The Buddha teaches that stinginess with dwellings, families, material things, praise, and the teachings obstructs higher attainments and must be given up to realize the fruits of the path.

AN 5.264 Another Discourse on the First Absorption

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharituṁ. Katame pañca? Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, akataññutaṁ akataveditaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhamme appahāya abhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharituṁ.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme pahāya bhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharituṁ. Katame pañca? Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, akataññutaṁ akataveditaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhamme pahāya bhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharitun”ti.

Cuddasamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharituṁ.

“Mendicants, without giving up these five qualities you can’t enter and remain in the first absorption.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, akataññutaṁ akataveditaṁ.

Stinginess with dwellings, families, material things, praise, and lack of gratitude and thankfulness.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhamme appahāya abhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharituṁ.

Without giving up these five qualities you can’t enter and remain in the first absorption.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme pahāya bhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharituṁ.

But after giving up these five qualities you can enter and remain in the first absorption.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, akataññutaṁ akataveditaṁ.

Stinginess with dwellings, families, material things, praise, and lack of gratitude and thankfulness.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhamme pahāya bhabbo paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharitun”ti.

After giving up these five qualities you can enter and remain in the first absorption.”

Cuddasamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Gratefulness

Gratefulness

A warm acknowledgment of the kindness and support one has received from others. It opens the heart, fostering humility and connection, while countering feelings of entitlement or disdain.

Also known as: thankfulness, appreciation, recognition of kindness received
Pāli: kataññutā
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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Stinginess

Stinginess

A contracted, possessive refusal to share what one has—whether material goods, knowledge, or status. It clings tightly to what is “mine,” fearing loss and closing the hand against generosity.

Also known as: miserliness, meanness, tight-fistedness
Pāli: macchariya
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Last updated on July 27, 2026