The Buddha teaches that nine things should be developed for insight into and the complete ending of greed, hate, delusion, and other unwholesome qualities.

AN 9.94 Untitled Discourse on Greed (2nd)

“Rāgassa, bhikkhave, abhiññāya nava dhammā bhāvetabbā. Katame nava? Paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ, dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ, tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ, catutthaṁ jhānaṁ, ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ, viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ, ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ, nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ, saññāvedayitanirodho rāgassa, bhikkhave, abhiññāya ime nava dhammā bhāvetabbā”ti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Rāgassa, bhikkhave, abhiññāya nava dhammā bhāvetabbā.

“For insight into greed, nine things should be developed.

Katame nava?

What nine?

Paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ, dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ, tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ, catutthaṁ jhānaṁ, ākāsānañcāyatanaṁ, viññāṇañcāyatanaṁ, ākiñcaññāyatanaṁ, nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ, saññāvedayitanirodho

The first absorption, the second absorption, the third absorption, the fourth absorption, the dimension of infinite space, the dimension of infinite consciousness, the dimension of nothingness, the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, and the cessation of perception and feeling.

rāgassa, bhikkhave, abhiññāya ime nava dhammā bhāvetabbā”ti.

For insight into greed, these nine things should be developed.”

Topics & Qualities:

Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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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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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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Insight

Insight

Insight is deep, intuitive realization that transforms understanding and guides practice.

Also known as: having insight, with understanding, right knowledge
Pāli: ñāṇa, sammāñāṇa
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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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Last updated on July 27, 2026