The Buddha teaches on a shopkeeper (1st), presenting a threefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 3.19 A Shopkeeper (1st)

“Tīhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko abhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Katamehi tīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, pāpaṇiko pubbaṇhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, sāyanhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko abhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Katamehi tīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pubbaṇhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, sāyanhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

Tīhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko bhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Katamehi tīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, pāpaṇiko pubbaṇhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ …pe… sāyanhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko bhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ. Katamehi tīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pubbaṇhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ …pe… sāyanhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātun”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tīhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko abhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

“Mendicants, a shopkeeper who has three factors is unable to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth they’ve already acquired.

Katamehi tīhi?

What three?

Idha, bhikkhave, pāpaṇiko pubbaṇhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, sāyanhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti.

It’s when a shopkeeper doesn’t carefully focus on their work in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko abhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

A shopkeeper who has these three factors is unable to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth they’ve already acquired.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

In the same way, a mendicant who has three qualities is unable to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired.

Katamehi tīhi?

What three?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pubbaṇhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, sāyanhasamayaṁ na sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti.

It’s when a mendicant doesn’t carefully focus on a meditation subject as a basis of immersion in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

A mendicant who possesses these three qualities is unable to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired.

Tīhi, bhikkhave, aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko bhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

A shopkeeper who has three factors is able to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth they’ve already acquired.

Katamehi tīhi?

What three?

Idha, bhikkhave, pāpaṇiko pubbaṇhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ …pe… sāyanhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ kammantaṁ adhiṭṭhāti.

It’s when a shopkeeper carefully focuses on their work in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi aṅgehi samannāgato pāpaṇiko bhabbo anadhigataṁ bhogaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ bhogaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

A shopkeeper who has these three factors is able to acquire more wealth or to increase the wealth they’ve already acquired.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātuṁ.

In the same way, a mendicant who has three qualities is able to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired.

Katamehi tīhi?

What three?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pubbaṇhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti, majjhanhikasamayaṁ …pe… sāyanhasamayaṁ sakkaccaṁ samādhinimittaṁ adhiṭṭhāti.

It’s when a mendicant carefully focuses on a meditation subject as a basis of immersion in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo anadhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ adhigantuṁ, adhigataṁ kusalaṁ dhammaṁ phātiṁ kātun”ti.

A mendicant who possesses these three qualities is able to acquire more skillful qualities or to increase the skillful qualities they’ve already acquired.”

Navamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

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: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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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