The Buddha describes the four who, explaining this fourfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 4.7 Grace

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobhenti. Katame cattāro? Bhikkhu, bhikkhave, viyatto vinīto visārado bahussuto dhammadharo dhammānudhammappaṭipanno saṅghaṁ sobheti. Bhikkhunī, bhikkhave, viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobheti. Upāsako, bhikkhave, viyatto vinīto visārado bahussuto dhammadharo dhammānudhammappaṭipanno saṅghaṁ sobheti. Upāsikā, bhikkhave, viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobheti.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobhentīti.

Yo hoti viyatto ca visārado ca,
Bahussuto dhammadharo ca hoti;
Dhammassa hoti anudhammacārī,
Sa tādiso vuccati saṅghasobhano.

Bhikkhu ca sīlasampanno,
bhikkhunī ca bahussutā;
Upāsako ca yo saddho,
ca saddhā upāsikā;
Ete kho saṅghaṁ sobhenti,
ete hi saṅghasobhanā”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobhenti.

“Mendicants, these four who are competent, educated, self-assured, and learned, who have memorized the teachings and practice in line with the teaching, grace the Saṅgha.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Bhikkhu, bhikkhave, viyatto vinīto visārado bahussuto dhammadharo dhammānudhammappaṭipanno saṅghaṁ sobheti.

A monk,

Bhikkhunī, bhikkhave, viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobheti.

a nun,

Upāsako, bhikkhave, viyatto vinīto visārado bahussuto dhammadharo dhammānudhammappaṭipanno saṅghaṁ sobheti.

a layman,

Upāsikā, bhikkhave, viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobheti.

and a laywoman.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cattāro viyattā vinītā visāradā bahussutā dhammadharā dhammānudhammappaṭipannā saṅghaṁ sobhentīti.

These four who are competent, educated, self-assured, and learned, who have memorized the teachings and practice in line with the teaching, grace the Saṅgha.

Yo hoti viyatto ca visārado ca,

Whoever is competent and self-assured,

Bahussuto dhammadharo ca hoti;

learned, a memorizer of the teachings,

Dhammassa hoti anudhammacārī,

who lives in line with the teaching—

Sa tādiso vuccati saṅghasobhano.

such a one is said to grace the Saṅgha.

Bhikkhu ca sīlasampanno,

A monk accomplished in ethics,

bhikkhunī ca bahussutā;

and a learned nun,

Upāsako ca yo saddho,

a faithful layman,

ca saddhā upāsikā;

and a faithful laywoman, too:

Ete kho saṅghaṁ sobhenti,

these grace the Saṅgha,

ete hi saṅghasobhanā”ti.

they are the graces of the Saṅgha.”

Sattamaṁ.

Qualities:

Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Learning

Learning

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Last updated on July 27, 2026