Those who do not understand the teachings are led by others’ views and do not awaken from sleep.

SN 1.7 Appaṭividita sutta - Not Understood

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthi.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Standing to one side, that deity recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

“Yesaṁ dhammā appaṭividitā,
Paravādesu nīyare;
Suttā te nappabujjhanti,
Kālo tesaṁ pabujjhitun”ti.

“Those who have |not understood::not comprehended, not personally known [appaṭividitā]| the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|
are led by the |views of others::by another’s doctrine, by the philosophical beliefs of others; lit. words of others [paravādesu]|;
they, being asleep, do not awaken,
though it is time for them to awaken.”

“Yesaṁ dhammā suppaṭividitā,
Paravādesu na nīyare;
Te sambuddhā sammadaññā,
Caranti visame saman”ti.

[The Blessed One]: “Those who have |well understood::fully perceived, thoroughly comprehended [suppaṭividitā = su + paṭividitā]| the Dhamma,
are not led by the views of others;
they, awakened and |completely comprehending::fully understanding [sammadaññā]|,
fare |evenly::with balance, with peace, with tranquility [sama]| amidst the uneven.”

Qualities:

Complete comprehension

Complete comprehension

The thorough understanding of phenomena as they truly are—fully knowing their arising, passing, and the unsatisfactoriness inherent in them while they persist.

Also known as: full understanding, knowing full well, seeing things as they are
Pāli: pariññāya, sammadaññā, sampajañña, saṅkhāya
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Lack of discernment

Lack of discernment

Failure to understand cause and effect or to recognize wholesome from unwholesome. It clouds judgment and makes the mind easily led by craving and aversion.

Also known as: lack of clear comprehension, lack of wisdom, child-like in understanding
Pāli: asampajañña, bāla, duppañña
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Last updated on July 11, 2026