There is no other single internal factor as helpful as wise attention for a trainee bhikkhu who is aspiring for the highest goal.

ITI 16  Paṭhama sekha sutta - Trainee (First)

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Sekhassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appattamānasassa anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ patthayamānassa viharato ajjhattikaṁ aṅganti karitvā nāññaṁ ekaṅgampi samanupassāmi yaṁ evaṁ bahūpakāraṁ yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasikāro. Yoniso, bhikkhave, bhikkhu manasi karonto akusalaṁ pajahati, kusalaṁ bhāvetī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, for a |trainee::learner, one of the seven stages of a noble person before full awakening [sekha]| bhikkhu whose mind has not yet reached its goal, who dwells |aspiring::wishing, desiring [patthayamāna]| for the |unsurpassed::highest, incomparable [anuttara]| security from bondage, I do not see any other single internal factor that is so helpful as |wise attention::proper attention, prudent use of the mind, wise reflection, attention to the source [yoniso + manasikāra]|. |Bhikkhus, a::::A| bhikkhu attending wisely abandons the unwholesome and |cultivates::develops [bhāveti]| the wholesome.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Yonisomanasikāro,
dhammo sekhassa bhikkhuno;
Natthañño evaṁ bahukāro,
uttamatthassa pattiyā;
Yoniso padahaṁ bhikkhu,
khayaṁ dukkhassa pāpuṇe”ti.

“Wise attention is a quality
of the trainee bhikkhu;
no other factor is so helpful
for attaining the highest goal.
The bhikkhu who strives |thoroughly::properly, intelligently [yoniso]|,
reaches the end of |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

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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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Wise attention

Wise attention

Paying attention to the point of contact where experience originates. It discerns the specific cause of the present moment, preventing the mind from drifting into proliferation.

Also known as: proper attention, prudent use of the mind, attention to the source
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Last updated on April 16, 2026