For a practitioner cultivating mindfulness while breathing in and out, the Buddha describes five qualities that lead to the unshakeable in no long time.

AN 5.96 Sutadhara sutta - What One has Learned

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu ānāpānassatiṁ āsevanto nacirasseva akuppaṁ paṭivijjhati. Katamehi pañcahi?

“Endowed with five qualities, |bhikkhus,::::| a bhikkhu cultivating |mindfulness while breathing in and out::mindfulness during inhalation and exhalation [ānāpānassati]| in no long time penetrates to the |unshakeable::unassailable, indisputable [akuppa]|. What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appaṭṭho hoti appakicco subharo susantoso jīvitaparikkhāresu;

1.) Here, |bhikkhus,::::| a bhikkhu is |with few involvements::having few activities [appaṭṭha]|, |with few duties::with little work [appakicca]|, is easy to support, and is easily satisfied with the requisites of life;

appāhāro hoti anodarikattaṁ anuyutto;

2.) He eats little food, practicing |moderation in eating::not overeating [anodarikatta]|;

appamiddho hoti jāgariyaṁ anuyutto;

3.) He is seldom drowsy, practicing |wakefulness::lucidity, being awake, being alert [jāgariya]|;

bahussuto hoti sutadharo sutasannicayo, ye te dhammā ādikalyāṇā majjhekalyāṇā pariyosānakalyāṇā sātthaṁ sabyañjanaṁ kevalaparipuṇṇaṁ parisuddhaṁ brahmacariyaṁ abhivadanti, tathārūpāssa dhammā bahussutā honti dhātā vacasā paricitā manasānupekkhitā diṭṭhiyā suppaṭividdhā;

4.) He has learned much, remembers what he has learned, and consolidates what he has learned. Those teachings that are beneficial in the beginning, beneficial in the middle, and beneficial in the end, that are meaningful and well-expressed, that proclaim the perfectly complete and purified spiritual life—such teachings as these he has learned extensively, remembered, recited verbally, mentally examined, and |thoroughly penetrated::completely understood [suppaṭividdha]| |by view::in concept, in theory, in attitude, in philosophy [diṭṭhi]|.

yathāvimuttaṁ cittaṁ paccavekkhati.

5.) He |reviews::considers, reflects [paccavekkhati]| the extent to which his mind is |liberated::freed [vimutta]|.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu ānāpānassatiṁ āsevanto nacirasseva akuppaṁ paṭivijjhatī”ti.

Endowed with these five qualities, |bhikkhus,::::| a bhikkhu cultivating mindfulness while breathing in and out in no long time penetrates to the unshakeable.”

Topics & Qualities:

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 of Breath

Mindfulness of Breath

Mindfulness while breathing in and out is a practical application of right mindfulness, the seventh factor of the Noble Eightfold Path. This topic encompasses both the step-by-step training process and the resulting state of collectedness, where awareness becomes gathered and steady. It illustrates how this practice fosters deep tranquility, clarity, and the release of the mind from unwholesome qualities.

Also known as: mindfulness while breathing in and out
Pāli: ānāpāna, ānāpānassati, ānāpānassatisamādhi
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Sense restraint

Sense restraint

A practice of guarding the sense doors by not grasping at the general features or details of sense objects when seeing, hearing, sensing, and cognizing.

Also known as: guarding the sense faculties, watching the sense doors, not grasping at the prominent features or details of sense objects, moderation in eating
Pāli: indriya saṁvara
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Wakefulness

Wakefulness

A bright alertness of mind that remains clear and attentive, unclouded by dullness or drowsiness. It guards the senses and supports continuous mindfulness.

Also known as: lucidity, alertness, vigilance, watchfulness
Pāli: jāgariyā
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Last updated on July 23, 2026