The Buddha explains the difference between immature and wise persons, and how mental defilements increase or decrease based on how one perceives.

AN 2.98-117  Bāla vagga - Immature Persons

2.98

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāgataṁ bhāraṁ vahati, yo ca āgataṁ bhāraṁ na vahati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of |immature::lacking in discernment or good sense, child-like in understanding [bāla]| persons. What two? One who |takes responsibility::carries burden [bhāra + vahati]| for what has |not yet come::not arrived, not present [anāgata]|, and one who does not take responsibility for what has |come::arrived [āgata]|. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.99

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāgataṁ bhāraṁ na vahati, yo ca āgataṁ bhāraṁ vahati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of |wise::astute, intelligent, learned, skilled [paṇḍita]| persons. What two? One who does not take responsibility for what has not yet come, and one who takes responsibility for what has come. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.100

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca akappiye kappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye akappiyasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives what is |not allowable::inappropriate [akappiya]| as |allowable::appropriate [kappiya]|, and one who perceives what is allowable as not allowable. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.101

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca akappiye akappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye kappiyasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as not allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as allowable. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.102

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāpattiyā āpattisaññī, yo ca āpattiyā anāpattisaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives what is |non-offense::not a transgression [anāpatti]| as an |offense::transgression, wrongdoing [āpatti]|, and one who perceives what is an offense as not an offense. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.103

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāpattiyā anāpattisaññī, yo ca āpattiyā āpattisaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-offense as non-offense, and one who perceives what is an offense as an offense. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.104

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca adhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca dhamme adhammasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives |what is non-Dhamma::false teaching, something opposed to the teaching [adhamma]| as |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| and one who perceives what is Dhamma as non-Dhamma. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.105

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca dhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca adhamme adhammasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as non-Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as Dhamma. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.106

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca avinaye vinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye avinayasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives |what is not the Vinaya::what is not part of the training [avinaya]| as |Vinaya::code of monastic discipline rules, training [vinaya]|, and one who perceives what is Vinaya as not the Vinaya. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.107

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca avinaye avinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye vinayasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is not the Vinaya as not the Vinaya, and one who perceives what is the Vinaya as the Vinaya. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.108

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca na kukkuccāyitabbaṁ kukkuccāyati, yo ca kukkuccāyitabbaṁ na kukkuccāyati. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, |mental defilements::outflows, discharges, taints [āsavā]| increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who |feels anxious about::feels uneasy about, worries about, is mentally agitated about [kukkuccāyati]| what should not be felt anxious about, and one who does not feel anxious about what should be felt anxious about. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.109

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca na kukkuccāyitabbaṁ na kukkuccāyati, yo ca kukkuccāyitabbaṁ kukkuccāyati. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who does not feel anxious about what should not be felt anxious about, and one who feels anxious about what should be felt anxious about. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.110

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca akappiye kappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye akappiyasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as not allowable. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.111

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca akappiye akappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye kappiyasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as not allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as allowable. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.112

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca āpattiyā anāpattisaññī, yo ca anāpattiyā āpattisaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-offense as an offense, and one who perceives what is an offense as not an offense. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.113

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca āpattiyā āpattisaññī, yo ca anāpattiyā anāpattisaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-offense as non-offense, and one who perceives what is an offense as an offense. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.114

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca adhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca dhamme adhammasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as non-Dhamma. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.115

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca dhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca adhamme adhammasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as non-Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as Dhamma. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.116

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca avinaye vinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye avinayasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not the Vinaya as the Vinaya, and one who perceives what is the Vinay as not the Vinaya. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.117

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca avinaye avinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye vinayasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not the Vinaya as not the Vinaya, and one who perceives what is the Vinaya as the Vinaya. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.98

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of |immature::lacking in discernment or good sense, child-like in understanding [bāla]| persons. What two? One who |takes responsibility::carries burden [bhāra + vahati]| for what has |not yet come::not arrived, not present [anāgata]|, and one who does not take responsibility for what has |come::arrived [āgata]|. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.99

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of |wise::astute, intelligent, learned, skilled [paṇḍita]| persons. What two? One who does not take responsibility for what has not yet come, and one who takes responsibility for what has come. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.100

