The Buddha explains seven things that lead to the decline of a trainee bhikkhu and seven things that do not.

AN 7.28  Paṭhama parihāni sutta - Decline (First)

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi:

At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park. There, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus:

“sattime, bhikkhave, dhammā sekhassa bhikkhuno parihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Kammārāmatā, bhassārāmatā, niddārāmatā, saṅgaṇikārāmatā, indriyesu aguttadvāratā, bhojane amattaññutā, santi kho pana saṅghe saṅghakaraṇīyāni; tatra sekho bhikkhu iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘santi kho pana saṅghe therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā bhāravāhino, te tena paññāyissantī’ti attanā tesu yogaṁ āpajjati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta dhammā sekhassa bhikkhuno parihānāya saṁvattanti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these seven qualities that lead to the |decline::regression, deterioration [parihāna]| of a trainee bhikkhu. What seven? Relishing work, relishing talk, relishing sleep, relishing pleasure of company, being unguarded in sense faculties, lack of moderation in eating, and moreover there are communal duties. There, a trainee reflects, ‘There are elders in the |Saṅgha::The community of monks and nuns practicing in line with the Buddha’s teachings. In the broader sense, this is the community of disciples who have realized the noble path and fruition through the Buddha’s teachings [saṅgha]| who are experienced, long gone forth, bearing the burden; they will be recognized for this.’ Yet, he still engages in these duties himself. These seven qualities lead to the |decline::regression, deterioration [parihāna]| of a trainee bhikkhu.

Sattime, bhikkhave, dhammā sekhassa bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Na kammārāmatā, na bhassārāmatā, na niddārāmatā, na saṅgaṇikārāmatā, indriyesu guttadvāratā, bhojane mattaññutā, santi kho pana saṅghe saṅghakaraṇīyāni; tatra sekho bhikkhu iti paṭisañcikkhati: ‘santi kho pana saṅghe therā rattaññū cirapabbajitā bhāravāhino, te tena paññāyissantī’ti attanā na tesu yogaṁ āpajjati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta dhammā sekhassa bhikkhuno aparihānāya saṁvattantī”ti.

Bhikkhus, there are these seven qualities that lead to the non-decline of a trainee bhikkhu. What seven? Not relishing work, not relishing talk, not relishing sleep, not relishing pleasure of company, being guarded in sense faculties, having moderation in eating, and moreover, there are communal duties. There, a trainee reflects, ‘There are elders in the Saṅgha who are experienced, long gone forth, bearing the burden; they will be recognized for this.’’ Therefore, he does not engage in these duties himself. These seven qualities lead to the non-decline of a trainee bhikkhu.”

Qualities:

Right speech

Right speech

Speech that is purified by abstaining from falsehood, divisive talk, harsh words, and idle chatter.

Also known as: truthful speech, honest speech, kind speech, beneficial speech, harmonious speech, articulate words, eloquent communication
Pāli: sammāvācā
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Sense restraint

Sense restraint

A practice of guarding the sense doors by not grasping at the general features or details of sense objects when seeing, hearing, sensing, and cognizing.

Also known as: guarding the sense faculties, watching the sense doors, not grasping at the prominent features or details of sense objects, moderation in eating
Pāli: indriya saṁvara
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Non-restraint

Non-restraint

Failure to guard the sense doors. It occurs when attention chases after the signs and features of sense objects, allowing craving and aversion to invade the mind.

Also known as: unguarded in sense faculties, not watching the sense doors, grasping at prominent features or details of sense objects
Pāli: asaṁvara, asaṁyama
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Personal existence

Personal existence

The view that there is a real self within or a substantial reality outside. This mistaken grasp of self and world sustains attachment, conceit, and the cycle of suffering.

Also known as: identity view, self-view, self-identification, embodied being, egoism
Pāli: sakkāya-diṭṭhi
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: passion for sensual pleasures, lust, craving for pleasure, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Wrong speech

Wrong speech

Speech that deceives, divides, wounds, or wastes. It includes lying, slander, harshness, and idle chatter. Such speech distorts truth, breaks trust, and stirs the mind toward harm and discord.

Also known as: false speech, lying, divisive, slanderous or defamatory or malicious speech, abusive or rude or unkind way of speaking, meaningless talk or idle chatter or gossip
Pāli: musāvāda, pisuṇavācā, pharusāvācā, samphappalāpa
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Last updated on December 27, 2025