The Buddha teaches on fields, presenting a threefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 3.83 Fields

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, kassakassa gahapatissa pubbe karaṇīyāni. Katamāni tīṇi? Idha, bhikkhave, kassako gahapati paṭikacceva khettaṁ sukaṭṭhaṁ karoti sumatikataṁ. Paṭikacceva khettaṁ sukaṭṭhaṁ karitvā sumatikataṁ kālena bījāni patiṭṭhāpeti. Kālena bījāni patiṭṭhāpetvā samayena udakaṁ abhinetipi apanetipi. Imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi kassakassa gahapatissa pubbe karaṇīyāni.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tīṇimāni bhikkhussa pubbe karaṇīyāni. Katamāni tīṇi? Adhisīlasikkhāsamādānaṁ, adhicittasikkhāsamādānaṁ, adhipaññāsikkhāsamādānaṁ imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi bhikkhussa pubbe karaṇīyāni.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘tibbo no chando bhavissati adhisīlasikkhāsamādāne, tibbo no chando bhavissati adhicittasikkhāsamādāne, tibbo no chando bhavissati adhipaññāsikkhāsamādāne’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, kassakassa gahapatissa pubbe karaṇīyāni.

“Mendicants, a farmer has three primary duties.

Katamāni tīṇi?

What three?

Idha, bhikkhave, kassako gahapati paṭikacceva khettaṁ sukaṭṭhaṁ karoti sumatikataṁ.

A farmer first of all makes sure the field is well ploughed and tilled.

Paṭikacceva khettaṁ sukaṭṭhaṁ karitvā sumatikataṁ kālena bījāni patiṭṭhāpeti.

Next they plant seeds in season.

Kālena bījāni patiṭṭhāpetvā samayena udakaṁ abhinetipi apanetipi.

When the time is right, they irrigate the field and then drain it.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi kassakassa gahapatissa pubbe karaṇīyāni.

These are the three primary duties of a farmer.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tīṇimāni bhikkhussa pubbe karaṇīyāni.

In the same way, a mendicant has three primary duties.

Katamāni tīṇi?

What three?

Adhisīlasikkhāsamādānaṁ, adhicittasikkhāsamādānaṁ, adhipaññāsikkhāsamādānaṁ

Undertaking the training in the higher ethics, the higher mind, and the higher wisdom.

imāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi bhikkhussa pubbe karaṇīyāni.

These are the three primary duties of a mendicant.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ:

So you should train like this:

‘tibbo no chando bhavissati adhisīlasikkhāsamādāne, tibbo no chando bhavissati adhicittasikkhāsamādāne, tibbo no chando bhavissati adhipaññāsikkhāsamādāne’ti.

‘We will have keen enthusiasm for undertaking the training in the higher ethics, the higher mind, and the higher wisdom.’

Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

That’s how you should train.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Qualities:

Vigour

Vigour

Energetic effort and resilience in practice. It is the refusal to shrink back, the 'uphill' force that initiates and sustains wholesome actions against the gravity of habit.

Also known as: energy, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, application of will, persistence
Pāli: vīriya
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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