The Buddha teaches on day and night, presenting a sixfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 6.84 Day and Night

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu mahiccho hoti, vighātavā, asantuṭṭho, itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, assaddho hoti, dussīlo hoti, kusīto hoti, muṭṭhassati hoti, duppañño hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no parihāni. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na mahiccho hoti, avighātavā, santuṭṭho, itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, saddho hoti, sīlavā hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, satimā hoti, paññavā hoti. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā, kusalesu dhammesu no parihānī”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Arahattavaggo aṭṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Dukkhaṁ arahattaṁ uttari ca,
Sukhaṁ adhigamena ca;
Mahantattaṁ dvayaṁ niraye,
Aggadhammañca rattiyoti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi.

“Mendicants, a mendicant with six qualities can expect decline, not growth, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu mahiccho hoti, vighātavā, asantuṭṭho, itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, assaddho hoti, dussīlo hoti, kusīto hoti, muṭṭhassati hoti, duppañño hoti.

It’s when a mendicant has many desires—they’re frustrated and not content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. And they’re faithless, unethical, unmindful, and witless.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati hāniyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no vuddhi.

A mendicant with these six qualities can expect decline, not growth, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā kusalesu dhammesu, no parihāni.

A mendicant with six qualities can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na mahiccho hoti, avighātavā, santuṭṭho, itarītaracīvarapiṇḍapātasenāsanagilānappaccayabhesajjaparikkhārena, saddho hoti, sīlavā hoti, āraddhavīriyo hoti, satimā hoti, paññavā hoti.

It’s when a mendicant doesn’t have many desires—they’re not frustrated but content with any kind of robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. And they’re faithful, ethical, mindful, and wise.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgatassa bhikkhuno ratti divaso āgacchati vuddhiyeva pāṭikaṅkhā, kusalesu dhammesu no parihānī”ti.

A mendicant with these six qualities can expect growth, not decline, in skillful qualities, whether by day or by night.”

Dasamaṁ.

Arahattavaggo aṭṭhamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Dukkhaṁ arahattaṁ uttari ca,

Sukhaṁ adhigamena ca;

Mahantattaṁ dvayaṁ niraye,

Aggadhammañca rattiyoti.

Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
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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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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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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