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

AN 7.26 Awakening Factors

“Satta vo, bhikkhave, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha …pe… katame ca, bhikkhave, satta aparihāniyā dhammā? Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni. Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti …pe… vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessantipītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessantipassaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessantisamādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessantiupekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti; 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.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

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 satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

As long as the mendicants develop the awakening factor of mindfulness …

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū dhammavicayasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti …pe…

investigation of principles …

vīriyasambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti

energy …

pītisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti

rapture …

passaddhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti

tranquility …

samādhisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti

immersion …

upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāvessanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

equanimity, 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.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Topics & 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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Equanimity

Equanimity

A state of mental poise and balance, characterized by non-reactivity and composure in the face of agreeable or disagreeable experiences.

Also known as: mental poise, mental balance, equipose, non-reactivity, composure
Pāli: upekkha
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Investigation

Investigation

Investigation involves the process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: inquiry, contemplation, examination, analysis, exploration
Pāli: vicaya, vīmaṃsā, parikkhati
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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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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Uplifting joy

Uplifting joy

An energetic mental quality that creates a sense of lift or thrill; it ranges from a gentle delight to overwhelming rapture.

Also known as: heartfelt joy, mental exhilaration, rapture, lit. refreshment
Pāli: pīti
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Last updated on July 27, 2026