DiscoverANAN 7AN 7.25

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

AN 7.25 Non-Decline for Mendicants (3rd) -

“Satta vo, bhikkhave, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha …pe… katame ca, bhikkhave, satta aparihāniyā dhammā? Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū saddhā bhavissanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni. Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū hirimanto bhavissanti …pe… ottappino bhavissanti … bahussutā bhavissanti … āraddhavīriyā bhavissanti … satimanto bhavissanti … paññavanto bhavissanti; 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.

Pañcamaṁ.

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 saddhā bhavissanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long as the mendicants are faithful …

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū hirimanto bhavissanti …pe…

conscientious …

ottappino bhavissanti …

prudent …

bahussutā bhavissanti …

learned …

āraddhavīriyā bhavissanti …

energetic …

satimanto bhavissanti …

mindful …

paññavanto bhavissanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

wise, 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.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

☀️ bright quality

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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Faith

Faith

☀️ bright quality

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

☀️ bright quality

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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Learning

Learning

☀️ bright quality

One who has broad learning and retention of the Dhamma, gained through hearing, reciting, and carefully investigating the teachings. Such learning penetrates their meaning through discernment and serves as a strong support for practice.

Also known as: having knowledge, well studied
Pāli: bahussuta, suta
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

☀️ bright quality

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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Last updated on July 27, 2026

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