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives what is |not allowable::inappropriate [akappiya]| as |allowable::appropriate [kappiya]|, and one who perceives what is allowable as not allowable. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.101

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as not allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as allowable. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.102

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives what is |non-offense::not a transgression [anāpatti]| as an |offense::transgression, wrongdoing [āpatti]|, and one who perceives what is an offense as not an offense. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.103

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-offense as non-offense, and one who perceives what is an offense as an offense. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.104

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives |what is non-Dhamma::false teaching, something opposed to the teaching [adhamma]| as |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| and one who perceives what is Dhamma as non-Dhamma. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.105

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as non-Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as Dhamma. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.106

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of immature persons. What two? One who perceives |what is not the Vinaya::what is not part of the training [avinaya]| as |Vinaya::code of monastic discipline rules, training [vinaya]|, and one who perceives what is Vinaya as not the Vinaya. These are the two kinds of immature persons, bhikkhus.”

2.107

“Bhikkhus, there are these two kinds of wise persons. What two? One who perceives what is not the Vinaya as not the Vinaya, and one who perceives what is the Vinaya as the Vinaya. These are the two kinds of wise persons, bhikkhus.”

2.108

“Bhikkhus, |mental defilements::outflows, discharges, taints [āsavā]| increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who |feels anxious about::feels uneasy about, worries about, is mentally agitated about [kukkuccāyati]| what should not be felt anxious about, and one who does not feel anxious about what should be felt anxious about. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.109

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who does not feel anxious about what should not be felt anxious about, and one who feels anxious about what should be felt anxious about. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.110

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as not allowable. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.111

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not allowable as not allowable, and one who perceives what is allowable as allowable. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.112

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-offense as an offense, and one who perceives what is an offense as not an offense. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.113

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-offense as non-offense, and one who perceives what is an offense as an offense. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.114

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as non-Dhamma. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.115

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is non-Dhamma as non-Dhamma, and one who perceives what is Dhamma as Dhamma. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.116

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not the Vinaya as the Vinaya, and one who perceives what is the Vinay as not the Vinaya. Mental defilements increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

2.117

“Bhikkhus, mental defilements do not increase in two kinds of persons. What two? One who perceives what is not the Vinaya as not the Vinaya, and one who perceives what is the Vinaya as the Vinaya. Mental defilements do not increase in these two persons, bhikkhus.”

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāgataṁ bhāraṁ vahati, yo ca āgataṁ bhāraṁ na vahati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāgataṁ bhāraṁ na vahati, yo ca āgataṁ bhāraṁ vahati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca akappiye kappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye akappiyasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca akappiye akappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye kappiyasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāpattiyā āpattisaññī, yo ca āpattiyā anāpattisaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca anāpattiyā anāpattisaññī, yo ca āpattiyā āpattisaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca adhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca dhamme adhammasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca dhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca adhamme adhammasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, bālā. Katame dve? Yo ca avinaye vinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye avinayasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve bālā”ti.

“Dveme, bhikkhave, paṇḍitā. Katame dve? Yo ca avinaye avinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye vinayasaññī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, dve paṇḍitā”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca na kukkuccāyitabbaṁ kukkuccāyati, yo ca kukkuccāyitabbaṁ na kukkuccāyati. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca na kukkuccāyitabbaṁ na kukkuccāyati, yo ca kukkuccāyitabbaṁ kukkuccāyati. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca akappiye kappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye akappiyasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca akappiye akappiyasaññī, yo ca kappiye kappiyasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca āpattiyā anāpattisaññī, yo ca anāpattiyā āpattisaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca āpattiyā āpattisaññī, yo ca anāpattiyā anāpattisaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca adhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca dhamme adhammasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca dhamme dhammasaññī, yo ca adhamme adhammasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca avinaye vinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye avinayasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā vaḍḍhantī”ti.

“Dvinnaṁ, bhikkhave, āsavā na vaḍḍhanti. Katamesaṁ dvinnaṁ? Yo ca avinaye avinayasaññī, yo ca vinaye vinayasaññī. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, dvinnaṁ āsavā na vaḍḍhantī”ti.

Last updated on September 13, 2025

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