The Buddha describes the six topics for recollection—firstly, a noble disciple recollects the realized one:, ‘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.’, when a noble disciple recollects the realized one their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion, and at that time their mind is quite unswerving. they’ve left behind greed; they’re free of it and have risen above it, and ‘greed’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation, and relying on this, some sentient beings are purified in this way.

AN 6.25 Topics for Recollection

“Chayimāni, bhikkhave, anussatiṭṭhānāni. Katamāni cha?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako tathāgataṁ anussarati: ‘itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavā’ti. Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako tathāgataṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti; ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā. ‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ. Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako dhammaṁ anussarati: ‘svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo …pe… paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhī’ti. Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako dhammaṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti; ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā. ‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ. Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako saṅghaṁ anussarati: ‘suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā’ti. Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako saṅghaṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti; ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā. ‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ. Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako attano sīlāni anussarati akhaṇḍāni …pe… samādhisaṁvattanikāni. Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako sīlaṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti; ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā. ‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ. Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako attano cāgaṁ anussarati: ‘lābhā vata me. Suladdhaṁ vata me …pe… yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato’ti. …pe… Evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako devatā anussarati: ‘santi devā cātumahārājikā, santi devā tāvatiṁsā, santi devā yāmā, santi devā tusitā, santi devā nimmānaratino, santi devā paranimmitavasavattino, santi devā brahmakāyikā, santi devā tatuttari. Yathārūpāya saddhāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tattha upapannā; mayhampi tathārūpā saddhā saṁvijjati. Yathārūpena sīlenasutenacāgenapaññāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tattha upapannā; mayhampi tathārūpā paññā saṁvijjatī’ti.

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako attano ca tāsañca devatānaṁ saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarati nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti; ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā. ‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ. Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cha anussatiṭṭhānānī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chayimāni, bhikkhave, anussatiṭṭhānāni.

“Mendicants, there are these six topics for recollection.

Katamāni cha?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako tathāgataṁ anussarati:

Firstly, a noble disciple recollects the Realized One:

‘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.’

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako tathāgataṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti;

When a noble disciple recollects the Realized One their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion.

ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā.

At that time their mind is quite unswerving. They’ve left behind greed; they’re free of it and have risen above it.

‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

‘Greed’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Relying on this, some sentient beings are purified in this way.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako dhammaṁ anussarati:

Furthermore, a noble disciple recollects the teaching:

‘svākkhāto bhagavatā dhammo …pe… paccattaṁ veditabbo viññūhī’ti.

‘The teaching is well explained by the Buddha—apparent in the present life, immediately effective, inviting inspection, relevant, so that sensible people can know it for themselves.’

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako dhammaṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti;

When a noble disciple recollects the teaching their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion. …

ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā.

‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako saṅghaṁ anussarati:

Furthermore, a noble disciple recollects the Saṅgha:

‘suppaṭipanno bhagavato sāvakasaṅgho …pe… anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā’ti.

‘The Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples is practicing the way that’s good, direct, systematic, and proper. It consists of the four pairs, the eight individual persons. This is the Saṅgha of the Buddha’s disciples that is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of greeting with cupped palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world.’

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako saṅghaṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti;

When a noble disciple recollects the Saṅgha their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion. …

ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā.

‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako attano sīlāni anussarati akhaṇḍāni …pe… samādhisaṁvattanikāni.

Furthermore, a noble disciple recollects their own ethical precepts, which are intact, impeccable, spotless, and unmarred, liberating, praised by sensible people, not mistaken, and leading to immersion.

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako sīlaṁ anussarati, nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti;

When a noble disciple recollects their ethical precepts their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion. …

ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā.

‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako attano cāgaṁ anussarati:

Furthermore, a noble disciple recollects their own generosity:

‘lābhā vata me. Suladdhaṁ vata me …pe…

‘I’m so fortunate, so very fortunate!

yācayogo dānasaṁvibhāgarato’ti.

Among people full of the stain of stinginess I live 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.’

…pe…

When a noble disciple recollects their generosity their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion. …

Evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, ariyasāvako devatā anussarati:

Furthermore, a noble disciple recollects the deities:

‘santi devā cātumahārājikā, santi devā tāvatiṁsā, santi devā yāmā, santi devā tusitā, santi devā nimmānaratino, santi devā paranimmitavasavattino, santi devā brahmakāyikā, santi devā tatuttari.

‘There are the gods of the four great kings, the gods of the thirty-three, the gods of Yama, the joyful gods, the gods who love to create, the gods who control what is created by others, the gods of the Divinity’s host, and gods even higher than these.

Yathārūpāya saddhāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tattha upapannā; mayhampi tathārūpā saddhā saṁvijjati.

When those deities passed away from here, they were reborn there because of their faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom. I, too, have the same kind of faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.’

Yathārūpena sīlena

sutena

cāgena

paññāya samannāgatā devatā ito cutā tattha upapannā; mayhampi tathārūpā paññā saṁvijjatī’ti.

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako attano ca tāsañca devatānaṁ saddhañca sīlañca sutañca cāgañca paññañca anussarati nevassa tasmiṁ samaye rāgapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na dosapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti, na mohapariyuṭṭhitaṁ cittaṁ hoti;

When a noble disciple recollects the faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom of both themselves and the deities their mind is not full of greed, hate, and delusion.

ujugatamevassa tasmiṁ samaye cittaṁ hoti, nikkhantaṁ muttaṁ vuṭṭhitaṁ gedhamhā.

At that time their mind is quite unswerving. They’ve left behind greed; they’re free of it and have risen above it.

‘Gedho’ti kho, bhikkhave, pañcannetaṁ kāmaguṇānaṁ adhivacanaṁ.

‘Greed’ is a term for the five kinds of sensual stimulation.

Idampi kho, bhikkhave, ārammaṇaṁ karitvā evam’idhekacce sattā visujjhanti.

Relying on this, some sentient beings are purified in this way.

Imāni kho, bhikkhave, cha anussatiṭṭhānānī”ti.

These are the six topics for recollection.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Aversion

Aversion

A rejecting mental quality rooted in perception, where one instinctively turns away from or resists unpleasant experiences or objects; it manifests as a tendency to push away discomfort, obstructing patience and acceptance.

Also known as: animosity, hate, hostility, fault-finding mindset, upset
Pāli: dosa, paṭighasaññā, vera
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Delusion

Delusion

A fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt.

Also known as: illusion, hallucination, misapprehension, distorted view
Pāli: moha, micchāñāṇa
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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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Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
View all discourses →
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