Joy View in explorer

17 discourses
A fresh and mild happiness arising from a sense of spiritual well-being and a clear conscience
Also known as: cheerfulness, gladness, wellbeing
Pāli: pāmojja, somanassa
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Non Regret

Non-regret

A mental quality of not regretting past actions, characterized by a clear conscience and absence of remorse; it arises from accomplishment in ethical conduct

Also known as: non-remorse, lit. not remembering back negatively
Pāli: avippaṭisāra
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Leads to
Uplifting joy

Uplifting joy

An energetic mental quality that creates a sense of lift or thrill; it ranges from a gentle delight to overwhelming rapture.

Also known as: heartfelt joy, mental exhilaration, rapture, lit. refreshment
Pāli: pīti
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Related
Contentment

Contentment

The quality of being satisfied with the requisites one has and with the present conditions, resulting in having few desires and being free from agitation.

Also known as: fewness of wishes, having few desires, satisfaction, sense of ease
Pāli: santutthi, appicchatā, tuṭṭha, tosana
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Happiness

Happiness

Bodily ease and comfort; a pleasant feeling experienced with the body. In the third jhāna, one dwells experiencing this pleasure with the body. It is abandoned, along with bodily pain, for the fourth jhāna to arise.

Also known as: pleasant abiding, positive state of mind, sense of ease
Pāli: sukha
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Opposite
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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Discourses

MN 15 Anumāna sutta - Inference

The venerable Mahāmoggallāna enumerates sixteen unwholesome qualities, such as being irritable, a denigrator, and deceitful, that make someone difficult to admonish. He then teaches the method of self-inference—understanding that our flaws are just as disagreeable to others as theirs are to us.

PTS 1.95–1.100

SN 47.10 Bhikkhunupassaya sutta - The Bhikkhunīs’ Quarters

The Buddha teaches Ānanda about directed and undirected meditation. When mental fever, sluggishness, or distraction arises during mindfulness practice, one directs the mind to an inspiring theme to arouse joy, tranquility, and collectedness.

PTS 5.154–5.157

AN 5.26 Vimuttāyatana sutta - Causes for Liberation

The Buddha explains the five causes for liberation, which include hearing the Dhamma, teaching the Dhamma to others, reciting the Dhamma, reflecting on the Dhamma, and attending to a theme of mental stillness.

PTS 3.21–3.23

AN 11.1 Kimatthiya sutta - For What Purpose

Venerable Ānanda asks the Buddha about the purpose and benefit of wholesome ethical conduct. The Buddha explains gradual benefits of wholesome ethical conduct, starting with the immediate one of non-regret to the ultimate one of understanding and insight into liberation.

PTS 5.311

MN 68 Naḷakapāna sutta - At Naḷakapāna

The Buddha asks venerable Anuruddha and his companions about their spiritual progress, warning that without the bliss of jhāna, the mind remains vulnerable to hindrances. He then explains why he reveals the rebirth destinations of deceased disciples: not for fame or flattery, but to inspire others to emulate their virtue and wisdom, bringing them lasting welfare and happiness.

PTS 1.462–1.468

ITI 37 Somanassa sutta - Joy

A bhikkhu endowed with two qualities of being moved on occasions that inspire a sense of urgency and by radically striving when aroused with urgency, dwells in the here and now with abundant ease and joy, and his mind is directed towards the wearing away of the taints.

PTS 29–30

SNP 2.1 Ratana sutta - Gem

Addressed to earthly and celestial beings, this discourse makes a powerful declaration of truth regarding the peerless qualities of the Awakened One, the deathless Dhamma, and the noble Saṅgha.

PTS 39–41

AN 6.20 Dutiya maraṇassati sutta - Recollection Of Death (Second)

The Buddha explains how to cultivate recollection of death so that it is of great fruit and great benefit, and leads to the deathless.

PTS 3.306–3.308

AN 11.2 Cetanākaraṇīya Sutta — Deliberate Intention

The Buddha illustrates how the path to liberation unfolds organically, with each wholesome quality naturally giving rise to the next without the need for forced willpower. Wholesome ethical conduct organically gives rise to non-regret, joy, and successive refined states, flowing effortlessly toward the ultimate knowledge and vision of liberation.

PTS 5.312

MN 33 Mahāgopālaka sutta - The Greater Discourse on the Cowherd

Using the analogy of a capable cowherd, the Buddha outlines eleven qualities for spiritual growth, including understanding, diligent inquiry, self-restraint, and loving-kindness. As a good herdsman tends his cattle, so a wise bhikkhu tends the mind, cultivating the care and discernment that lead to growth, fulfillment, and mastery in the Dhamma and Vinaya.

PTS 1.220–1.224

MN 40 Cūḷaassapura sutta - The Lesser Discourse at Assapura

The Buddha clarifies the proper path of a true ascetic, illustrating that internal purification, not external practices, defines true asceticism. The Buddha also describes the wearing away of the taints, the cultivation of the four immeasurable states, and the taintless liberation of mind using similes of a concealed weapon and a cool pond.

PTS 1.281–1.284

SN 9.11 Akusalavitakka sutta - Unwholesome Thoughts

With superficial attention arises thoughts of sensuality, ill will, and harm. By turning his mind toward the Triple Gem and his own virtue, the practitioner can discover the uplifting joy needed to make an end of suffering.

PTS 1.203

MN 39 Mahāassapura sutta - The Greater Discourse at Assapura

The Buddha outlines a progressive training guideline for the bhikkhus to undertake in order to be recognized as ascetics and brahmins. The Buddha also describes the abandonment of the five hindrances, the four |jhānas::::jah-naas|, and the three knowledges using similes.

PTS 1.271–1.280

SN 35.97 Pamādavihārī sutta - Dwelling Negligently

The Buddha declares one who dwells negligently and one who dwells diligently through a sequence of arising mental states starting with non-restraint or restraint over the six sense bases.

PTS 4.78

AN 10.1 Kimatthiya sutta - For What Purpose

Venerable Ānanda asks the Buddha about the purpose and benefit of wholesome ethical conduct. The Buddha explains gradual benefits of wholesome ethical conduct, starting with the immediate one of non-regret to the ultimate one of understanding and insight into liberation.

PTS 5.1

AN 10.2 Cetanākaraṇīya sutta - Deliberate Intention

The Buddha illustrates how the path to liberation unfolds organically, with each wholesome quality naturally giving rise to the next without the need for forced willpower. Wholesome ethical conduct organically gives rise to non-regret, joy, and successive refined states, flowing effortlessly toward the ultimate knowledge and vision of liberation.

PTS 5.2–5.3

KP 6 Ratana sutta - Gem

Addressed to earthly and celestial beings, this discourse makes a powerful declaration of truth regarding the peerless qualities of the Awakened One, the deathless Dhamma, and the noble Saṅgha.

PTS 6

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