The Buddha teaches the four factors of stream-entry—experiential confidence in the Buddha, the teaching, and the Saṅgha, and ethical conduct loved by the noble ones—showing how they protect a noble disciple from loss and lead to heaven, regarding friends and colleagues (2nd).

SN 55.17 Friends and Colleagues (2nd)

“Ye te, bhikkhave, anukampeyyātha, ye ca sotabbaṁ maññeyyuṁmittā amaccā ñātī sālohitā te, bhikkhave, catūsu sotāpattiyaṅgesu samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā. Katamesu catūsu? Buddhe aveccappasāde samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

Siyā, bhikkhave, catunnaṁ mahābhūtānaṁ aññathattaṁpathavīdhātuyā, āpodhātuyā, tejodhātuyā, vāyodhātuyāna tveva buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgatassa ariyasāvakassa siyā aññathattaṁ. Tatridaṁ aññathattaṁ‘so vata buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato ariyasāvako nirayaṁ tiracchānayoniṁ pettivisayaṁ upapajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

“Dhamme …pe…

saṅghe …pe…

ariyakantesu sīlesu samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā akhaṇḍesu …pe… samādhisaṁvattanikesu. Siyā, bhikkhave, catunnaṁ mahābhūtānaṁ aññathattaṁpathavīdhātuyā, āpodhātuyā, tejodhātuyā, vāyodhātuyāna tveva ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgatassa ariyasāvakassa siyā aññathattaṁ. Tatridaṁ aññathattaṁ‘so vata ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato ariyasāvako nirayaṁ tiracchānayoniṁ pettivisayaṁ upapajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

Ye te, bhikkhave, anukampeyyātha, ye ca sotabbaṁ maññeyyuṁmittā amaccā ñātī sālohitā te, bhikkhave, imesu catūsu sotāpattiyaṅgesu samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā”ti.

Sattamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Ye te, bhikkhave, anukampeyyātha, ye ca sotabbaṁ maññeyyuṁmittā amaccā ñātī sālohitā te, bhikkhave, catūsu sotāpattiyaṅgesu samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā.

“Mendicants, those who you have sympathy for, and those worth listening to—friends and colleagues, relatives and family—should be encouraged, supported, and established by you in the four factors of stream-entry.

Katamesu catūsu?

What four?

Buddhe aveccappasāde samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā

Experiential confidence in the Buddha …

itipi so bhagavā …pe… satthā devamanussānaṁ buddho bhagavāti.

Siyā, bhikkhave, catunnaṁ mahābhūtānaṁ aññathattaṁpathavīdhātuyā, āpodhātuyā, tejodhātuyā, vāyodhātuyāna tveva buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgatassa ariyasāvakassa siyā aññathattaṁ.

There might be change in the four principal states—the elements of earth, water, fire, and air—but a noble disciple with experiential confidence in the Buddha would never change.

Tatridaṁ aññathattaṁ‘so vata buddhe aveccappasādena samannāgato ariyasāvako nirayaṁ tiracchānayoniṁ pettivisayaṁ upapajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

In this context, ‘change’ means that such a noble disciple will be reborn in hell, the animal realm, or the ghost realm: this is quite impossible.

“Dhamme …pe…

Experiential confidence in the teaching …

saṅghe …pe…

Experiential confidence in the Saṅgha …

ariyakantesu sīlesu samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā akhaṇḍesu …pe… samādhisaṁvattanikesu.

The ethical conduct loved by the noble ones … leading to immersion.

Siyā, bhikkhave, catunnaṁ mahābhūtānaṁ aññathattaṁpathavīdhātuyā, āpodhātuyā, tejodhātuyā, vāyodhātuyāna tveva ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgatassa ariyasāvakassa siyā aññathattaṁ.

There might be change in the four principal states—the elements of earth, water, fire, and air—but a noble disciple with the ethical conduct loved by the noble ones would never change.

Tatridaṁ aññathattaṁ‘so vata ariyakantehi sīlehi samannāgato ariyasāvako nirayaṁ tiracchānayoniṁ pettivisayaṁ upapajjissatī’tinetaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

In this context, ‘change’ means that such a noble disciple will be reborn in hell, the animal realm, or the ghost realm: this is quite impossible.

Ye te, bhikkhave, anukampeyyātha, ye ca sotabbaṁ maññeyyuṁmittā amaccā ñātī sālohitā te, bhikkhave, imesu catūsu sotāpattiyaṅgesu samādapetabbā, nivesetabbā, patiṭṭhāpetabbā”ti.

Those who you have sympathy for, and those worth listening to—friends and colleagues, relatives and family—should be encouraged, supported, and established by you in these four factors of stream-entry.”

Sattamaṁ.

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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Compassion

Compassion

A mental quality of wise empathy in response to suffering, which counters qualities of harm or cruelty.

Also known as: benevolence, concern, sympathy, kindness towards those who are suffering
Pāli: karuṇā, anukampa
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Ethical conduct

Ethical conduct

A disciplined way of living grounded in harmlessness and integrity. Ethical conduct restrains the body and speech from harm, purifies behavior, and forms the foundation for collectedness and wisdom.

Also known as: moral integrity, right action, virtue
Pāli: sīla, sammākammanta
View all discourses →
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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Last updated on July 27, 2026