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

AN 6.83 The Best Thing

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu assaddho hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti, kusīto hoti, duppañño hoti, kāye ca jīvite ca sāpekkho hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti, kāye ca jīvite ca anapekkho hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātun”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

“Mendicants, a mendicant with six qualities can’t realize the best thing, perfection.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu assaddho hoti, ahiriko hoti, anottappī hoti, kusīto hoti, duppañño hoti, kāye ca jīvite ca sāpekkho hoti.

It’s when a mendicant is faithless, shameless, imprudent, lazy, and witless. And they’re concerned with their body and their life.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu abhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

A mendicant with these six qualities can’t realize the best thing, perfection.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātuṁ.

A mendicant with six qualities can realize the best thing, perfection.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saddho hoti, hirīmā hoti, ottappī hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, paññavā hoti, kāye ca jīvite ca anapekkho hoti.

It’s when a mendicant is faithful, conscientious, prudent, energetic, and wise. And they have no concern for their body and their life.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo aggaṁ dhammaṁ arahattaṁ sacchikātun”ti.

A mendicant with these six qualities can realize the best thing, perfection.”

Navamaṁ.

Qualities:

Compassion

Compassion

A mental quality of wise empathy in response to suffering, which counters qualities of harm or cruelty.

Also known as: benevolence, concern, sympathy, kindness towards those who are suffering
Pāli: karuṇā, anukampa
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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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Fear of wrongdoing

Fear of wrongdoing

A wholesome dread of misconduct that considers consequences and the censure of the wise. It looks outward—aware of blame, loss of reputation, and the suffering that follows unskillful action—and holds the mind back from crossing ethical boundaries.

Also known as: conscientious, moral dread, respect for others, (comm) originating from outside
Pāli: ottappa
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Last updated on July 27, 2026