Diligence should be practiced in four areas - in abandoning bodily, verbal, and mental misconduct, and wrong view.

PTS 2.119

AN 4.116 Appamāda sutta - Diligence

“Catūhi, bhikkhave, ṭhānehi appamādo karaṇīyo. Katamehi catūhi?

“Diligence should be practiced in four areas. What four?

Kāyaduccaritaṁ, bhikkhave, pajahatha, kāyasucaritaṁ bhāvetha; tattha ca mā pamādattha.

1.) Abandon bodily misconduct and cultivate good bodily conduct; do not be negligent in this.

Vacīduccaritaṁ, bhikkhave, pajahatha, vacīsucaritaṁ bhāvetha; tattha ca mā pamādattha.

2.) Abandon verbal misconduct and cultivate good verbal conduct; do not be negligent in this.

Manoduccaritaṁ, bhikkhave, pajahatha, manosucaritaṁ bhāvetha; tattha ca mā pamādattha.

3.) Abandon mental misconduct and cultivate good mental conduct; do not be negligent in this.

Micchādiṭṭhiṁ, bhikkhave, pajahatha, sammādiṭṭhiṁ bhāvetha; tattha ca mā pamādattha.

4.) Abandon wrong view and cultivate right view; do not be negligent in this.

Yato kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno kāyaduccaritaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti kāyasucaritaṁ bhāvitaṁ, vacīduccaritaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti vacīsucaritaṁ bhāvitaṁ, manoduccaritaṁ pahīnaṁ hoti manosucaritaṁ bhāvitaṁ, micchādiṭṭhi pahīnā hoti sammādiṭṭhi bhāvitā, so na bhāyati samparāyikassa maraṇassā”ti.

When a bhikkhu has abandoned wrong bodily conduct and cultivated good bodily conduct, abandoned wrong verbal conduct and cultivated good verbal conduct, abandoned wrong mental conduct and cultivated good mental conduct, abandoned wrong view and cultivated right view, he need not fear death or what comes after death.”

Topics & Qualities:

Diligence

Diligence

The protective quality of guarding the mind amidst sensory experience. By restraining the faculties, the mind remains unsoiled by attraction.

Also known as: alertness, carefulness, heedfulness, conscientiousness, vigilance
Pāli: appamāda, uṭṭhāna
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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Right intention

Right intention

Intention of renunciation, goodwill, or harmlessness; the resolve to let go of craving, ill will, and cruelty, cultivating thoughts that lead to peace and liberation.

Also known as: correct resolve, wholesome thought, skillful aspiration, right volition
Pāli: sammāsaṅkappa
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Right speech

Right speech

Speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter.

Also known as: truthful speech, honest speech, kind speech, beneficial speech, harmonious speech, articulate words, eloquent communication
Pāli: sammāvācā
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Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on October 4, 2026

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