves healthy and whole. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much merit.”

2.136

“Dvīsu, bhikkhave, micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati.

“When a foolish, incompetent untrue person acts wrongly toward two individuals they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

Katamesu dvīsu?

What two?

Mātari ca pitari ca.

Mother and father.

Imesu kho, bhikkhave, dvīsu micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

When a foolish, incompetent untrue person acts wrongly toward these two individuals they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

Dvīsu, bhikkhave, sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati.

When an astute, competent true person acts rightly toward two individuals they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.

Katamesu dvīsu?

What two?

Mātari ca pitari ca.

Mother and father.

Imesu kho, bhikkhave, dvīsu sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

When an astute, competent true person acts rightly toward these two individuals they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.”

2.137

“Dvīsu, bhikkhave, micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavati.

“When a foolish, incompetent untrue person acts wrongly toward two individuals they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

Katamesu dvīsu?

What two?

Tathāgate ca tathāgatasāvake ca.

The Realized One and a disciple of the Realized One.

Imesu kho, bhikkhave, micchāpaṭipajjamāno bālo abyatto asappuriso khataṁ upahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, sāvajjo ca hoti sānuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca apuññaṁ pasavatīti.

When a foolish, incompetent untrue person acts wrongly toward these people they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much wickedness.

Dvīsu, bhikkhave, sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavati.

When an astute, competent true person acts rightly toward two individuals they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.

Katamesu dvīsu?

What two?

Tathāgate ca tathāgatasāvake ca.

The Realized One and a disciple of the Realized One.

Imesu kho, bhikkhave, dvīsu sammāpaṭipajjamāno paṇḍito viyatto sappuriso akkhataṁ anupahataṁ attānaṁ pariharati, anavajjo ca hoti ananuvajjo ca viññūnaṁ, bahuñca puññaṁ pasavatī”ti.

When an astute, competent true person acts rightly toward these two individuals they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don’t deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they brim with much merit.”

2.138

“Dveme, bhikkhave, dhammā.

“There are these two things.

Katame dve?

What two?

Sacittavodānañca na ca kiñci loke upādiyati.

Cleaning your own mind, and not grasping at anything in the world.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve dhammā”ti.

These are the two things.”

2.139

“Dveme, bhikkhave, dhammā.

“There are these two things.

Katame dve?

What two?

Kodho ca upanāho ca.

Anger and acrimony.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve dhammā”ti.

These are the two things.”

2.140

“Dveme, bhikkhave, dhammā.

“There are these two things.

Katame dve?

What two?

Kodhavinayo ca upanāhavinayo ca.

Dispelling anger and dispelling acrimony.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve dhammā”ti.

These are the two things.”

Āyācanavaggo dutiyo.

Topics & Qualities:

Anger

Anger

A burning surge of aversion that erupts against people or situations, scorching clarity and kindness. It distorts perception and drives speech and action toward harm.

Also known as: rage, wrath, fury, indignation
Pāli: kodha, kopa
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Investigation

Investigation

Investigation involves the process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: inquiry, contemplation, examination, analysis, exploration
Pāli: vicaya, vīmaṃsā, parikkhati
View all discourses →
Merit

Merit

Wholesome result of good conduct, generosity, and right intention. Merit brightens the mind and supports happiness and favorable conditions for practice.

Also known as: good deeds, spiritual wealth
Pāli: puñña, kalyāṇa
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026