The Buddha teaches on the seven awakening factors regarding exterior, guiding mendicants to develop mindfulness through equanimity for the ending of defilements.

SN 46.50 Exterior

“Bāhiraṁ, bhikkhave, aṅganti karitvā nāññaṁ ekaṅgampi samanupassāmi sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ uppādāya, yathayidaṁbhikkhave, kalyāṇamittatā. Kalyāṇamittassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁsatta bojjhaṅge bhāvessati, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarissati.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaroti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarotī”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Cakkavattivaggo pañcamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Vidhā cakkavatti māro,
duppañño paññavena ca;
Daliddo adaliddo ca,
ādiccaṅgena te dasāti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Bāhiraṁ, bhikkhave, aṅganti karitvā nāññaṁ ekaṅgampi samanupassāmi sattannaṁ bojjhaṅgānaṁ uppādāya, yathayidaṁbhikkhave, kalyāṇamittatā.

“Taking into account exterior factors, mendicants, I do not see a single one that gives rise to the seven awakening factors like good friendship. …”

Kalyāṇamittassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁsatta bojjhaṅge bhāvessati, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarissati.

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaroti?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe…

upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ.

Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kalyāṇamitto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarotī”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Cakkavattivaggo pañcamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Vidhā cakkavatti māro,

duppañño paññavena ca;

Daliddo adaliddo ca,

ādiccaṅgena te dasāti.

Topics & Qualities:

Companionship

Companionship

Companionship is the state of being with others, fostering connection, support, and mutual growth. This topic highlights how our associations influence us, whether positively or negatively, and explores the conditions and choices that lead to different kinds of companionship.

Also known as: fellowship, association, camaraderie, friendship
Pāli: sahāyatā, mittatā
View all discourses →
Good friendship

Good friendship

Association with those who are virtuous and wise, who encourage faith, ethical conduct, and discernment. Good friendship is the chief support for progress on the path, guiding one toward right view and wholesome living.

Also known as: friendship with wholesome persons
Pāli: kalyāṇamittatā
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026