The Buddha teaches on respect for diligence, presenting a sevenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 7.32 Respect for Diligence

Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

“Sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, appamādagāravatā, paṭisanthāragāravatā. Ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī”ti.

Idamavoca devatā. Samanuñño satthā ahosi. Atha kho devatā “samanuñño me satthā”ti bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyi.

Atha kho bhagavā tassā rattiyā accayena bhikkhū āmantesi: “imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, devatā maṁ etadavoca: ‘sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, appamādagāravatā, paṭisanthāragāravatā ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.

Idamavoca, bhikkhave, devatā. Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.

Satthugaru dhammagaru,
saṅghe ca tibbagāravo;
Samādhigaru ātāpī,
sikkhāya tibbagāravo.

Appamādagaru bhikkhu,
paṭisanthāragāravo;
Abhabbo parihānāya,
nibbānasseva santike”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Atha kho aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho devatā bhagavantaṁ etadavoca:

Then, late at night, a glorious deity, lighting up the entire Jeta’s Grove, went up to the Buddha, bowed, stood to one side, and said to him:

“Sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti.

“Sir, these seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.

Katame satta?

What seven?

Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, appamādagāravatā, paṭisanthāragāravatā.

Respect for the Teacher, for the teaching, for the Saṅgha, for the training, for immersion, for diligence, and for hospitality.

Ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī”ti.

These seven things don’t lead to the decline of a mendicant.”

Idamavoca devatā.

That’s what that deity said,

Samanuñño satthā ahosi.

and the teacher approved.

Atha kho devatā “samanuñño me satthā”ti bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyi.

Then that deity, knowing that the teacher approved, bowed and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before vanishing right there.

Atha kho bhagavā tassā rattiyā accayena bhikkhū āmantesi:

Then, when the night had passed, the Buddha told the mendicants all that had happened, adding:

“imaṁ, bhikkhave, rattiṁ aññatarā devatā abhikkantāya rattiyā abhikkantavaṇṇā kevalakappaṁ jetavanaṁ obhāsetvā yenāhaṁ tenupasaṅkami; upasaṅkamitvā maṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ aṭṭhāsi. Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho, bhikkhave, devatā maṁ etadavoca:

‘sattime, bhante, dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti.

Katame satta?

Satthugāravatā, dhammagāravatā, saṅghagāravatā, sikkhāgāravatā, samādhigāravatā, appamādagāravatā, paṭisanthāragāravatā

ime kho, bhante, satta dhammā bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī’ti.

Idamavoca, bhikkhave, devatā.

Idaṁ vatvā maṁ abhivādetvā padakkhiṇaṁ katvā tatthevantaradhāyīti.

Satthugaru dhammagaru,

“Respect for the Teacher and the teaching,

saṅghe ca tibbagāravo;

and keen respect for the Saṅgha;

Samādhigaru ātāpī,

respect for immersion, being energetic,

sikkhāya tibbagāravo.

and keen respect for the training.

Appamādagaru bhikkhu,

A mendicant who respects diligence

paṭisanthāragāravo;

and hospitality

Abhabbo parihānāya,

can’t decline,

nibbānasseva santike”ti.

and has drawn near to extinguishment.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Diligence

Diligence

The protective quality of guarding the mind amidst sensory experience. By restraining the faculties, the mind remains unsoiled by attraction.

Also known as: alertness, carefulness, heedfulness, conscientiousness, vigilance
Pāli: appamāda, uṭṭhāna
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Respect

Respect

A mental attitude of reverent attentiveness that values goodness and wisdom in oneself and others. It steadies conduct and opens the mind to learning and humility.

Also known as: reverence, veneration, regard, admiration, appreciation, deference, honour, attentiveness
Pāli: gārava, pūjā, sakkāra
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Rousing of energy

Rousing of energy

The arousing of effort and determination in body and mind. It begins with confidence and reflection on purpose, stirring energy for wholesome action.

Also known as: determination, being energetic, taking initiative, making a mental decision to act
Pāli: vīriyārambha, āraddhavīriya, uṭṭhānavant, atandita, pahitatta
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Last updated on July 27, 2026