The Buddha teaches on restlessness, presenting a sixfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 6.116 Restlessness

“Tayome, bhikkhave, dhammā. Katame tayo? Uddhaccaṁ, asaṁvaro, pamādo. Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo dhammā. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tiṇṇaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya tayo dhammā bhāvetabbā. Katame tayo? Uddhaccassa pahānāya samatho bhāvetabbo, asaṁvarassa pahānāya saṁvaro bhāvetabbo, pamādassa pahānāya appamādo bhāvetabbo. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tiṇṇaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya ime tayo dhammā bhāvetabbā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Tikavaggo ekādasamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Rāgaduccaritavitakka,
Saññā dhātūti vuccati;
Assādaaratituṭṭhi,
Duve ca uddhaccena vaggoti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tayome, bhikkhave, dhammā.

“Mendicants, there are these three things.

Katame tayo?

What three?

Uddhaccaṁ, asaṁvaro, pamādo.

Restlessness, lack of restraint, and negligence.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo dhammā.

These are the three things.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tiṇṇaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya tayo dhammā bhāvetabbā.

To give up these three things you should develop three things.

Katame tayo?

What three?

Uddhaccassa pahānāya samatho bhāvetabbo, asaṁvarassa pahānāya saṁvaro bhāvetabbo, pamādassa pahānāya appamādo bhāvetabbo.

You should develop serenity to give up restlessness, restraint to give up lack of restraint, and diligence to give up negligence.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tiṇṇaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya ime tayo dhammā bhāvetabbā”ti.

These are the three things you should develop to give up those three things.”

Dasamaṁ.

Tikavaggo ekādasamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Rāgaduccaritavitakka,

Saññā dhātūti vuccati;

Assādaaratituṭṭhi,

Duve ca uddhaccena vaggoti.

Topics & 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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Diligence

Diligence

The protective quality of guarding the mind amidst sensory experience. By restraining the faculties, the mind remains unsoiled by attraction.

Also known as: alertness, carefulness, heedfulness, conscientiousness, vigilance
Pāli: appamāda, uṭṭhāna
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Negligence

Negligence

Dwelling with unrestrained faculties, soiled by sensory attraction. Negligence is the failure to guard the mind and to arouse heedfulness, blocking the arising of wholesome states.

Also known as: carelessness, heedlessness, inattentiveness
Pāli: pamāda
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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Last updated on July 27, 2026