The Buddha describes the eight accomplishments—accomplishment in initiative, protection, good friendship, and balanced finances, and accomplishment in faith, ethics, generosity, and and wisdom.

AN 8.75 Accomplishments (1st)

“Aṭṭhimā, bhikkhave, sampadā. Katamā aṭṭha? Uṭṭhānasampadā, ārakkhasampadā, kalyāṇamittatā, samajīvitā, saddhāsampadā, sīlasampadā, cāgasampadā, paññāsampadā imā kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha sampadāti.

Uṭṭhātā kammadheyyesu,
appamatto vidhānavā;
Samaṁ kappeti jīvikaṁ,
sambhataṁ anurakkhati.

Saddho sīlena sampanno,
vadaññū vītamaccharo;
Niccaṁ maggaṁ visodheti,
sotthānaṁ samparāyikaṁ.

Iccete aṭṭha dhammā ca,
saddhassa gharamesino;
Akkhātā saccanāmena,
ubhayattha sukhāvahā.

Diṭṭhadhammahitatthāya,
samparāyasukhāya ca;
Evametaṁ gahaṭṭhānaṁ,
cāgo puññaṁ pavaḍḍhatī”ti.

Pañcamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Aṭṭhimā, bhikkhave, sampadā.

“Mendicants, there are these eight accomplishments.

Katamā aṭṭha?

What eight?

Uṭṭhānasampadā, ārakkhasampadā, kalyāṇamittatā, samajīvitā, saddhāsampadā, sīlasampadā, cāgasampadā, paññāsampadā

Accomplishment in initiative, protection, good friendship, and balanced finances. And accomplishment in faith, ethics, generosity, and wisdom.

imā kho, bhikkhave, aṭṭha sampadāti.

These are the eight accomplishments.

Uṭṭhātā kammadheyyesu,

They’re enterprising in the workplace,

appamatto vidhānavā;

diligent in managing things,

Samaṁ kappeti jīvikaṁ,

they balance their finances,

sambhataṁ anurakkhati.

and preserve their wealth.

Saddho sīlena sampanno,

Faithful, accomplished in ethics,

vadaññū vītamaccharo;

bountiful, rid of stinginess,

Niccaṁ maggaṁ visodheti,

they always purify the path

sotthānaṁ samparāyikaṁ.

to well-being in lives to come.

Iccete aṭṭha dhammā ca,

And so these eight qualities

saddhassa gharamesino;

of a faithful householder of discernment

Akkhātā saccanāmena,

are declared by the one who is truly named

ubhayattha sukhāvahā.

to lead to happiness in both spheres,

Diṭṭhadhammahitatthāya,

welfare and benefit in this life,

samparāyasukhāya ca;

and happiness in lives to come.

Evametaṁ gahaṭṭhānaṁ,

This is how, for a householder,

cāgo puññaṁ pavaḍḍhatī”ti.

merit grows by generosity.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Discernment

Discernment

Clear seeing that distinguishes what is wholesome from unwholesome, true from false.

Also known as: ability to make out distinctions, ability to discriminate, distinguish, clear seeing, penetrating internal vision
Pāli: viveka, nipaka, niccheyya
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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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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Good friendship

Good friendship

Association with those who are virtuous and wise, who encourage faith, ethical conduct, and discernment. Good friendship is the chief support for progress on the path, guiding one toward right view and wholesome living.

Also known as: friendship with wholesome persons
Pāli: kalyāṇamittatā
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Happiness

Happiness

Bodily ease and comfort; a pleasant feeling experienced with the body. In the third jhāna, one dwells experiencing this pleasure with the body. It is abandoned, along with bodily pain, for the fourth jhāna to arise.

Also known as: pleasant abiding, positive state of mind, sense of ease
Pāli: sukha
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Merit

Merit

Wholesome result of good conduct, generosity, and right intention. Merit brightens the mind and supports happiness and favorable conditions for practice.

Also known as: good deeds, spiritual wealth
Pāli: puñña, kalyāṇa
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Last updated on July 27, 2026