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

SN 48.56 Grounded

“Ekadhamme patiṭṭhitassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pañcindriyāni bhāvitāni honti subhāvitāni. Katamasmiṁ ekadhamme? Appamāde. Katamo ca bhikkhave, appamādo? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cittaṁ rakkhati āsavesu ca sāsavesu ca dhammesu. Tassa cittaṁ rakkhato āsavesu ca sāsavesu ca dhammesu saddhindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Vīriyindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Satindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Samādhindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Paññindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Evampi kho, bhikkhave, ekadhamme patiṭṭhitassa bhikkhuno pañcindriyāni bhāvitāni honti subhāvitānī”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Ekadhamme patiṭṭhitassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pañcindriyāni bhāvitāni honti subhāvitāni.

“Mendicants, when a mendicant is grounded in one thing the five faculties become developed, well developed.

Katamasmiṁ ekadhamme?

What one thing?

Appamāde.

Diligence.

Katamo ca bhikkhave, appamādo?

And what is diligence?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cittaṁ rakkhati āsavesu ca sāsavesu ca dhammesu.

It’s when a mendicant looks after their mind when it comes to defilements and things accompanied by defilements.

Tassa cittaṁ rakkhato āsavesu ca sāsavesu ca dhammesu saddhindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati.

As they do so the faculties of faith,

Vīriyindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati.

energy,

Satindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati.

mindfulness,

Samādhindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati.

immersion,

Paññindriyampi bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati.

and wisdom are fully developed.

Evampi kho, bhikkhave, ekadhamme patiṭṭhitassa bhikkhuno pañcindriyāni bhāvitāni honti subhāvitānī”ti.

That’s how when a mendicant is grounded in one thing the five faculties become developed, well developed.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

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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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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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