This chapter contains discourses that explore sets of seven qualities, concepts, or principles foundational to the Buddha's teachings. Each sutta examines groups such as the seven factors of enlightenment, the seven kinds of wealth, or the seven types of noble persons. These teachings highlight the significance of these elements in the practice of the Dhamma and their role in supporting spiritual development. The "Book of Sevens" offers deep insights into how these grouped qualities work together to guide practitioners on the way of practice to enlightenment.
The Book of the Sevens
Dhana vagga - The Chapter on Wealth
The Chapter on Wealth in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 1–10.
The Buddha describes the seven powers in brief, of 1) faith, 2) energy, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) mindfulness, 6) collectedness, and 7) wisdom.
PTS 4.3The Buddha describes the seven powers in detail, of 1) faith, 2) energy, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) mindfulness, 6) collectedness, and 7) wisdom.
PTS 4.3The Buddha describes the seven kinds of wealth in brief, of 1) faith, 2) virtue, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) learning, 6) generosity, and 7) wisdom.
PTS 4.4The Buddha describes the seven kinds of wealth in detail, of 1) faith, 2) virtue, 3) conscience, 4) fear of wrongdoing, 5) learning, 6) generosity, and 7) wisdom. One who possesses these is not truly poor, and their life is not lived in vain.
PTS 4.5Migāra of Rohaṇa is a wealthy man, but even his riches are vulnerable to the vicissitudes of life, unlike the seven kinds of wealth the Buddha describes which cannot be taken away.
PTS 4.6The Buddha lists the seven fetters that bind beings.
PTS 4.7The Buddha lists the seven fetters that bind beings.
PTS 4.8Anusaya vagga - The Chapter on Tendencies
The Chapter on Tendencies in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 11–20.
The Buddha describes the seven underlying tendencies toward 1) sensual desire, 2) aversion, 3) views, 4) doubt, 5) conceit, 6) passion for existence, and 7) ignorance that are present in living beings.
PTS 4.9The spiritual life is lived for the abandoning and complete uprooting of the seven underlying tendencies toward 1) sensual desire, 2) aversion, 3) views, 4) doubt, 5) conceit, 6) passion for existence, and 7) ignorance.
PTS 4.9The Buddha shares seven factors that make a family unsuitable to approach or sit with, such as failing to greet pleasantly, concealing wealth, or giving disrespectfully.
PTS 4.10The Buddha identifies seven types of persons worthy of offerings who act as the world's unsurpassed field of merit, including those liberated by wisdom and Dhamma-followers.
PTS 4.10The Buddha describes seven kinds of persons and likens them to those in water — from those submerged in unwholesomeness to those who cross over fully. They represent the stages from spiritual stagnation to full awakening, including stream-enterers, once-returners, non-returners, and arahants.
PTS 4.11–4.12Seven types of noble persons are worthy of offerings. By constantly observing impermanence in all conditions, they attain liberation, ranging from Arahants who exhaust the taints in this life to different types of Non-Returners.
PTS 4.13Noble persons attain liberation by observing unsatisfactoriness in all conditions.
PTS 4.14Noble persons attain liberation by observing not-self in all phenomena.
PTS 4.14The Buddha describes the seven grounds for maturity, of 1.) undertaking the training precepts, 2.) attending carefully to the Dhamma, 3.) removing longing, 4.) seclusion, 5.) arousing energy, 6.) skilled mindfulness, and 7.) realization of right view.
PTS 4.15Vajjisattaka vagga - The Chapter on the Vajji Seven
The Chapter on the Vajji Seven in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 21–31.
The Buddha explains seven things that lead to the decline of a trainee bhikkhu and seven things that do not.
PTS 4.24The Buddha explains seven principles that lead to the decline of a lay follower and seven principles that lead to non-decline.
PTS 4.25The Buddha explains seven principles that lead to the misfortune of a lay follower and seven principles that lead to success.
PTS 4.26Devatā vagga - The Chapter on Deities
The Chapter on Deities in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 32–43.
Seven qualities that lead to wielding mastery over the mind.
PTS 4.34–4.36Endowed with seven qualities, Sāriputta wields mastery over the mind.
PTS 4.34–4.36Mahāyañña vagga - The Chapter on a Great Sacrifice
The Chapter on a Great Sacrifice in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 44–53.
The Buddha describes the seven planes of consciousness, ranging from beings with diverse bodies and perceptions to those perceiving nothingness.
PTS 4.39Seven perceptions, of 1) unattractiveness, 2) death, 3) unpleasantness of food, 4) non-delight in the whole world, 5) impermanence, 6) unsatisfactoriness in impermanence, and 7) not-self in unsatisfactoriness, that when cultivated and frequently practiced lead to the deathless, in brief.
PTS 4.46–4.53Seven perceptions, of 1) unattractiveness, 2) death, 3) unpleasantness of food, 4) non-delight in the whole world, 5) impermanence, 6) unsatisfactoriness in impermanence, and 7) not-self in unsatisfactoriness, that when cultivated and frequently practiced lead to the deathless, in detail.
PTS 4.46–4.53After the lay disciple Nandamātā is visited by the deity Vessavaṇa, she recounts the event to the venerable Sāriputta. She then lists her seven wonderful and marvelous qualities, including profound equanimity in the face of tragedy, her attainment of the four jhānas, and her attainment of non-returning.
PTS 4.63–4.66Abyākata vagga - The Chapter on the Undeclared Points
The Chapter on the Undeclared Points in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 54–64.
When venerable Mahāmoggallāna was struggling with drowsiness, the Buddha gave him seven methods to overcome it. Moving beyond wakefulness, the discourse warns against pride and contentious talk, ultimately revealing how letting go leads to the exhaustion of craving and complete quenching.
PTS 4.85–4.87Mahā vagga - The Great Chapter
The Great Chapter in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 65–74.
Through a simile of a tree, the Buddha describes the importance of the sense of right and wrong and fear of wrongdoing as the foundation for cultivating wholesome qualities and the path to liberation.
PTS 4.99Using the metaphor of a well-provisioned frontier fortress, the Buddha outlines the safeguards of the spiritual life. Equipped with seven good qualities and nourished by the four jhānas, a noble disciple’s mind becomes a fortress that cannot be overrun by Māra.
PTS 4.106–4.112Vinaya vagga - The Chapter on the Monastic Law
The Chapter on the Monastic Law in the Book of the Sevens, containing discourses 75–84.
The Buddha advises Venerable Upāli on how to discern what is the Teacher’s Instruction by seeing if it leads to these seven things.
PTS 4.143