The Buddha teaches on freed by wisdom, presenting a ninefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 9.44 Freed by Wisdom

“‘Paññāvimutto, paññāvimutto’ti, āvuso, vuccati. Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā”ti?

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti, paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti. Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

Tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“‘Paññāvimutto, paññāvimutto’ti, āvuso, vuccati.

“Reverend, they speak of one ‘freed by wisdom’.

Kittāvatā nu kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā”ti?

What is the one freed by wisdom that the Buddha spoke of?”

“Idhāvuso, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi …pe… paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati,

“First, take a mendicant who, quite secluded from sensual pleasures … enters and remains in the first absorption.

paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti.

And they understand that with wisdom.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā pariyāyena …pe….

To this extent the Buddha spoke of the one freed by wisdom in a qualified sense. …

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, paññāya cassa disvā āsavā parikkhīṇā honti,

Furthermore, take a mendicant who, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling. And, having seen with wisdom, their defilements come to an end.

paññāya ca naṁ pajānāti.

And they understand that with wisdom.

Ettāvatāpi kho, āvuso, paññāvimutto vutto bhagavatā nippariyāyenā”ti.

To this extent the Buddha spoke of the one freed by wisdom in a definitive sense.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

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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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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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