The Buddha teaches on benefits of relying on a true person, presenting a fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 4.242 Benefits of Relying on a True Person

“Sappurisaṁ, bhikkhave, nissāya cattāro ānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā. Katame cattāro? Ariyena sīlena vaḍḍhati, ariyena samādhinā vaḍḍhati, ariyāya paññāya vaḍḍhati, ariyāya vimuttiyā vaḍḍhati sappurisaṁ, bhikkhave, nissāya ime cattāro ānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.

Ekādasamaṁ.

Kammavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Saṅkhitta vitthāra soṇakāyana,
Sikkhāpadaṁ ariyamaggo bojjhaṅgaṁ;
Sāvajjañceva abyābajjhaṁ,
Samaṇo ca sappurisānisaṁsoti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Sappurisaṁ, bhikkhave, nissāya cattāro ānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā.

“Mendicants, you can expect four benefits from relying on a true person.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Ariyena sīlena vaḍḍhati, ariyena samādhinā vaḍḍhati, ariyāya paññāya vaḍḍhati, ariyāya vimuttiyā vaḍḍhati

Growth in noble ethics, immersion, wisdom, and freedom.

sappurisaṁ, bhikkhave, nissāya ime cattāro ānisaṁsā pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.

You can expect these four benefits from relying on a true person.”

Ekādasamaṁ.

Kammavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Saṅkhitta vitthāra soṇakāyana,

Sikkhāpadaṁ ariyamaggo bojjhaṅgaṁ;

Sāvajjañceva abyābajjhaṁ,

Samaṇo ca sappurisānisaṁsoti.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

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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Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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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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Liberation

Liberation

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

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 July 27, 2026