The Buddha teaches on in brief, presenting a fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 4.161 In Brief

“Catasso imā, bhikkhave, paṭipadā. Katamā catasso?

Dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā,

sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā—

imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso paṭipadā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Catasso imā, bhikkhave, paṭipadā.

“Mendicants, there are four ways of practice.

Katamā catasso?

What four?

Dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

Painful practice with slow insight,

dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā,

painful practice with swift insight,

sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

pleasant practice with slow insight, and

sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā—

pleasant practice with swift insight.

imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso paṭipadā”ti.

These are the four ways of practice.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Mendicants, there are four ways of practice.

What four?

Painful practice with slow insight,

painful practice with swift insight,

pleasant practice with slow insight, and

pleasant practice with swift insight.

These are the four ways of practice.”

“Catasso imā, bhikkhave, paṭipadā.

Katamā catasso?

Dukkhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

dukkhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā,

sukhā paṭipadā dandhābhiññā,

sukhā paṭipadā khippābhiññā—

imā kho, bhikkhave, catasso paṭipadā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Last updated on July 27, 2026