The domain of wisdom of the Buddhas, on one in jhānas, the result of kamma, and speculation about the world are inconceivable and shouldn’t be speculated over or thought about.

AN 4.77  Acinteyya sutta - The Inconceivable

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, acinteyyāni, na cintetabbāni; yāni cintento ummādassa vighātassa bhāgī assa. Katamāni cattāri?

“Bhikkhus, there are these four things that are inconceivable, not to be speculated over or thought about; thinking about which would lead to confusion and distress. What four?

Buddhānaṁ, bhikkhave, buddhavisayo acinteyyo, na cintetabbo; yaṁ cintento ummādassa vighātassa bhāgī assa.

The domain of wisdom of the Buddhas, bhikkhus, is inconceivable, not to be speculated over or thought about; thinking about which would lead to confusion and distress.

Jhāyissa, bhikkhave, jhānavisayo acinteyyo, na cintetabbo; yaṁ cintento ummādassa vighātassa bhāgī assa.

The domain of wisdom of one in jhānas, bhikkhus, is inconceivable, not to be speculated over or thought about; thinking about which would lead to confusion and distress.

Kammavipāko, bhikkhave, acinteyyo, na cintetabbo; yaṁ cintento ummādassa vighātassa bhāgī assa.

The result of |kamma::action, deed, doing, volitional act [kamma]|, bhikkhus, is inconceivable, not to be speculated over or thought about; thinking about which would lead to confusion and distress.

Lokacintā, bhikkhave, acinteyyā, na cintetabbā; yaṁ cintento ummādassa vighātassa bhāgī assa.

Speculation about the world or thoughts about the origin of the universe, bhikkhus, are inconceivable, not to be speculated over or thought about; thinking about which would lead to confusion and distress.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri acinteyyāni, na cintetabbāni; yāni cintento ummādassa vighātassa bhāgī assā”ti.

These, indeed, bhikkhus, are the four inconceivable things, not to be speculated over or thought about; thinking about which would lead to confusion and distress.”

Last updated on April 11, 2026