The Buddha teaches a repeated simile of dawn as the forerunner of sunrise, showing how accomplishment in ethics, enthusiasm, self-development, view, and diligence each forerun the arising of the noble eightfold path in this grouped discourse.

SN 45.85-89 Five Discourses on Accomplishment in Ethics, Etc.

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi, yena anuppanno ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo uppajjati, uppanno ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati, yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, sīlasampadā …pe…

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, chandasampadā …pe…

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, attasampadā …pe…

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, diṭṭhisampadā …pe…

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, appamādasampadā …pe….

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi, yena anuppanno ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo uppajjati, uppanno ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati, yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, sīlasampadā …pe…

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that gives rise to the noble eightfold path, or, if it’s already arisen, fully develops it like accomplishment in ethics. …”

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, chandasampadā …pe…

“… accomplishment in enthusiasm …”

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, attasampadā …pe…

“… accomplishment in self-development …”

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, diṭṭhisampadā …pe…

“… accomplishment in view …”

yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, appamādasampadā …pe….

“… accomplishment in diligence …”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

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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Diligence

Diligence

The protective quality of guarding the mind amidst sensory experience. By restraining the faculties, the mind remains unsoiled by attraction.

Also known as: alertness, carefulness, heedfulness, conscientiousness, vigilance
Pāli: appamāda, uṭṭhāna
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Vigour

Vigour

Energetic effort and resilience in practice. It is the refusal to shrink back, the 'uphill' force that initiates and sustains wholesome actions against the gravity of habit.

Also known as: energy, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, application of will, persistence
Pāli: vīriya
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on July 27, 2026