The Buddha teaches that without giving up six things one cannot attain higher fruits of the path, and that abandoning them opens the way to deeper realization.

AN 6.118 Observing Principles, Etc.

“Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo ajjhattaṁ kāye …pe… bahiddhā kāye …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā kāye …pe… ajjhattaṁ vedanāsu …pe… bahiddhā vedanāsu …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā vedanāsu …pe… ajjhattaṁ citte …pe… bahiddhā citte …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā citte …pe… ajjhattaṁ dhammesu …pe… bahiddhā dhammesu …pe… ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu dhammānupassī viharituṁ. Katame cha? Kammārāmataṁ, bhassārāmataṁ, niddārāmataṁ, saṅgaṇikārāmataṁ, indriyesu aguttadvārataṁ, bhojane amattaññutaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme pahāya bhabbo ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu dhammānupassī viharitun”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cha, bhikkhave, dhamme appahāya abhabbo ajjhattaṁ kāye …pe…

“Mendicants, without giving up six things you can’t meditate observing an aspect of the body internally …

bahiddhā kāye …pe…

body externally …

ajjhattabahiddhā kāye …pe…

body internally and externally …

ajjhattaṁ vedanāsu …pe…

feelings internally …

bahiddhā vedanāsu …pe…

feelings externally …

ajjhattabahiddhā vedanāsu …pe…

feelings internally and externally …

ajjhattaṁ citte …pe…

mind internally …

bahiddhā citte …pe…

mind externally …

ajjhattabahiddhā citte …pe…

mind internally and externally …

ajjhattaṁ dhammesu …pe…

principles internally …

bahiddhā dhammesu …pe…

principles externally …

ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu dhammānupassī viharituṁ.

principles internally and externally.

Katame cha?

What six?

Kammārāmataṁ, bhassārāmataṁ, niddārāmataṁ, saṅgaṇikārāmataṁ, indriyesu aguttadvārataṁ, bhojane amattaññutaṁ.

Relishing work, talk, sleep, and company, not guarding the sense doors, and eating too much.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, cha dhamme pahāya bhabbo ajjhattabahiddhā dhammesu dhammānupassī viharitun”ti.

After giving up these six qualities you can meditate observing an aspect of principles internally and externally.”

Dutiyaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Delight

Delight

A mental quality of relishing and taking pleasure in what is experienced—especially in sensuality or the prospect of continued becoming. When it fastens onto gratification, it nourishes craving and keeps the mind circling around what it wants to experience again.

Also known as: relishing, enjoyment, taking pleasure
Pāli: nandi, ārāmatā
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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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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
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Last updated on July 27, 2026