DiscoverANAN 4AN 4.150

The Buddha describes the four essentials.

AN 4.150 Essentials

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, sārā. Katame cattāro? Sīlasāro, samādhisāro, paññāsāro, vimuttisāro— Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro sārā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Ābhāvaggo pañcamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Ābhā pabhā ca ālokā,
obhāsā ceva pajjotā;
Dve kālā caritā dve ca,
honti sārena te dasāti.

Tatiyo paṇṇāsako samatto.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, sārā.

“Mendicants, there are these four essentials.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Sīlasāro, samādhisāro, paññāsāro, vimuttisāro—

Ethics, immersion, wisdom, and freedom are essentials.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro sārā”ti.

These are the four essentials.”

Dasamaṁ.

Ābhāvaggo pañcamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Ābhā pabhā ca ālokā,

obhāsā ceva pajjotā;

Dve kālā caritā dve ca,

honti sārena te dasāti.

Tatiyo paṇṇāsako samatto.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

topic
☀️ bright quality

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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Liberation

Liberation

topic
☀️ bright quality

Liberation can imply a temporary release of the mind, i.e. liberated from certain unwholesome mental qualities or complete liberation from all unwholesome qualities of the mind, i.e. Nibbāna.

Also known as: freedom, release, emancipation, deliverance
Pāli: vimutti, vimokkha, cetovimutti, paññāvimutti, akuppā cetovimutti
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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 August 9, 2026

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