The Buddha explains the importance of good friendship, the consequences of habitual engagement in unwholesome and wholesome qualities, wise and unwise attention, the loss or increase of relatives, wealth, and reputation contrasted with the loss or increase of wisdom.

AN 1.71-81  Kalyāṇamittādi vagga - The Chapter Beginning with Good Friendship

1.71

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā kusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā akusalā dhammā parihāyanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, kalyāṇamittatā. Kalyāṇamittassa, bhikkhave, anuppannā ceva kusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā ca akusalā dhammā parihāyantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen wholesome qualities to arise, or arisen unwholesome qualities to decline as |good friendship::friendship with wholesome persons [kalyāṇamittatā]|. For one with good friends, bhikkhus, unarisen wholesome qualities arise, and arisen unwholesome qualities decline.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

First.

1.72

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā akusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā kusalā dhammā parihāyanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, anuyogo akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogo kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ. Anuyogā, bhikkhave, akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogā kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppannā ceva akusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā ca kusalā dhammā parihāyantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen unwholesome qualities to arise, or arisen wholesome qualities to decline as much as habitual engagement in |unwholesome qualities::unskillful actions, bad habits [akusaladhammā]| and habitual non-engagement in |wholesome qualities::skillful actions, good habits [kusaladhammā]|. Through habitual engagement in unwholesome qualities, bhikkhus, and habitual non-engagement in wholesome qualities, unarisen unwholesome qualities arise, and arisen wholesome qualities decline.”

Dutiyaṁ.

Second.

1.73

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā kusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā akusalā dhammā parihāyanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, anuyogo kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogo akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ. Anuyogā, bhikkhave, kusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ, ananuyogā akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ anuppannā ceva kusalā dhammā uppajjanti uppannā ca akusalā dhammā parihāyantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen wholesome qualities to arise, or arisen unwholesome qualities to decline as much as habitual engagement in wholesome qualities and habitual non-engagement in unwholesome qualities. Through habitual engagement in wholesome qualities, bhikkhus, and habitual non-engagement in unwholesome qualities, unarisen wholesome qualities arise, and arisen unwholesome qualities decline.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Third.

1.74

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā bojjhaṅgā nuppajjanti uppannā bojjhaṅgā na bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, ayonisomanasikāro. Ayoniso, bhikkhave, manasi karoto anuppannā ceva bojjhaṅgā nuppajjanti uppannā ca bojjhaṅgā na bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen factors of awakening to not arise, or arisen factors of awakening to not reach full development as |unwise attention::improper attention, imprudent use of the mind [ayonisomanasikāra]|. For one who attends unwisely, bhikkhus, unarisen factors of awakening do not arise, and arisen factors of awakening do not reach full development.”

Catutthaṁ.

Fourth.

1.75

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā bojjhaṅgā uppajjanti uppannā bojjhaṅgā bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchanti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, yonisomanasikāro. Yoniso, bhikkhave, manasi karoto anuppannā ceva bojjhaṅgā uppajjanti uppannā ca bojjhaṅgā bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen factors of awakening to arise, or arisen factors of awakening to reach full development, as much as |wise attention::proper attention, prudent use of the mind, wise reflection, attention to the source [yoniso + manasikāra]|. For one who gives wise attention, bhikkhus, unarisen factors of awakening arise, and arisen factors of awakening reach full development.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Fifth.

1.76

“Appamattikā esā, bhikkhave, parihāni yadidaṁ ñātiparihāni. Etaṁ patikiṭṭhaṁ, bhikkhave, parihānīnaṁ yadidaṁ paññāparihānī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, the loss of relatives is a minor loss. But the |loss of wisdom::habitual engagement in and of unwholesome qualities leads to loss of wisdom|, bhikkhus, is the most severe of all losses.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Sixth.

1.77

“Appamattikā esā, bhikkhave, vuddhi yadidaṁ ñātivuddhi. Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, vuddhīnaṁ yadidaṁ paññāvuddhi.

“Bhikkhus, the growth of relatives is a minor growth. But the growth in wisdom, bhikkhus, is the highest of all growths.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘paññāvuddhiyā vaddhissāmā’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will grow in wisdom.’ This is how you should train yourselves, bhikkhus.”

Sattamaṁ.

Seventh.

1.78

“Appamattikā esā, bhikkhave, parihāni yadidaṁ bhogaparihāni. Etaṁ patikiṭṭhaṁ, bhikkhave, parihānīnaṁ yadidaṁ paññāparihānī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, the loss of wealth is a minor loss. But the loss of wisdom, bhikkhus, is the most severe of all losses.”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Eighth.

1.79

“Appamattikā esā, bhikkhave, vuddhi yadidaṁ bhogavuddhi. Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, vuddhīnaṁ yadidaṁ paññāvuddhi.

“Bhikkhus, the growth of wealth is a minor growth. But the growth of wisdom, bhikkhus, is the highest of all growths.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘paññāvuddhiyā vaddhissāmā’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will grow in wisdom.’ This is how you should train yourselves, bhikkhus.”

Navamaṁ.

Ninth.

1.80

“Appamattikā esā, bhikkhave, parihāni yadidaṁ yasoparihāni. Etaṁ patikiṭṭhaṁ, bhikkhave, parihānīnaṁ yadidaṁ paññāparihānī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, the loss of reputation is a minor loss. But the loss of wisdom, bhikkhus, is the most severe of all losses.”

Dasamaṁ.

Tenth.

1.81

“Appamattikā esā, bhikkhave, vuddhi yadidaṁ yasovuddhi. Etadaggaṁ, bhikkhave, vuddhīnaṁ yadidaṁ paññāvuddhi.

“Bhikkhus, the increase in reputation is a minor growth. But the growth of wisdom, bhikkhus, is the highest of all growths.

Tasmātiha, bhikkhave, evaṁ sikkhitabbaṁ: ‘paññāvuddhiyā vaddhissāmā’ti. Evañhi vo, bhikkhave, sikkhitabban”ti.

Therefore, bhikkhus, you should train yourselves thus: ‘We will grow in wisdom.’ This is how you should train yourselves, bhikkhus.”

Ekādasamaṁ.

Eleventh.

Qualities:

Good friendship

Good friendship

Association with those who are virtuous and wise, who encourage faith, ethical conduct, and discernment. Good friendship is the chief support for progress on the path, guiding one toward right view and wholesome living.

Also known as: friendship with wholesome persons
Pāli: kalyāṇamittatā
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Good habits

Good habits

The repeated practice and pursuit of skillful qualities. By frequently cultivating what is wholesome, the mind inclines naturally toward the good, making the path easier to tread.

Also known as: practice of beneficial actions, pursuing skillful actions
Pāli: anuyoga + kusala
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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, vijjā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita
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Wise attention

Wise attention

Paying attention to the point of contact where experience originates. It discerns the specific cause of the present moment, preventing the mind from drifting into proliferation.

Also known as: proper attention, prudent use of the mind, attention to the source
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Bad habits

Bad habits

The repeated indulgence in unskillful actions. Habitual engagement with the unwholesome strengthens defilements, making them harder to abandon and leading to decline.

Also known as: practice of unbeneficial actions, pursuing unskillful actions
Pāli: anuyoga + akusala
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Unwise attention

Unwise attention

Attention that misses the point of contact, fixating on concepts or features. Disconnected from the source of experience, it then engages in reactions of craving, aversion, and delusion.

Also known as: improper attention, imprudent use of the mind, unfocused attention
Pāli: ayonisomanasikāra
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Last updated on December 3, 2025