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

AN 7.27 Perceptions

“Satta vo, bhikkhave, aparihāniye dhamme desessāmi. Taṁ suṇātha, sādhukaṁ manasi karotha …pe…. Katame ca, bhikkhave, satta aparihāniyā dhammā? Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū aniccasaññaṁ bhāvessanti; vuddhiyeva, bhikkhave, bhikkhūnaṁ pāṭikaṅkhā, no parihāni.

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū anattasaññaṁ bhāvessanti …pe… asubhasaññaṁ bhāvessantiādīnavasaññaṁ bhāvessantipahānasaññaṁ bhāvessantivirāgasaññaṁ bhāvessantinirodhasaññaṁ 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.

Sattamaṁ.

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

As long as the mendicants develop the perception of impermanence …

Yāvakīvañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhū anattasaññaṁ bhāvessanti …pe…

not-self …

asubhasaññaṁ bhāvessanti

ugliness …

ādīnavasaññaṁ bhāvessanti

drawbacks …

pahānasaññaṁ bhāvessanti

giving up …

virāgasaññaṁ bhāvessanti

fading away …

nirodhasaññaṁ bhāvessanti;

cessation,

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.

they can expect growth, not decline. 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.”

Sattamaṁ.

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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Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Recognition of impermanence

Recognition of impermanence

Perceiving all conditioned things as unstable and transient. This recognition weakens attachment by revealing the continual arising and ceasing of phenomena, turning the mind toward wisdom and release.

Also known as: perception of impermanence, perception of instability, realization of transience
Pāli: aniccasaññā
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Last updated on July 27, 2026