The Buddha describes the three individuals—one with upside-down wisdom, one with wisdom on their lap, and one with widespread wisdom, and who is the individual with upside-down wisdom?, and it’s an individual who often goes to the monastery to hear the teaching in the presence of the mendicants.

AN 3.30 Upside-down -

“Tayome, bhikkhave, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ. Katame tayo? Avakujjapañño puggalo, ucchaṅgapañño puggalo, puthupañño puggalo.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, avakujjapañño puggalo? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya. Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti. So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti; vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kumbho nikujjo tatra udakaṁ āsittaṁ vivaṭṭati, no saṇṭhāti; evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya. Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti. So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti; vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, avakujjapañño puggalo.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, ucchaṅgapañño puggalo? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya. Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti. So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti; vuṭṭhito ca kho tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, purisassa ucchaṅge nānākhajjakāni ākiṇṇāni tilā taṇḍulā modakā badarā. So tamhā āsanā vuṭṭhahanto satisammosā pakireyya. Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya. Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti. So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti; vuṭṭhito ca kho tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ucchaṅgapañño puggalo.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puthupañño puggalo? Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya. Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti. So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti; vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti. Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kumbho ukkujjo tatra udakaṁ āsittaṁ saṇṭhāti no vivaṭṭati; evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya. Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti. So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti; vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puthupañño puggalo.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasminti.

Avakujjapañño puriso,
dummedho avicakkhaṇo;
Abhikkhaṇampi ce hoti,
gantā bhikkhūna santike.

Ādiṁ kathāya majjhañca,
pariyosānañca tādiso;
Uggahetuṁ na sakkoti,
paññā hissa na vijjati.

Ucchaṅgapañño puriso,
seyyo etena vuccati;
Abhikkhaṇampi ce hoti,
gantā bhikkhūna santike.

Ādiṁ kathāya majjhañca,
pariyosānañca tādiso;
Nisinno āsane tasmiṁ,
uggahetvāna byañjanaṁ;
Vuṭṭhito nappajānāti,
gahitaṁ hissa mussati.

Puthupañño ca puriso,
seyyo etehi vuccati;
Abhikkhaṇampi ce hoti,
gantā bhikkhūna santike.

Ādiṁ kathāya majjhañca,
pariyosānañca tādiso;
Nisinno āsane tasmiṁ,
uggahetvāna byañjanaṁ.

Dhāreti seṭṭhasaṅkappo,
Abyaggamānaso naro;
Dhammānudhammappaṭipanno,
Dukkhassantakaro siyā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Puggalavaggo tatiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Samiddha gilāna saṅkhārā,
bahukārā vajirena ca;
Sevi jiguccha gūthabhāṇī,
andho ca avakujjatāti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tayome, bhikkhave, puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasmiṁ.

“These three individuals are found in the world.

Katame tayo?

What three?

Avakujjapañño puggalo, ucchaṅgapañño puggalo, puthupañño puggalo.

One with upside-down wisdom, one with wisdom on their lap, and one with widespread wisdom.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, avakujjapañño puggalo?

And who is the individual with upside-down wisdom?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya.

It’s an individual who often goes to the monastery to hear the teaching in the presence of the mendicants.

Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti.

The mendicants teach them Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And they reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.

So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti;

But even while sitting there, that person doesn’t apply the mind to the beginning, middle, or end of the discussion.

vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti.

And when they get up from their seat, they don’t apply the mind to the beginning, middle, or end of the discussion.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kumbho nikujjo tatra udakaṁ āsittaṁ vivaṭṭati, no saṇṭhāti;

It’s like when a pot full of water is tipped over, so the water drains out and doesn’t stay.

evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya.

In the same way, an individual often goes to the monastery to hear the teaching in the presence of the mendicants.

Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti.

The mendicants teach them Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And they reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.

So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti;

But even while sitting there, that person doesn’t apply the mind to the discussion in the beginning, middle, or end.

vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti.

And when they get up from their seat, they don’t apply the mind to the beginning, middle, or end of the discussion.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, avakujjapañño puggalo.

This is called an individual with upside-down wisdom.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, ucchaṅgapañño puggalo?

And who is the individual with wisdom on their lap?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya.

It’s an individual who often goes to the monastery to hear the teaching in the presence of the mendicants.

Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti.

The mendicants teach them Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And they reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.

So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti;

While sitting there, that person applies the mind to the discussion in the beginning, middle, and end.

vuṭṭhito ca kho tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti.

But when they get up from their seat, they don’t apply the mind to the beginning, middle, or end of the discussion.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, purisassa ucchaṅge nānākhajjakāni ākiṇṇāni

It’s like a person who has different kinds of food crammed on their lap—

tilā taṇḍulā modakā badarā.

such as sesame, rice, sweets, or jujube—

So tamhā āsanā vuṭṭhahanto satisammosā pakireyya.

so that if they get up from the seat without mindfulness, everything gets scattered.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya.

