DiscoverANAN 4AN 4.146

The Buddha describes the four times, explaining this fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

PTS 2.140

AN 4.146 Times (1st)

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, kālā. Katame cattāro? Kālena dhammassavanaṁ, kālena dhammasākacchā, kālena sammasanā, kālena vipassanā— Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro kālā”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, kālā.

“Mendicants, there are these four times.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Kālena dhammassavanaṁ, kālena dhammasākacchā, kālena sammasanā, kālena vipassanā—

A time for listening to the teaching, a time for discussing the teaching, a time for serenity, and a time for discernment.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro kālā”ti.

These are the four times.”

Qualities:

Discernment

Discernment

☀️ bright quality

Clear seeing that distinguishes what is wholesome from unwholesome, true from false.

Also known as: ability to make out distinctions, ability to discriminate, distinguish, clear seeing, penetrating internal vision
Pāli: viveka, nipaka, niccheyya
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Tranquility

Tranquility

☀️ bright quality

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Wisdom

Wisdom

☀️ bright quality

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 September 14, 2026

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