The four qualities that lead to the growth of wisdom: associating with persons of integrity, listening to the good Dhamma, radical attention, and practicing in accordance with the Dhamma.

PTS 2.245

AN 4.248 Paññāvuddhi sutta - Growth of Wisdom

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, dhammā paññāvuddhiyā saṁvattanti. Katame cattāro? Sappurisasaṁsevo, saddhammasavanaṁ, yonisomanasikāro, dhammānudhammappaṭipatti Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro dhammā paññāvuddhiyā saṁvattantī”ti.

“|Bhikkhus,::::| these four things lead to the growth of wisdom. What four? |Associating with persons of integrity::association with true persons [sappurisasaṁseva]|, listening to the good |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|, |radical attention::wise steering of attention, root-level attention, attention to the structural source, contextual reflection; lit. attention from the source [yoniso + manasikāra]|, and |practice of the Dhamma in accordance with the Dhamma::accordant following of the Dhamma [dhammānudhammappaṭipatti]|. These|, bhikkhus,::::| are the four things that lead to the growth of wisdom.”

Topics & Qualities:

Person of Integrity

Person of Integrity

One whose inner character aligns with their outer conduct—honest about their own faults, appreciative of others' virtues, and grounded in principles that guide action toward what is beneficial.

Also known as: virtuous person, true person
Pāli: sappurisa
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Radical attention

Radical attention

The active, deliberate steering of the mind away from habitual, automated reaction patterns. It is the wise steering of attention based on a theme of the Dhamma.

Also known as: wise steering of attention, root-level attention, attention to the structural source, contextual reflection
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Recollection of the Dhamma

Recollection of the Dhamma

A mental quality of reflecting on the qualities of the Dhamma, which counters doubt and strengthens faith.

Also known as: recollection of Dhamma, mindfulness of the Dhamma, reflection on the qualities of the Dhamma
Pāli: dhammānussati, dhammānusmṛti
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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 September 12, 2026

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