The Buddha teaches on good enough, presenting a eightfold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 8.62 Good Enough

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ. Katamehi chahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti; kalyāṇavāco ca hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā; sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ. Katamehi pañcahi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti; kalyāṇavāco ca hoti …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā; sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ.

Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano nālaṁ paresaṁ. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti; no ca kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā; no ca sandassako hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano nālaṁ paresaṁ.

Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ nālaṁ attano. Katamehi catūhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; no ca dhātānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; na ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti; kalyāṇavāco ca hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā; sandassako ca hoti …pe… sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano.

Tīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano nālaṁ paresaṁ. Katamehi tīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti; no ca kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā; no ca sandassako hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano, nālaṁ paresaṁ.

Tīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano. Katamehi tīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; no ca dhātānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; no ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti; kalyāṇavāco ca hoti …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā; sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano, nālaṁ paresaṁ. Katamehi dvīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; no ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti; no ca kalyāṇavāco hoti …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā; no ca sandassako hoti …pe… sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano, nālaṁ paresaṁ.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano. Katamehi dvīhi? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu; no ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti; no ca dhātānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti; no ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti; kalyāṇavāco ca hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā; sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ. Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano”ti.

Dutiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ.

“Mendicants, a mendicant with six qualities is good enough for themselves and others.

Katamehi chahi?

What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

They examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized.

atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti;

Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching.

kalyāṇavāco ca hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā;

They’re a good speaker who enunciates well. Their voice is polished, clear, articulate, and expresses the meaning.

sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with these six qualities is good enough for themselves and others.

Pañcahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with five qualities is good enough for themselves and others.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is not quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

They examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized.

atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti;

Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching.

kalyāṇavāco ca hoti …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā;

They’re a good speaker. Their voice is polished, clear, articulate, and expresses the meaning.

sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano alaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with these five qualities is good enough for themselves and others.

Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano nālaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with four qualities is good enough for themselves but not for others.

Katamehi catūhi?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

They examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized.

atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti;

Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching.

no ca kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā;

But they’re not a good speaker and do not enunciate well. Their voice isn’t polished, clear, articulate, and doesn’t express the meaning.

no ca sandassako hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They don’t educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano nālaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with these four qualities is good enough for themselves but not for others.

Catūhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ nālaṁ attano.

A mendicant with four qualities is good enough for others but not for themselves.

Katamehi catūhi?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

no ca dhātānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

But they don’t examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized.

na ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti;

Not understanding the meaning and the teaching, they don’t practice in line with the teaching.

kalyāṇavāco ca hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā;

They’re a good speaker who enunciates well. Their voice is polished, clear, articulate, and expresses the meaning.

sandassako ca hoti …pe… sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, catūhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano.

A mendicant with these four qualities is good enough for others but not for themselves.

Tīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano nālaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with three qualities is good enough for themselves but not for others.

Katamehi tīhi?

What three?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is not quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

They examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized.

atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti;

Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching.

no ca kalyāṇavāco hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā;

But they’re not a good speaker and do not enunciate well. Their voice isn’t polished, clear, articulate, and doesn’t express the meaning.

no ca sandassako hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They don’t educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano, nālaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with these three qualities is good enough for themselves but not for others.

Tīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano.

A mendicant with three qualities is good enough for others but not for themselves.

Katamehi tīhi?

What three?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is not quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

sutānañca dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

They readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

no ca dhātānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

But they don’t examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized.

no ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti;

Not understanding the meaning and the teaching, they don’t practice in line with the teaching.

kalyāṇavāco ca hoti …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā;

They’re a good speaker. Their voice is polished, clear, articulate, and expresses the meaning.

sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, tīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano.

A mendicant with these three qualities is good enough for others but not for themselves.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano, nālaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with two qualities is good enough for themselves but not for others.

Katamehi dvīhi?

What two?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is not quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

no ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

And they don’t readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

dhātānañca dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

But they examine the meaning of teachings they have memorized.

atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno ca hoti;

Understanding the meaning and the teaching, they practice in line with the teaching.

no ca kalyāṇavāco hoti …pe… atthassa viññāpaniyā;

They’re not a good speaker. Their voice isn’t polished, clear, articulate, and doesn’t express the meaning.

no ca sandassako hoti …pe… sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They don’t educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ attano, nālaṁ paresaṁ.

A mendicant with these two qualities is good enough for themselves but not for others.

Dvīhi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano.

A mendicant with two qualities is good enough for others but not for themselves.

Katamehi dvīhi?

What two?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na heva kho khippanisanti ca hoti kusalesu dhammesu;

A mendicant is not quick-witted when it comes to skillful teachings.

no ca sutānaṁ dhammānaṁ dhāraṇajātiko hoti;

And they don’t readily memorize the teachings they’ve heard.

no ca dhātānaṁ dhammānaṁ atthūpaparikkhitā hoti;

Nor do they examine the meaning of teachings they’ve memorized.

no ca atthamaññāya dhammamaññāya dhammānudhammappaṭipanno hoti;

Not understanding the meaning and the teaching, they don’t practice in line with the teaching.

kalyāṇavāco ca hoti kalyāṇavākkaraṇo, poriyā vācāya samannāgato vissaṭṭhāya anelagaḷāya atthassa viññāpaniyā;

But they’re a good speaker who enunciates well. Their voice is polished, clear, articulate, and expresses the meaning.

sandassako ca hoti samādapako samuttejako sampahaṁsako sabrahmacārīnaṁ.

They educate, encourage, fire up, and inspire their spiritual companions.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, dvīhi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu alaṁ paresaṁ, nālaṁ attano”ti.

A mendicant with these two qualities is good enough for others but not for themselves.”

Dutiyaṁ.

Qualities:

Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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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