The Buddha teaches on the five spiritual faculties regarding at the eastern monastery (4th), guiding mendicants in developing faith through wisdom on the path to liberation.

SN 48.48 At the Eastern Monastery (4th)

Taṁyeva nidānaṁ.

“Katinaṁ nu kho, bhikkhave, indriyānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu aññaṁ byākaroti: ‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmī”ti?

“Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā …pe…

“pañcannaṁ kho, bhikkhave, indriyānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu aññaṁ byākaroti: ‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmīti. Katamesaṁ pañcannaṁ? Saddhindriyassa, vīriyindriyassa, satindriyassa, samādhindriyassa, paññindriyassa

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ indriyānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu aññaṁ byākaroti: ‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmī”ti.

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

Taṁyeva nidānaṁ.

The same setting.

“Katinaṁ nu kho, bhikkhave, indriyānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu aññaṁ byākaroti:

“Mendicants, how many faculties must a mendicant develop and cultivate so that they can declare enlightenment:

‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmī”ti?

‘I understand: “Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place”’?”

“Bhagavaṁmūlakā no, bhante, dhammā …pe…

“Our teachings are rooted in the Buddha. …”

“pañcannaṁ kho, bhikkhave, indriyānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu aññaṁ byākaroti:

“A mendicant must develop and cultivate five faculties so that they can declare enlightenment.

‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmīti.

Katamesaṁ pañcannaṁ?

What five?

Saddhindriyassa, vīriyindriyassa, satindriyassa, samādhindriyassa, paññindriyassa

The faculties of faith, energy, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ indriyānaṁ bhāvitattā bahulīkatattā khīṇāsavo bhikkhu aññaṁ byākaroti:

These are the five faculties that a mendicant must develop and cultivate so that they can declare enlightenment:

‘khīṇā jāti, vusitaṁ brahmacariyaṁ, kataṁ karaṇīyaṁ, nāparaṁ itthattāyā’ti pajānāmī”ti.

‘I understand: “Rebirth is ended, the spiritual journey has been completed, what had to be done has been done, there is nothing further for this place.”’”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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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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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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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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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