In the same way, an individual often goes to the monastery to hear the teaching in the presence of the mendicants.

Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti.

The mendicants teach them Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And they reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.

So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti;

While sitting there, that person applies the mind to the discussion in the beginning, middle, and end.

vuṭṭhito ca kho tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya neva ādiṁ manasi karoti, na majjhaṁ manasi karoti, na pariyosānaṁ manasi karoti.

But when they get up from their seat, they don’t apply the mind to the beginning, middle, or end of the discussion.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ucchaṅgapañño puggalo.

This is called an individual with wisdom on their lap.

Katamo ca, bhikkhave, puthupañño puggalo?

And who is the individual with widespread wisdom?

Idha, bhikkhave, ekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya.

It’s an individual who often goes to the monastery to hear the teaching in the presence of the mendicants.

Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti.

The mendicants teach them Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And they reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.

So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti;

While sitting there, they apply the mind to the discussion in the beginning, middle, and end.

vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti.

And when they get up from their seat, they continue to apply the mind to the beginning, middle, or end of the discussion.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kumbho ukkujjo tatra udakaṁ āsittaṁ saṇṭhāti no vivaṭṭati;

It’s like when a pot full of water is set straight, so the water stays and doesn’t drain out.

evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco puggalo ārāmaṁ gantā hoti abhikkhaṇaṁ bhikkhūnaṁ santike dhammassavanāya.

In the same way, an individual often goes to the monastery to hear the teaching in the presence of the mendicants.

Tassa bhikkhū dhammaṁ desenti ādikalyāṇaṁ majjhekalyāṇaṁ pariyosānakalyāṇaṁ sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ, kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ pakāsenti.

The mendicants teach them Dhamma that’s good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased. And they reveal a spiritual practice that’s entirely full and pure.

So tasmiṁ āsane nisinno tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti;

While sitting there, they apply the mind to the discussion in the beginning, middle, and end.

vuṭṭhitopi tamhā āsanā tassā kathāya ādimpi manasi karoti, majjhampi manasi karoti, pariyosānampi manasi karoti.

And when they get up from their seat, they continue to apply the mind to the beginning, middle, or end of the discussion.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, puthupañño puggalo.

This is called an individual with widespread wisdom.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo puggalā santo saṁvijjamānā lokasminti.

These are the three individuals found in the world.

Avakujjapañño puriso,

A person with upside-down wisdom,

dummedho avicakkhaṇo;

is a simpleton and cannot see,

Abhikkhaṇampi ce hoti,

and even if they frequently

gantā bhikkhūna santike.

go into the mendicants’ presence,

Ādiṁ kathāya majjhañca,

such a person can’t learn

pariyosānañca tādiso;

the beginning, middle, or end

Uggahetuṁ na sakkoti,

of the discussion,

paññā hissa na vijjati.

for their wisdom is lacking.

Ucchaṅgapañño puriso,

the individual with wisdom on their lap

seyyo etena vuccati;

is better than that, it’s said;

Abhikkhaṇampi ce hoti,

but even if they frequently

gantā bhikkhūna santike.

go into the mendicants’ presence,

Ādiṁ kathāya majjhañca,

such a person can only learn

pariyosānañca tādiso;

the beginning, middle, and end

Nisinno āsane tasmiṁ,

while sitting in that seat;

uggahetvāna byañjanaṁ;

but they’ve only grasped the phrasing,

Vuṭṭhito nappajānāti,

for when they get up their understanding fails,

gahitaṁ hissa mussati.

and what they’ve learned is lost.

Puthupañño ca puriso,

The person with widespread wisdom

seyyo etehi vuccati;

is better than that, it’s said;

Abhikkhaṇampi ce hoti,

and if they, too, frequently

gantā bhikkhūna santike.

go into the mendicants’ presence,

Ādiṁ kathāya majjhañca,

one such can learn

pariyosānañca tādiso;

the beginning, middle, and end

Nisinno āsane tasmiṁ,

while sitting in that seat;

uggahetvāna byañjanaṁ.

and when they’ve grasped the phrasing,

Dhāreti seṭṭhasaṅkappo,

they remember it with the best of intentions.

Abyaggamānaso naro;

That peaceful-hearted man,

Dhammānudhammappaṭipanno,

practicing in line with the teaching,

Dukkhassantakaro siyā”ti.

would make an end of suffering.”

Dasamaṁ.

Puggalavaggo tatiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Samiddha gilāna saṅkhārā,

bahukārā vajirena ca;

Sevi jiguccha gūthabhāṇī,

andho ca avakujjatāti.

Qualities:

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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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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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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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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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