The Buddha teaches on the five spiritual faculties regarding irregular order, guiding mendicants in developing faith through wisdom on the path to liberation.

SN 48.40 Irregular Order

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, indriyāni. Katamāni pañca? Dukkhindriyaṁ, domanassindriyaṁ, sukhindriyaṁ, somanassindriyaṁ, upekkhindriyaṁ.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati dukkhindriyaṁ. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ. Tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. So dukkhindriyañca pajānāti, dukkhindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, dukkhindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti. Kattha cuppannaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, ettha cuppannaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi dukkhindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati domanassindriyaṁ. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ domanassindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ. tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ domanassindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. So domanassindriyañca pajānāti, domanassindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, domanassindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ domanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti. Kattha cuppannaṁ domanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, ettha cuppannaṁ domanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi domanassindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati sukhindriyaṁ. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ sukhindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ. tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ sukhindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. So sukhindriyañca pajānāti, sukhindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, sukhindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ sukhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti. Kattha cuppannaṁ sukhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, ettha cuppannaṁ sukhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi sukhindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati somanassindriyaṁ. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ somanassindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ. tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ somanassindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. So somanassindriyañca pajānāti, somanassindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, somanassindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ somanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti. Kattha cuppannaṁ somanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati, ettha cuppannaṁ somanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi somanassindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati upekkhindriyaṁ. So evaṁ pajānāti: ‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ. tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati. So upekkhindriyañca pajānāti, upekkhindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, upekkhindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti. Kattha cuppannaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati, ettha cuppannaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati. Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi upekkhindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharatī’”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Sukhindriyavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Suddhikañca soto arahā,
duve samaṇabrāhmaṇā;
Vibhaṅgena tayo vuttā,
kaṭṭho uppaṭipāṭikanti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, indriyāni.

“Mendicants, there are these five faculties.

Katamāni pañca?

What five?

Dukkhindriyaṁ, domanassindriyaṁ, sukhindriyaṁ, somanassindriyaṁ, upekkhindriyaṁ.

The faculties of pain, sadness, pleasure, happiness, and equanimity.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati dukkhindriyaṁ.

While a mendicant is meditating—diligent, keen, and resolute—the faculty of pain arises.

So evaṁ pajānāti:

They understand:

‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ.

‘The faculty of pain has arisen in me. And that has a basis, a source, a condition, and a reason.

Tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

It’s not possible that the faculty of pain will arise without a basis, a source, a condition, or a reason.’

So dukkhindriyañca pajānāti, dukkhindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, dukkhindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti.

They understand the faculty of pain, its origin, its cessation, and where that faculty of pain that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Kattha cuppannaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati?

And where does that faculty of pain that’s arisen cease without remainder?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vivicceva kāmehi vivicca akusalehi dhammehi savitakkaṁ savicāraṁ vivekajaṁ pītisukhaṁ paṭhamaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati,

It’s when a mendicant, quite secluded from sensual pleasures, secluded from unskillful qualities, enters and remains in the first absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of seclusion, while placing the mind and keeping it connected.

ettha cuppannaṁ dukkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.

That’s where the faculty of pain that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi dukkhindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

They’re called a mendicant who understands the cessation of the faculty of pain, and who applies their mind to that end.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati domanassindriyaṁ.

While a mendicant is meditating—diligent, keen, and resolute—the faculty of sadness arises.

So evaṁ pajānāti:

They understand:

‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ domanassindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ.

‘The faculty of sadness has arisen in me. And that has a basis, a source, a condition, and a reason.

tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ domanassindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

It’s not possible that the faculty of sadness will arise without a basis, a source, a condition, or a reason.’

So domanassindriyañca pajānāti, domanassindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, domanassindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ domanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti.

They understand the faculty of sadness, its origin, its cessation, and where that faculty of sadness that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Kattha cuppannaṁ domanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati?

And where does that faculty of sadness that’s arisen cease without remainder?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu vitakkavicārānaṁ vūpasamā ajjhattaṁ sampasādanaṁ cetaso ekodibhāvaṁ avitakkaṁ avicāraṁ samādhijaṁ pītisukhaṁ dutiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati,

It’s when, as the placing of the mind and keeping it connected are stilled, a mendicant enters and remains in the second absorption, which has the rapture and bliss born of immersion, with internal clarity and mind at one, without placing the mind and keeping it connected.

ettha cuppannaṁ domanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.

That’s where the faculty of sadness that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi domanassindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

They’re called a mendicant who understands the cessation of the faculty of sadness, and who applies their mind to that end.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati sukhindriyaṁ.

While a mendicant is meditating—diligent, keen, and resolute—the faculty of pleasure arises.

So evaṁ pajānāti:

They understand:

‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ sukhindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ.

