The Buddha teaches on textual analysis (1st), presenting a sevenfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 7.38 Textual Analysis (1st)

“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyya. Katamehi sattahi?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘idaṁ me cetaso līnattan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;

ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ ‘ajjhattaṁ me saṅkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;

bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ ‘bahiddhā me vikkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;

tassa viditā vedanā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;

viditā saññā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;

viditā vitakkā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;

sappāyāsappāyesu kho panassa dhammesu hīnappaṇītesu kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgesu nimittaṁ suggahitaṁ hoti sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyā”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Sattahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyya.

“Mendicants, a mendicant with seven qualities will soon realize the four kinds of textual analysis and live having achieved them with their own insight.

Katamehi sattahi?

What seven?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu ‘idaṁ me cetaso līnattan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;

It’s when a mendicant truly understands: ‘This is mental sluggishness’.

ajjhattaṁ saṅkhittaṁ cittaṁ ‘ajjhattaṁ me saṅkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;

They truly understand internally constricted mind as ‘internally constricted mind’.

bahiddhā vikkhittaṁ cittaṁ ‘bahiddhā me vikkhittaṁ cittan’ti yathābhūtaṁ pajānāti;

They truly understand externally scattered mind as ‘externally scattered mind’.

tassa viditā vedanā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;

They know feelings as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.

viditā saññā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;

They know perceptions as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.

viditā vitakkā uppajjanti, viditā upaṭṭhahanti, viditā abbhatthaṁ gacchanti;

They know thoughts as they arise, as they remain, and as they go away.

sappāyāsappāyesu kho panassa dhammesu hīnappaṇītesu kaṇhasukkasappaṭibhāgesu nimittaṁ suggahitaṁ hoti sumanasikataṁ sūpadhāritaṁ suppaṭividdhaṁ paññāya.

The patterns of qualities—suitable or unsuitable, inferior or superior, or those with a portion of dark or bright—are properly grasped, focused on, borne in mind, and penetrated with wisdom.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, sattahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu nacirasseva catasso paṭisambhidā sayaṁ abhiññā sacchikatvā upasampajja vihareyyā”ti.

A mendicant with these seven qualities will soon realize the four kinds of textual analysis and live having achieved them with their own insight.”

Sattamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Dullness

Dullness

Mental stagnation and lack of driving power. It is an inertia where the mind feels thick and incapable of active engagement or investigation.

Also known as: lack of mental clarity or alertness, inertia, mental sluggishness, inattentiveness or lack of sharpness
Pāli: thina
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Insight

Insight

Insight is deep, intuitive realization that transforms understanding and guides practice.

Also known as: having insight, with understanding, right knowledge
Pāli: ñāṇa, sammāñāṇa
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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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Laziness

Laziness

Unwillingness or lack of energy and motivation to engage in wholesome activities or exert effort, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth.

Also known as: sloth, indolence, sluggishness, idleness, inactivity
Pāli: kosajja, tandī, ālasya, kusīta
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026