The Buddha teaches on weaknesses in training and mindfulness meditation, presenting a ninefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 9.63 Weaknesses in Training and Mindfulness Meditation

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, sikkhādubbalyāni. Katamāni pañca? Pāṇātipāto, adinnādānaṁ, kāmesumicchācāro, musāvādo, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānaṁ imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca sikkhādubbalyāni.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ sikkhādubbalyānaṁ pahānāya cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā. Katame cattāro? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu …pe… cittedhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ sikkhādubbalyānaṁ pahānāya ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā”ti.

Paṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, sikkhādubbalyāni.

“Mendicants, there are these five weaknesses when you’re training.

Katamāni pañca?

What five?

Pāṇātipāto, adinnādānaṁ, kāmesumicchācāro, musāvādo, surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānaṁ

Killing living creatures, stealing, sexual misconduct, lying, and intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor.

imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca sikkhādubbalyāni.

These are the five weaknesses when you’re training.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ sikkhādubbalyānaṁ pahānāya cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā.

To give up these five weaknesses in your training you should develop the four kinds of mindfulness meditation.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ;

It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

vedanāsu …pe…

They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …

citte

They meditate observing an aspect of the mind …

dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

They meditate observing an aspect of principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ sikkhādubbalyānaṁ pahānāya ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā”ti.

To give up those five weaknesses in your training you should develop these four kinds of mindfulness meditation.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Displeasure

Displeasure

A feeling of mental pain or a disagreeable feeling or unease born of mental contact.

Also known as: mental pain, mental distress, melancholy, sadness
Pāli: domanassa
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Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
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Jealousy

Jealousy

A painful mental state that arises when seeing the good fortune or qualities of others. It begrudges what others have and resents their happiness, closing the heart to appreciative joy.

Also known as: covetousness, envy, possessiveness, protective of, unwilling to part with
Pāli: issā
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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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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Last updated on July 27, 2026