The Buddha teaches on growth regarding the qualities and circumstances of women in household life.

SN 37.34 Growth

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhamānā ariyasāvikā ariyāya vaḍḍhiyā vaḍḍhati sārādāyinī ca hoti varādāyinī ca kāyassa. Katamehi pañcahi? Saddhāya vaḍḍhati, sīlena vaḍḍhati, sutena vaḍḍhati, cāgena vaḍḍhati, paññāya vaḍḍhati imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhamānā ariyasāvikā ariyāya vaḍḍhiyā vaḍḍhati, sārādāyinī ca hoti, varādāyinī ca kāyassāti.

Saddhāya sīlena ca yādha vaḍḍhati,
Paññāya cāgena sutena cūbhayaṁ;
tādisī sīlavatī upāsikā,
Ādīyati sāramidheva attano”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Balavaggo tatiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Visāradā pasayha abhibhuyya,
Ekaṁ aṅgena pañcamaṁ;
Nāsenti hetu ṭhānañca,
Visārado vaḍḍhinā dasāti.

Mātugāmasaṁyuttaṁ samattaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcahi, bhikkhave, vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhamānā ariyasāvikā ariyāya vaḍḍhiyā vaḍḍhati sārādāyinī ca hoti varādāyinī ca kāyassa.

“Mendicants, a female noble disciple who grows in five ways grows nobly, taking on what is essential and excellent in this life.

Katamehi pañcahi?

What five?

Saddhāya vaḍḍhati, sīlena vaḍḍhati, sutena vaḍḍhati, cāgena vaḍḍhati, paññāya vaḍḍhati

She grows in faith, ethics, learning, generosity, and wisdom.

imehi kho, bhikkhave, pañcahi vaḍḍhīhi vaḍḍhamānā ariyasāvikā ariyāya vaḍḍhiyā vaḍḍhati, sārādāyinī ca hoti, varādāyinī ca kāyassāti.

A female noble disciple who grows in these five ways grows nobly, taking on what is essential and excellent in this life.

Saddhāya sīlena ca yādha vaḍḍhati,

When she grows in faith and ethics,

Paññāya cāgena sutena cūbhayaṁ;

wisdom, and both generosity and learning—

tādisī sīlavatī upāsikā,

a virtuous laywoman such as she

Ādīyati sāramidheva attano”ti.

takes on what is essential for herself in this life.”

Dasamaṁ.

Balavaggo tatiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Visāradā pasayha abhibhuyya,

Ekaṁ aṅgena pañcamaṁ;

Nāsenti hetu ṭhānañca,

Visārado vaḍḍhinā dasāti.

Mātugāmasaṁyuttaṁ samattaṁ.

The Linked Discourses on ladies are complete.

Topics & 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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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction, self-assurance
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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Giving

Giving

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026