The Buddha teaches on disrespect (2nd), presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.22 Disrespect (2nd)

“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 sīlakkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Sīlakkhandhaṁ aparipūretvā samādhikkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. ‘Samādhikkhandhaṁ aparipūretvā paññākkhandhaṁ 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 sīlakkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Sīlakkhandhaṁ paripūretvā samādhikkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. ‘Samādhikkhandhaṁ paripūretvā paññākkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

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 sīlakkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

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

‘Sīlakkhandhaṁ aparipūretvā samādhikkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without fulfilling the entire spectrum of ethics, it’s impossible to fulfill the entire spectrum of immersion.

‘Samādhikkhandhaṁ aparipūretvā paññākkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Without fulfilling the entire spectrum of immersion, it’s impossible to fulfill the entire spectrum of wisdom.

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 sīlakkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

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

‘Sīlakkhandhaṁ paripūretvā samādhikkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

Having fulfilled the entire spectrum of ethics, it’s possible to fulfill the entire spectrum of immersion.

‘Samādhikkhandhaṁ paripūretvā paññākkhandhaṁ paripūressatī’ti ṭhānametaṁ vijjatī”ti.

Having fulfilled the entire spectrum of immersion, it’s possible to fulfill the entire spectrum of wisdom.”

Dutiyaṁ.

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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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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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