The Buddha describes the five kinds of wealth.

AN 5.47 Wealth

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, dhanāni. Katamāni pañca? Saddhādhanaṁ, sīladhanaṁ, sutadhanaṁ, cāgadhanaṁ, paññādhanaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, saddhādhanaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako saddho hoti, saddahati tathāgatassa bodhiṁ: ‘itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, saddhādhanaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, sīladhanaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sīladhanaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, sutadhanaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako bahussuto hoti …pe… diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdho. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sutadhanaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, cāgadhanaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vosaggarato yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, cāgadhanaṁ.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, paññādhanaṁ? Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako paññavā hoti, udayatthagāminiyā paññāya samannāgato ariyāya nibbedhikāya sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā. Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, paññādhanaṁ.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhanānīti.

Yassa saddhā tathāgate,
acalā suppatiṭṭhitā;
Sīlañca yassa kalyāṇaṁ,
ariyakantaṁ pasaṁsitaṁ.

Saṅghe pasādo yassatthi,
ujubhūtañca dassanaṁ;
Adaliddoti taṁ āhu,
amoghaṁ tassa jīvitaṁ.

Tasmā saddhañca sīlañca,
pasādaṁ dhammadassanaṁ;
Anuyuñjetha medhāvī,
saraṁ buddhāna sāsanan”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, dhanāni.

“Mendicants, there are these five kinds of wealth.

Katamāni pañca?

What five?

Saddhādhanaṁ, sīladhanaṁ, sutadhanaṁ, cāgadhanaṁ, paññādhanaṁ.

The wealth of faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, saddhādhanaṁ?

And what is the wealth of faith?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako saddho hoti, saddahati tathāgatassa bodhiṁ:

It’s when a noble disciple has faith in the Realized One’s awakening:

‘itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti.

‘That Blessed One is perfected, a fully awakened Buddha, accomplished in knowledge and conduct, holy, knower of the world, supreme guide for those fit for training, teacher of gods and humans, awakened, blessed.’

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, saddhādhanaṁ.

This is called the wealth of faith.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, sīladhanaṁ?

And what is the wealth of ethics?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānā paṭivirato hoti.

It’s when a noble disciple doesn’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, lie, or consume intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sīladhanaṁ.

This is called the wealth of ethics.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, sutadhanaṁ?

And what is the wealth of learning?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako bahussuto hoti …pe… diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdho.

It’s when a noble disciple is very learned, remembering and keeping what they’ve learned. These teachings are good in the beginning, good in the middle, and good in the end, meaningful and well-phrased, describing a spiritual practice that’s totally full and pure. They are very learned in such teachings, remembering them, reciting them, mentally scrutinizing them, and penetrating them theoretically.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, sutadhanaṁ.

This is called the wealth of learning.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, cāgadhanaṁ?

And what is the wealth of generosity?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako vigatamalamaccherena cetasā agāraṁ ajjhāvasati muttacāgo payatapāṇi vosaggarato yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato.

It’s when a noble disciple lives at home rid of the stain of stinginess, freely generous, open-handed, loving to let go, committed to charity, loving to give and to share.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, cāgadhanaṁ.

This is called the wealth of generosity.

Katamañca, bhikkhave, paññādhanaṁ?

And what is the wealth of wisdom?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako paññavā hoti, udayatthagāminiyā paññāya samannāgato ariyāya nibbedhikāya sammā dukkhakkhayagāminiyā.

It’s when a noble disciple is wise. They have the wisdom of arising and passing away which is noble, penetrative, and leads to the complete ending of suffering.

Idaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, paññādhanaṁ.

This is called the wealth of wisdom.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca dhanānīti.

These are the five kinds of wealth.

Yassa saddhā tathāgate,

Whoever has faith in the Realized One,

acalā suppatiṭṭhitā;

unwavering and well grounded;

Sīlañca yassa kalyāṇaṁ,

whose ethical conduct is good,

ariyakantaṁ pasaṁsitaṁ.

praised and loved by the noble ones;

Saṅghe pasādo yassatthi,

who has confidence in the Saṅgha,

ujubhūtañca dassanaṁ;

and correct view:

Adaliddoti taṁ āhu,

they’re said to be prosperous,

amoghaṁ tassa jīvitaṁ.

their life is not in vain.

Tasmā saddhañca sīlañca,

So let the wise devote themselves

pasādaṁ dhammadassanaṁ;

to faith, ethical behavior,

Anuyuñjetha medhāvī,

confidence, and insight into the teaching,

saraṁ buddhāna sāsanan”ti.

remembering the instructions of the Buddhas.”

Sattamaṁ.

Topics & 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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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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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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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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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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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026