The Buddha explains the five causes for liberation, which include hearing the Dhamma, teaching the Dhamma to others, reciting the Dhamma, reflecting on the Dhamma, and attending to a theme of mental stillness.

AN 5.26  Vimuttāyatana sutta - Causes for Liberation

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, vimuttāyatanāni yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttaṁ cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattaṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti. Katamāni pañca?

“Bhikkhus, there are these five causes for liberation wherein, for a bhikkhu who is |diligent::doing one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamatta]|, |resolute::determined, intent [pahitatta]|, and |with continuous effort::ardent, zealous, with energy, with application [ātāpī]| in practice, the unliberated mind is liberated, the unexhausted taints reach |complete exhaustion::gradual and complete wearing away [parikkhaya]|, and he reaches the as-yet-unreached |unsurpassed::highest, incomparable [anuttara]| security from bondage. What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno satthā dhammaṁ deseti aññataro garuṭṭhāniyo sabrahmacārī. Yathā yathā, bhikkhave, tassa bhikkhuno satthā dhammaṁ deseti, aññataro garuṭṭhāniyo sabrahmacārī tathā tathā so tasmiṁ dhamme atthapaṭisaṁvedī ca hoti dhammapaṭisaṁvedī ca. Tassa atthapaṭisaṁvedino dhammapaṭisaṁvedino pāmojjaṁ jāyati. Pamuditassa pīti jāyati. Pītimanassa kāyo passambhati. Passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vedeti. Sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭhamaṁ vimuttāyatanaṁ yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttaṁ cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattaṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

1.) Here, bhikkhus, the Teacher or a spiritual companion standing in place of teacher teaches the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| to a bhikkhu. In whatever way the Teacher or a spiritual companion standing in place of teacher teaches the Dhamma to that bhikkhu, in just that way he experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma. In one who experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma, |joy::cheerfulness, gladness; a fresh and mild happiness arising from a sense of spiritual well-being and a clear conscience [pāmojja]| arises. When one is joyful, |uplifting joy::mental exhilaration; it ranges from a gentle delight to overwhelming rapture [pīti]| arises. In one whose mind is filled with uplifting joy, the body |becomes tranquil::calms down, relaxes [passambhati]|. One tranquil in body dwells in |contentment::ease, happiness, pleasant abiding [sukha]|. The mind of one who dwells in contentment |becomes collected::is calmed, becomes composed, becomes stable [samādhiyati]|. This, bhikkhus, is the first cause for liberation wherein, for a bhikkhu who is diligent, resolute, and with continuous effort in practice, the unliberated mind is liberated, the unexhausted taints reach complete exhaustion, and he reaches the as-yet-unreached unsurpassed security from bondage.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na heva kho satthā dhammaṁ deseti, aññataro garuṭṭhāniyo sabrahmacārī, api ca kho yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ deseti. Yathā yathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ deseti tathā tathā so tasmiṁ dhamme atthapaṭisaṁvedī ca hoti dhammapaṭisaṁvedī ca. Tassa atthapaṭisaṁvedino dhammapaṭisaṁvedino pāmojjaṁ jāyati. Pamuditassa pīti jāyati. Pītimanassa kāyo passambhati. Passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vedeti. Sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, dutiyaṁ vimuttāyatanaṁ yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttaṁ cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattaṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

2.) Further, bhikkhus, neither the Teacher nor a spiritual companion standing in place of teacher teaches the Dhamma to a bhikkhu, but rather he teaches the Dhamma to others in detail as he has heard it and learned it. In whatever way the bhikkhu teaches the Dhamma to others in detail as he has heard it and learned it, in just that way he experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma. In one who experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma, joy arises. When one is joyful, uplifting joy arises. In one whose mind is filled with uplifting joy, the body becomes tranquil. One tranquil in body dwells in contentment. The mind of one who dwells in contentment becomes collected. This, bhikkhus, is the second cause for liberation wherein, for a bhikkhu who is diligent, resolute, and with continuous effort in practice, the unliberated mind is liberated, the unexhausted taints reach complete exhaustion, and he reaches the as-yet-unreached unsurpassed security from bondage.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na heva kho satthā dhammaṁ deseti, aññataro garuṭṭhāniyo sabrahmacārī, nāpi yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ deseti, api ca kho yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena sajjhāyaṁ karoti. Yathā yathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena sajjhāyaṁ karoti tathā tathā so tasmiṁ dhamme atthapaṭisaṁvedī ca hoti dhammapaṭisaṁvedī ca. Tassa atthapaṭisaṁvedino dhammapaṭisaṁvedino pāmojjaṁ jāyati. Pamuditassa pīti jāyati. Pītimanassa kāyo passambhati. Passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vedeti. Sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, tatiyaṁ vimuttāyatanaṁ yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino …pe… yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

