The Buddha teaches on the sure path (1st), presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.151 The Sure Path (1st)

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ. Katamehi pañcahi? Kathaṁ paribhoti, kathikaṁ paribhoti, attānaṁ paribhoti, vikkhittacitto dhammaṁ suṇāti, anekaggacitto ayoniso ca manasi karoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ. Katamehi pañcahi? Na kathaṁ paribhoti, na kathikaṁ paribhoti, na attānaṁ paribhoti, avikkhittacitto dhammaṁ suṇāti, ekaggacitto yoniso ca manasi karoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattan”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

“Mendicants, someone with five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities even when listening to the true teaching.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Kathaṁ paribhoti, kathikaṁ paribhoti, attānaṁ paribhoti, vikkhittacitto dhammaṁ suṇāti, anekaggacitto ayoniso ca manasi karoti.

They disparage the talk, the speaker, or themselves. They listen with scattered and disunified mind. They apply the mind irrationally.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

Someone with these five qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities, even when listening to the true teaching.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

Someone with five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Na kathaṁ paribhoti, na kathikaṁ paribhoti, na attānaṁ paribhoti, avikkhittacitto dhammaṁ suṇāti, ekaggacitto yoniso ca manasi karoti.

They don’t disparage the talk, the speaker, or themselves. They listen with unscattered and unified mind. They apply the mind rationally.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattan”ti.

Someone with these five qualities is able to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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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