The Buddha teaches that without giving up five kinds of stinginess one cannot attain higher absorptions or the fruits of the path, and that abandoning them opens the way to stream-entry through perfection in this grouped discourse.

AN 5.265-271 Another Discourse on the Second Absorption, Etc.

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo dutiyaṁ jhānaṁtatiyaṁ jhānaṁcatutthaṁ jhānaṁsotāpattiphalaṁsakadāgāmiphalaṁanāgāmiphalaṁarahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katame pañca? Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, akataññutaṁ akataveditaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhamme appahāya abhabbo arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme pahāya bhabbo dutiyaṁ jhānaṁtatiyaṁ jhānaṁcatutthaṁ jhānaṁsotāpattiphalaṁsakadāgāmiphalaṁanāgāmiphalaṁarahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katame pañca? Āvāsamacchariyaṁ, kulamacchariyaṁ, lābhamacchariyaṁ, vaṇṇamacchariyaṁ, akataññutaṁ akataveditaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhamme pahāya bhabbo arahattaṁ sacchikātun”ti.

Ekavīsatimaṁ.

Upasampadāvaggo chaṭṭho.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo dutiyaṁ jhānaṁtatiyaṁ jhānaṁcatutthaṁ jhānaṁsotāpattiphalaṁsakadāgāmiphalaṁanāgāmiphalaṁarahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

“Mendicants, without giving up these five qualities you can’t enter and remain in the second absorption … third absorption … fourth absorption … or realize the fruit of stream-entry … the fruit of once-return … the fruit of non-return … perfection.

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 arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

Without giving up these five qualities you can’t realize perfection.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, dhamme pahāya bhabbo dutiyaṁ jhānaṁtatiyaṁ jhānaṁcatutthaṁ jhānaṁsotāpattiphalaṁsakadāgāmiphalaṁanāgāmiphalaṁarahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

But after giving up these five qualities you can enter and remain in the second absorption … third absorption … fourth absorption … and realize the fruit of stream-entry … the fruit of once-return … the fruit of non-return … perfection.

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 arahattaṁ sacchikātun”ti.

After giving up these five qualities you can realize perfection.”

Ekavīsatimaṁ.

Upasampadāvaggo chaṭṭho.

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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026