The Buddha describes the seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants.

AN 7.24 Non-Decline for Mendicants (2nd) -

“Satta vo, bhikkhave, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha …pe… katame ca, bhikkhave, satta aparihāniyā dhammā?

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū na kammārāmā bhavissanti, na kammaratā, na kammārāmataṁ anuyuttā; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū na bhassārāmā bhavissanti …pe… na niddārāmā bhavissantina saṅgaṇikārāmā bhavissantina pāpicchā bhavissanti na pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gatāna pāpamittā bhavissanti na pāpasahāyā na pāpasampavaṅkāna oramattakena visesādhigamena antarāvosānaṁ āpajjissanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, ime satta aparihāniyā dhammā bhikkhūsu ṭhassanti, imesu ca sattasu aparihāniyesu dhammesu bhikkhū sandississanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihānī”ti.

Catutthaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Satta vo, bhikkhave, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi.

“Mendicants, I will teach you seven principles that prevent decline.

Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha …pe…

Listen and apply your mind well …

katame ca, bhikkhave, satta aparihāniyā dhammā?

And what are the seven principles that prevent decline?

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū na kammārāmā bhavissanti, na kammaratā, na kammārāmataṁ anuyuttā; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long as the mendicants don’t relish work, loving it and liking to relish it, they can expect growth, not decline.

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū na bhassārāmā bhavissanti …pe…

As long as they don’t enjoy talk …

na niddārāmā bhavissanti

sleep …

na saṅgaṇikārāmā bhavissanti

company …

na pāpicchā bhavissanti na pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gatā

they don’t have corrupt wishes, falling under the sway of corrupt wishes …

na pāpamittā bhavissanti na pāpasahāyā na pāpasampavaṅkā

they don’t have bad friends, companions, and associates …

na oramattakena visesādhigamena antarāvosānaṁ āpajjissanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

they don’t stop half-way after achieving some trifling distinction, they can expect growth, not decline.

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, ime satta aparihāniyā dhammā bhikkhūsu ṭhassanti, imesu ca sattasu aparihāniyesu dhammesu bhikkhū sandississanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihānī”ti.

As long as these seven principles that prevent decline last among the mendicants, and as long as the mendicants are seen following them, they can expect growth, not decline.”

Catutthaṁ.

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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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Last updated on July 27, 2026