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

AN 5.21 Disrespect (1st)

“So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso asabhāgavuttiko ‘sabrahmacārīsu ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ aparipūretvā sekhaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Sekhaṁ dhammaṁ aparipūretvā sīlāni paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Sīlāni aparipūretvā sammādiṭṭhiṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Sammādiṭṭhiṁ aparipūretvā sammāsamādhiṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso sabhāgavuttiko ‘sabrahmacārīsu ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ paripūretvā sekhaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Sekhaṁ dhammaṁ paripūretvā sīlāni paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Sīlāni paripūretvā sammādiṭṭhiṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Sammādiṭṭhiṁ paripūretvā sammāsamādhiṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu agāravo appatisso asabhāgavuttiko ‘sabrahmacārīsu ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

“Mendicants, it is quite impossible for a disrespectful and irreverent mendicant with incompatible lifestyle to fulfill the practice dealing with supplementary regulations regarding their spiritual companions.

‘Ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ aparipūretvā sekhaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without fulfilling the practice dealing with supplementary regulations, it’s impossible to fulfill the practice of a trainee.

‘Sekhaṁ dhammaṁ aparipūretvā sīlāni paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without fulfilling the practice of a trainee, it’s impossible to fulfill ethics.

‘Sīlāni aparipūretvā sammādiṭṭhiṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without fulfilling ethics, it’s impossible to fulfill right view.

‘Sammādiṭṭhiṁ aparipūretvā sammāsamādhiṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without fulfilling right view, it’s impossible to fulfill right immersion.

So vata, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sagāravo sappatisso sabhāgavuttiko ‘sabrahmacārīsu ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

But it is quite possible for a respectful and reverent mendicant with compatible lifestyle to fulfill the practice dealing with supplementary regulations regarding their spiritual companions.

‘Ābhisamācārikaṁ dhammaṁ paripūretvā sekhaṁ dhammaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

Having fulfilled the practice dealing with supplementary regulations, it’s possible to fulfill the practice of a trainee.

‘Sekhaṁ dhammaṁ paripūretvā sīlāni paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

Having fulfilled the practice of a trainee, it’s possible to fulfill ethics.

‘Sīlāni paripūretvā sammādiṭṭhiṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

Having fulfilled ethics, it’s possible to fulfill right view.

‘Sammādiṭṭhiṁ paripūretvā sammāsamādhiṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī”ti.

Having fulfilled right view, it’s possible to fulfill right immersion.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Contempt

Contempt

A dismissive or belittling attitude that refuses to acknowledge worth or goodness. It closes the heart, undermines gratitude, and prepares the ground for ill will.

Also known as: ungratefulness, depreciation, denigration, disrespect, belittlement, disparagement
Pāli: makkha, vambhaka
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Quenching

Quenching

An experiential state of being “cooled,” where the burning fever of craving has subsided and the mind dwells in a peace free from the anxiety of needing to become something else.

Also known as: being cooled, desirelessness, free from hope, fulfilled, fully satiated, having attained emancipation
Pāli: nibbuta, nirāsa, parinibbāyati
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Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
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Unassuming

Unassuming

A gentle, low-profile way of speaking and acting that avoids drawing attention to oneself; restrained in self-display, giving space to others, and simple in manner.

Also known as: courteous, low-key, respectful, not impudent, self-effacing, unpretentious
Pāli: appagabbha, sorata
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on July 27, 2026