The Buddha teaches on assurance, presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.101 Assurance

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, sekhavesārajjakaraṇā dhammā. Katame pañca? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, sīlavā hoti, bahussuto hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, assaddhassa sārajjaṁ hoti, saddhassa taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti. Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, dussīlassa sārajjaṁ hoti, sīlavato taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti. Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, appassutassa sārajjaṁ hoti, bahussutassa taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti. Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, kusītassa sārajjaṁ hoti, āraddhavīriyassa taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti. Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, duppaññassa sārajjaṁ hoti, paññavato taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti. Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca sekhavesārajjakaraṇā dhammā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, sekhavesārajjakaraṇā dhammā.

“Mendicants, these five qualities make a trainee self-assured.

Katame pañca?

What five?

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

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

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, assaddhassa sārajjaṁ hoti, saddhassa taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti.

A person of faith doesn’t have the insecurities of someone who lacks faith.

Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

So this quality makes a trainee self-assured.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, dussīlassa sārajjaṁ hoti, sīlavato taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti.

An ethical person doesn’t have the insecurities of someone who is unethical.

Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

So this quality makes a trainee self-assured.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, appassutassa sārajjaṁ hoti, bahussutassa taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti.

A learned person doesn’t have the insecurities of a person of little learning.

Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

So this quality makes a trainee self-assured.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, kusītassa sārajjaṁ hoti, āraddhavīriyassa taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti.

An energetic person doesn’t have the insecurities of a lazy person.

Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

So this quality makes a trainee self-assured.

Yaṁ, bhikkhave, duppaññassa sārajjaṁ hoti, paññavato taṁ sārajjaṁ na hoti.

A wise person doesn’t have the insecurities of someone who is witless.

Tasmāyaṁ dhammo sekhavesārajjakaraṇo.

So this quality makes a trainee self-assured.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca sekhavesārajjakaraṇā dhammā”ti.

These are the five qualities that make a trainee self-assured.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

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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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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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