3.) Further, bhikkhus, neither the Teacher nor a spiritual companion standing in place of teacher teaches the Dhamma to a bhikkhu, nor does he teach the Dhamma to others in detail as he has heard it and learned it, but rather he |recites::chants, rehearses, repeats [sajjhāya]| the Dhamma in detail as he has heard it and learned it. In whatever way the bhikkhu recites the Dhamma in detail as he has heard it and learned it, in just that way he experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma. In one who experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma, joy arises. When one is joyful, uplifting joy arises. In one whose mind is filled with uplifting joy, the body becomes tranquil. One tranquil in body dwells in contentment. The mind of one who dwells in contentment becomes collected. This, bhikkhus, is the third cause for liberation wherein, for a bhikkhu who is diligent, resolute, and with continuous effort in practice, the unliberated mind is liberated, the unexhausted taints reach complete exhaustion, and he reaches the as-yet-unreached unsurpassed security from bondage.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na heva kho satthā dhammaṁ deseti, aññataro garuṭṭhāniyo sabrahmacārī, nāpi yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ deseti, nāpi yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena sajjhāyaṁ karoti; api ca kho yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ cetasā anuvitakketi anuvicāreti manasānupekkhati. Yathā yathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ cetasā anuvitakketi anuvicāreti manasānupekkhati tathā tathā so tasmiṁ dhamme atthapaṭisaṁvedī ca hoti dhammapaṭisaṁvedī ca. Tassa atthapaṭisaṁvedino dhammapaṭisaṁvedino pāmojjaṁ jāyati. Pamuditassa pīti jāyati. Pītimanassa kāyo passambhati. Passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vedeti. Sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, catutthaṁ vimuttāyatanaṁ yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttaṁ cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattaṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

4.) Further, bhikkhus, neither the Teacher nor a spiritual companion standing in place of teacher teaches the Dhamma to a bhikkhu, nor does he teach the Dhamma to others in detail as he has heard it and learned it, nor does he recite the Dhamma in detail as he has heard it and learned it; but rather he |ponders over::reflects on, rethinks [anuvitakketi]|, |re-examines::relooks at [anuvicāreti]|, and |mentally investigates::mentally recollects; lit. reconsiders in mind [manasānupekkhati]| the Dhamma as he has heard it and learned it. In whatever way the bhikkhu ponders over, re-examines, and mentally investigates the Dhamma as he has heard it and learned it, in just that way he experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma. In one who experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma, joy arises. When one is joyful, uplifting joy arises. In one whose mind is filled with uplifting joy, the body becomes tranquil. One tranquil in body dwells in contentment. The mind of one who dwells in contentment becomes collected. This, bhikkhus, is the fourth cause for liberation wherein, for a bhikkhu who is diligent, resolute, and with continuous effort in practice, the unliberated mind is liberated, the unexhausted taints reach complete exhaustion, and he reaches the as-yet-unreached unsurpassed security from bondage.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno na heva kho satthā dhammaṁ deseti aññataro garuṭṭhāniyo sabrahmacārī, nāpi yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena paresaṁ deseti, nāpi yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ vitthārena sajjhāyaṁ karoti, nāpi yathāsutaṁ yathāpariyattaṁ dhammaṁ cetasā anuvitakketi anuvicāreti manasānupekkhati; api ca khvassa aññataraṁ samādhinimittaṁ suggahitaṁ hoti sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya. Yathā yathā, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno aññataraṁ samādhinimittaṁ suggahitaṁ hoti sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya tathā tathā so tasmiṁ dhamme atthapaṭisaṁvedī ca hoti dhammapaṭisaṁvedī ca. Tassa atthapaṭisaṁvedino dhammapaṭisaṁvedino pāmojjaṁ jāyati. Pamuditassa pīti jāyati. Pītimanassa kāyo passambhati. Passaddhakāyo sukhaṁ vedeti. Sukhino cittaṁ samādhiyati. Idaṁ, bhikkhave, pañcamaṁ vimuttāyatanaṁ yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttaṁ cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattaṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇāti.

