The Buddha teaches on hell (1st), presenting a sixfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 6.81 Hell (1st)

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye. Katamehi chahi? Pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, pāpiccho ca, micchādiṭṭhi ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge. Katamehi chahi? Pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, appiccho ca, sammādiṭṭhi ca. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye.

“Mendicants, someone with six qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Pāṇātipātī hoti, adinnādāyī hoti, kāmesumicchācārī hoti, musāvādī hoti, pāpiccho ca, micchādiṭṭhi ca.

They kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, and lie. And they have corrupt wishes and wrong view.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ niraye.

Someone with these six qualities is placed in hell as if delivered there.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge.

Someone with six qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Pāṇātipātā paṭivirato hoti, adinnādānā paṭivirato hoti, kāmesumicchācārā paṭivirato hoti, musāvādā paṭivirato hoti, appiccho ca, sammādiṭṭhi ca.

They don’t kill living creatures, steal, commit sexual misconduct, or lie. And they have few desires and right view.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato yathābhataṁ nikkhitto evaṁ sagge”ti.

Someone with these six qualities is placed in heaven as if delivered there.”

Sattamaṁ.

Qualities:

Right view

Right view

View that is in line with the Dhamma — teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth.

Also known as: right understanding, right belief, view that is inline with the Dhamma
Pāli: sammādiṭṭhi
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Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct

Transgression of boundaries in intimate relations—acting on desire in ways that betray trust, cause harm, or violate the commitments of oneself or others.

Also known as: crossing boundaries, infidelity, inappropriate sexual behavior, unfaithfulness to one's partner
Pāli: kāmesumicchācāra
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on July 27, 2026