The Buddha describes the four poets, explaining this fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.
“Cattārome, bhikkhave, kavī. Katame cattāro?
Cintākavi, sutakavi, atthakavi, paṭibhānakavi—
Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro kavī”ti.
Ekādasamaṁ.
Duccaritavaggo tatiyo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Duccaritaṁ diṭṭhi akataññū ca,
Pāṇātipātāpi dve maggā;
Dve vohārapathā vuttā,
Ahirikaṁ duppaññakavinā cāti.
Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).
“Cattārome, bhikkhave, kavī.
“Mendicants, there are these four poets.
Katame cattāro?
What four?
Cintākavi, sutakavi, atthakavi, paṭibhānakavi—
A poet who thoughtfully composes their own work, a poet who repeats the oral transmission, a poet who educates, and a poet who improvises.
Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro kavī”ti.
These are the four poets.”
Ekādasamaṁ.
Duccaritavaggo tatiyo.
Tassuddānaṁ
Duccaritaṁ diṭṭhi akataññū ca,
Pāṇātipātāpi dve maggā;
Dve vohārapathā vuttā,
Ahirikaṁ duppaññakavinā cāti.
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Last updated on July 27, 2026