5.) Further, bhikkhus, neither the Teacher nor a spiritual companion standing in place of teacher teaches the Dhamma to a bhikkhu, nor does he teach the Dhamma to others in detail as he has heard it and learned it, nor does he recite the Dhamma in detail as he has heard it and learned it, nor does he ponder over, re-examine, and mentally investigate the Dhamma as he has heard it and learned it; but rather a certain |theme of mental stillness::cause for mental composure [samādhinimitta]| is |well grasped::correctly understood, firmly retained [suggahita]|, well attended to, |well reflected upon::carefully considered and examined [sūpadhārita]|, and |thoroughly penetrated::completely comprehended [suppaṭividdha]| by |wisdom::distinctive knowledge, discernment [pañña]|. In whatever way the bhikkhu has well grasped a certain theme of mental stillness, attended well to it, reflected upon it well, and thoroughly penetrated it by wisdom, in just that way he experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma. In one who experiences the meaning and experiences the Dhamma, joy arises. When one is joyful, uplifting joy arises. In one whose mind is filled with uplifting joy, the body becomes tranquil. One tranquil in body dwells in contentment. The mind of one who dwells in contentment becomes collected. This, bhikkhus, is the fifth cause for liberation wherein, for a bhikkhu who is diligent, resolute, and with continuous effort in practice, the unliberated mind is liberated, the unexhausted taints reach complete exhaustion, and he reaches the as-yet-unreached unsurpassed security from bondage.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca vimuttāyatanāni yattha bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato avimuttaṁ cittaṁ vimuccati, aparikkhīṇā āsavā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti, ananuppattaṁ anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ anupāpuṇātī”ti.

These, bhikkhus, are the five causes for liberation wherein, for a bhikkhu who is diligent, resolute, and with continuous effort in practice, the unliberated mind is liberated, the unexhausted taints reach complete exhaustion, and he reaches the as-yet-unreached unsurpassed security from bondage.”

Topics & Qualities:

Investigation

Investigation

Investigation involves the process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: inquiry, contemplation, examination, analysis, exploration
Pāli: vicaya, vīmaṃsā, parikkhati
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Jhana

Jhana

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: absorption, concentration, collectedness, mental composure, stability of mind, undistracted awareness
Pāli: jhāna, samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Liberation

Liberation

Liberation can imply a temporary release of the mind, i.e. liberated from certain unwholesome mental qualities or complete liberation from all unwholesome qualities of the mind, i.e. Nibbāna.

Also known as: freedom, release, emancipation, deliverance
Pāli: vimutti, vimokkha, cetovimutti, paññāvimutti, akuppā cetovimutti
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Happiness

Happiness

Bodily ease and comfort; a pleasant feeling experienced with the body. In the third jhāna, one dwells experiencing this pleasure with the body. It is abandoned, along with bodily pain, for the fourth jhāna to arise.

Also known as: pleasant abiding, positive state of mind, sense of ease
Pāli: sukha
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Joy

Joy

A fresh and mild happiness arising from a sense of spiritual well-being and a clear conscience

Also known as: cheerfulness, gladness, wellbeing
Pāli: pāmojja, somanassa
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Learned

Learned

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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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Uplifting joy

Uplifting joy

An energetic mental quality that creates a sense of lift or thrill; it ranges from a gentle delight to overwhelming rapture.

Also known as: heartfelt joy, mental exhilaration, rapture, lit. refreshment
Pāli: pīti
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Last updated on February 18, 2026