The Buddha teaches on weaknesses in training and the bases of psychic power, presenting a ninefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 9.83 Weaknesses in Training and the Bases of Psychic Power

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, sikkhādubbalyāni. Katamāni pañca? Pāṇātipāto …pe… surāmerayamajjapamādaṭṭhānaṁ imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañca sikkhādubbalyāni.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ sikkhādubbalyānaṁ pahānāya cattāro iddhipādā bhāvetabbā. Katame cattāro? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīriyasamādhicittasamādhivīmaṁsāsamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ sikkhādubbalyānaṁ pahānāya ime cattāro iddhipādā 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 …pe… 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 iddhipādā bhāvetabbā.

To give up these five weaknesses in your training you should develop the four bases of psychic power.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti,

It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm, and active effort.

vīriyasamādhi

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to energy, and active effort.

cittasamādhi

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to mental development, and active effort.

vīmaṁsāsamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to inquiry, and active effort.

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

To give up these five weaknesses in your training you should develop these four bases of psychic power.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

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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Psychic power

Psychic power

Supernormal capacities resulting from a practice of collectedness rooted in aspiration, determination, purification of mind, and investigation of phenomena.

Also known as: supernormal abilities, psychic ability, spiritual power
Pāli: iddhi, iddhimant
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Sexual misconduct

Sexual misconduct

Transgression of boundaries in intimate relations—acting on desire in ways that betray trust, cause harm, or violate the commitments of oneself or others.

Also known as: crossing boundaries, infidelity, inappropriate sexual behavior, unfaithfulness to one's partner
Pāli: kāmesumicchācāra
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Slaughtering

Slaughtering

The deliberate killing of a living being, carried out with the intention of ending its life while disregarding its natural drive to continue living.

Also known as: killing, murdering, taking life
Pāli: pāṇātipāta
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Stealing

Stealing

Also known as: theft, taking what is not given, taking what is not offerred, dishonesty regarding possessions
Pāli: adinnādānā
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Vigour

Vigour

Energetic effort and resilience in practice. It is the refusal to shrink back, the 'uphill' force that initiates and sustains wholesome actions against the gravity of habit.

Also known as: energy, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, application of will, persistence
Pāli: vīriya
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Last updated on July 27, 2026