The Buddha teaches on suffering, presenting a fivefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 5.3 Suffering

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā. Katamehi pañcahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu assaddho hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti, kusīto hoti, duppañño hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā. Katamehi pañcahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā.

“Mendicants, when a mendicant has five qualities they live unhappily in this very life—with distress, anguish, and fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a bad rebirth.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu assaddho hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti, kusīto hoti, duppañño hoti.

It’s when a mendicant is faithless, shameless, imprudent, lazy, and witless.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme dukkhaṁ viharati savighātaṁ saupāyāsaṁ sapariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā duggati pāṭikaṅkhā.

When a mendicant possesses these five qualities they live unhappily in this very life—with distress, anguish, and fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a bad rebirth.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā.

When a mendicant has five qualities they live happily in this very life—without distress, distress, or fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a good rebirth.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti.

It’s when a mendicant is faithful, conscientious, prudent, energetic, and wise.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu diṭṭheva dhamme sukhaṁ viharati avighātaṁ anupāyāsaṁ apariḷāhaṁ, kāyassa ca bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugati pāṭikaṅkhā”ti.

When a mendicant possesses these five qualities they live happily in this very life—without distress, anguish, or fever—and when the body breaks up, after death, they can expect a good rebirth.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Qualities:

Anxiety

Anxiety

A fluttering, unsettled state of mind, worried about past or future and unsure what is right to do. It keeps the mind circling around concerns without resolution, weakening confidence and obscuring calm discernment.

Also known as: agitation, confusion about what is right and wrong, distress, fickleness, fidgetiness, edginess, restlessness, wavering, worry
Pāli: kukkucca, uddhacca, darathaja
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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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Fear of wrongdoing

Fear of wrongdoing

A wholesome dread of misconduct that considers consequences and the censure of the wise. It looks outward—aware of blame, loss of reputation, and the suffering that follows unskillful action—and holds the mind back from crossing ethical boundaries.

Also known as: conscientious, moral dread, respect for others, (comm) originating from outside
Pāli: ottappa
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on July 27, 2026