‘The faculty of pleasure has arisen in me. And that has a basis, a source, a condition, and a reason.

tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ sukhindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

It’s not possible that the faculty of pleasure will arise without a basis, a source, a condition, or a reason.’

So sukhindriyañca pajānāti, sukhindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, sukhindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ sukhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti.

They understand the faculty of pleasure, its origin, its cessation, and where that faculty of pleasure that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Kattha cuppannaṁ sukhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati?

And where does that faculty of pleasure that’s arisen cease without remainder?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu pītiyā ca virāgā upekkhako ca viharati sato ca sampajāno sukhañca kāyena paṭisaṁvedeti yaṁ taṁ ariyā ācikkhanti ‘upekkhako satimā sukhavihārī’ti tatiyaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati,

It’s when, with the fading away of rapture, a mendicant enters and remains in the third absorption, where they meditate with equanimity, mindful and aware, personally experiencing the bliss of which the noble ones declare, ‘Equanimous and mindful, one meditates in bliss.’

ettha cuppannaṁ sukhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.

That’s where the faculty of pleasure that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi sukhindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

They’re called a mendicant who understands the cessation of the faculty of pleasure, and who applies their mind to that end.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati somanassindriyaṁ.

While a mendicant is meditating—diligent, keen, and resolute—the faculty of happiness arises.

So evaṁ pajānāti:

They understand:

‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ somanassindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ.

‘The faculty of happiness has arisen in me. And that has a basis, a source, a condition, and a reason.

tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ somanassindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

It’s not possible that the faculty of happiness will arise without a basis, a source, a condition, or a reason.’

So somanassindriyañca pajānāti, somanassindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, somanassindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ somanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti.

They understand the faculty of happiness, its origin, its cessation, and where that faculty of happiness that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Kattha cuppannaṁ somanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati?

And where does that faculty of happiness that’s arisen cease without remainder?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sukhassa ca pahānā dukkhassa ca pahānā pubbeva somanassadomanassānaṁ atthaṅgamā adukkhamasukhaṁ upekkhāsatipārisuddhiṁ catutthaṁ jhānaṁ upasampajja viharati,

It’s when, giving up pleasure and pain, and disappearance former happiness and sadness, a mendicant enters and remains in the fourth absorption, without pleasure or pain, with pure equanimity and mindfulness.

ettha cuppannaṁ somanassindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.

That’s where the faculty of happiness that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi somanassindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharati’.

They’re called a mendicant who understands the cessation of the faculty of happiness, and who applies their mind to that end.

Idha pana, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appamattassa ātāpino pahitattassa viharato uppajjati upekkhindriyaṁ.

While a mendicant is meditating—diligent, keen, and resolute—the faculty of equanimity arises.

So evaṁ pajānāti:

They understand:

‘uppannaṁ kho me idaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ, tañca kho sanimittaṁ sanidānaṁ sasaṅkhāraṁ sappaccayaṁ.

‘The faculty of equanimity has arisen in me. And that has a basis, a source, a condition, and a reason.

tañca animittaṁ anidānaṁ asaṅkhāraṁ appaccayaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ uppajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

It’s not possible that the faculty of equanimity will arise without a basis, a source, a condition, or a reason.’

So upekkhindriyañca pajānāti, upekkhindriyasamudayañca pajānāti, upekkhindriyanirodhañca pajānāti, yattha cuppannaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati tañca pajānāti.

They understand the faculty of equanimity, its origin, its cessation, and where that faculty of equanimity that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Kattha cuppannaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati?

And where does that faculty of equanimity that’s arisen cease without remainder?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabbaso nevasaññānāsaññāyatanaṁ samatikkamma saññāvedayitanirodhaṁ upasampajja viharati,

It’s when a mendicant, going totally beyond the dimension of neither perception nor non-perception, enters and remains in the cessation of perception and feeling.

ettha cuppannaṁ upekkhindriyaṁ aparisesaṁ nirujjhati.

That’s where the faculty of equanimity that’s arisen ceases without remainder.

Ayaṁ vuccati, bhikkhave, ‘bhikkhu aññāsi upekkhindriyassa nirodhaṁ, tadatthāya cittaṁ upasaṁharatī’”ti.

They’re called a mendicant who understands the cessation of the faculty of equanimity, and who applies their mind to that end.”

Dasamaṁ.

Sukhindriyavaggo catuttho.

Tassuddānaṁ

Suddhikañca soto arahā,

duve samaṇabrāhmaṇā;

Vibhaṅgena tayo vuttā,

kaṭṭho uppaṭipāṭikanti.

Topics & Qualities:

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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Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Equanimity

Equanimity

A state of mental poise and balance, characterized by non-reactivity and composure in the face of agreeable or disagreeable experiences.

Also known as: mental poise, mental balance, equipose, non-reactivity, composure
Pāli: upekkha
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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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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Last updated on July 27, 2026