The Buddha describes the five drawbacks for someone who likes long and aimless wandering.

AN 5.221 Long Wandering (1st)

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, ādīnavā dīghacārikaṁ anavatthacārikaṁ anuyuttassa viharato. Katame pañca? Assutaṁ na suṇāti, sutaṁ na pariyodāpeti, sutenekaccena avisārado hoti, gāḷhaṁ rogātaṅkaṁ phusati, na ca mittavā hoti. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā dīghacārikaṁ anavatthacārikaṁ anuyuttassa viharato.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, ānisaṁsā samavatthacāre. Katame pañca? Assutaṁ suṇāti, sutaṁ pariyodāpeti, sutenekaccena visārado hoti, na gāḷhaṁ rogātaṅkaṁ phusati, mittavā ca hoti. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ānisaṁsā samavatthacāre”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, ādīnavā dīghacārikaṁ anavatthacārikaṁ anuyuttassa viharato.

“Mendicants, there are these five drawbacks for someone who likes long and aimless wandering.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Assutaṁ na suṇāti, sutaṁ na pariyodāpeti, sutenekaccena avisārado hoti, gāḷhaṁ rogātaṅkaṁ phusati, na ca mittavā hoti.

You don’t learn new things. You don’t clarify what you’ve learned. You lack confidence in some things you have learned. You contract a severe illness. You don’t have any friends.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā dīghacārikaṁ anavatthacārikaṁ anuyuttassa viharato.

These are the five drawbacks for someone who likes long and aimless wandering.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, ānisaṁsā samavatthacāre.

There are these five benefits of a reasonable amount of wandering.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Assutaṁ suṇāti, sutaṁ pariyodāpeti, sutenekaccena visārado hoti, na gāḷhaṁ rogātaṅkaṁ phusati, mittavā ca hoti.

You learn new things. You clarify what you’ve learned. You have confidence in some things you have learned. You don’t contract severe illness. You have friends.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ānisaṁsā samavatthacāre”ti.

These are the five benefits of a reasonable amount of wandering.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Qualities:

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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Last updated on July 27, 2026