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

AN 4.211 Assembly

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, parisadūsanā. Katame cattāro? Bhikkhu, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo parisadūsano; bhikkhunī, bhikkhave, dussīlā pāpadhammā parisadūsanā; upāsako, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo parisadūsano; upāsikā, bhikkhave, dussīlā pāpadhammā parisadūsanā. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro parisadūsanā.

Cattārome, bhikkhave, parisasobhanā. Katame cattāro? Bhikkhu, bhikkhave, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo parisasobhano; bhikkhunī, bhikkhave, sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā parisasobhanā; upāsako, bhikkhave, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo parisasobhano; upāsikā, bhikkhave, sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā parisasobhanā. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro parisasobhanā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, parisadūsanā.

“Mendicants, these four corrupt an assembly.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Bhikkhu, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo parisadūsano;

A monk, nun, layman, or laywoman who is unethical, of bad character.

bhikkhunī, bhikkhave, dussīlā pāpadhammā parisadūsanā;

upāsako, bhikkhave, dussīlo pāpadhammo parisadūsano;

upāsikā, bhikkhave, dussīlā pāpadhammā parisadūsanā.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro parisadūsanā.

These are the four that corrupt an assembly.

Cattārome, bhikkhave, parisasobhanā.

Mendicants, these four grace an assembly.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Bhikkhu, bhikkhave, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo parisasobhano;

A monk, nun, layman, or laywoman who is ethical, of good character.

bhikkhunī, bhikkhave, sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā parisasobhanā;

upāsako, bhikkhave, sīlavā kalyāṇadhammo parisasobhano;

upāsikā, bhikkhave, sīlavatī kalyāṇadhammā parisasobhanā.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro parisasobhanā”ti.

These are the four that grace an assembly.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

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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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026