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

AN 6.87 A Murderer

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ. Katamehi chahi? Mātā jīvitā voropitā hoti, pitā jīvitā voropito hoti, arahaṁ jīvitā voropito hoti, tathāgatassa duṭṭhena cittena lohitaṁ uppāditaṁ hoti, saṅgho bhinno hoti, duppañño hoti jaḷo eḷamūgo. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ. Katamehi chahi? Na mātā jīvitā voropitā hoti, na pitā jīvitā voropito hoti, na arahaṁ jīvitā voropito hoti, na tathāgatassa duṭṭhena cittena lohitaṁ uppāditaṁ hoti, na saṅgho bhinno hoti, paññavā hoti ajaḷo aneḷamūgo. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattan”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

“Mendicants, someone with six qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities even when listening to the true teaching.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Mātā jīvitā voropitā hoti, pitā jīvitā voropito hoti, arahaṁ jīvitā voropito hoti, tathāgatassa duṭṭhena cittena lohitaṁ uppāditaṁ hoti, saṅgho bhinno hoti, duppañño hoti jaḷo eḷamūgo.

They murder their mother or father or a perfected one. They maliciously shed the blood of a Realized One. They cause a schism in the Saṅgha. They’re witless, dull, and idiotic.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇantopi saddhammaṁ abhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

Someone with these six qualities is unable to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities, even when listening to the true teaching.

Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattaṁ.

Someone with six qualities is able to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Na mātā jīvitā voropitā hoti, na pitā jīvitā voropito hoti, na arahaṁ jīvitā voropito hoti, na tathāgatassa duṭṭhena cittena lohitaṁ uppāditaṁ hoti, na saṅgho bhinno hoti, paññavā hoti ajaḷo aneḷamūgo.

They don’t murder their mother or father or a perfected one. They don’t maliciously shed the blood of a Realized One. They don’t cause a schism in the Saṅgha. They’re wise, bright, and clever.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato suṇanto saddhammaṁ bhabbo niyāmaṁ okkamituṁ kusalesu dhammesu sammattan”ti.

Someone with these six qualities is able to step into the sure path with regards to skillful qualities when listening to the true teaching.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Qualities:

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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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