DiscoverANAN 4AN 4.71

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

AN 4.71 Effort

“Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu apaṇṇakappaṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hoti, yoni cassa āraddhā hoti āsavānaṁ khayāya. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti, bahussuto hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu apaṇṇakappaṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hoti, yoni cassa āraddhā hoti āsavānaṁ khayāyā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu apaṇṇakappaṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hoti, yoni cassa āraddhā hoti āsavānaṁ khayāya.

“Mendicants, when a mendicant has four things their practice is a sure bet, and they have laid the groundwork for ending the defilements.

Katamehi catūhi?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sīlavā hoti, bahussuto hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti.

It’s when a mendicant is ethical, learned, energetic, and wise.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu apaṇṇakappaṭipadaṁ paṭipanno hoti, yoni cassa āraddhā hoti āsavānaṁ khayāyā”ti.

When a mendicant possesses these four things their practice is a sure bet, and they have laid the groundwork for ending the defilements.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Ending

Ending

☀️ bright quality

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

☀️ bright quality

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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Learning

Learning

☀️ bright quality

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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Right effort

Right effort

☀️ bright quality

Energy and resolve directed toward preventing unwholesome states from arising, abandoning arisen unwholesome states, cultivating wholesome states, and maintaining arisen wholesome states; persistent application of the mind aligned with the path.

Also known as: right endeavor, right striving
Pāli: sammāvāyāma, padhāna
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Vigour

Vigour

☀️ bright quality

Energetic effort and resilience in practice. It is the refusal to shrink back, the 'uphill' force that initiates and sustains wholesome actions against the gravity of habit.

Also known as: energy, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, application of will, persistence
Pāli: vīriya
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Last updated on August 9, 2026

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