The Buddha teaches on non-decline, presenting a sixfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 6.22 Non-decline -

“Chayime, bhikkhave, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi, taṁ suṇātha …pe… katame ca, bhikkhave, cha aparihāniyā dhammā? Na kammārāmatā, na bhassārāmatā, na niddārāmatā, na saṅgaṇikārāmatā, sovacassatā, kalyāṇamittatā ime kho, bhikkhave, cha aparihāniyā dhammā.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ na parihāyiṁsu kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi na parihāyiṁsu kusalehi dhammehi. Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ na parihāyissanti kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi na parihāyissanti kusalehi dhammehi. Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, etarahi na parihāyanti kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi na parihāyanti kusalehi dhammehī”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chayime, bhikkhave, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi, taṁ suṇātha …pe…

“Mendicants, I will teach you these six principles that prevent decline. …

katame ca, bhikkhave, cha aparihāniyā dhammā?

And what, mendicants, are the six principles that prevent decline?

Na kammārāmatā, na bhassārāmatā, na niddārāmatā, na saṅgaṇikārāmatā, sovacassatā, kalyāṇamittatā

Not relishing work, talk, sleep, and company, being easy to admonish, and having good friends.

ime kho, bhikkhave, cha aparihāniyā dhammā.

These six qualities prevent decline.

Ye hi keci, bhikkhave, atītamaddhānaṁ na parihāyiṁsu kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi na parihāyiṁsu kusalehi dhammehi.

Whether in the past, future, or present, all those who have not declined in skillful qualities do so because of these six qualities.”

Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, anāgatamaddhānaṁ na parihāyissanti kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi na parihāyissanti kusalehi dhammehi.

Yepi hi keci, bhikkhave, etarahi na parihāyanti kusalehi dhammehi, sabbete imeheva chahi dhammehi na parihāyanti kusalehi dhammehī”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

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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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