The Buddha explains the six qualities in relation to the six senses that makes a person worthy of offerings, hospitality, gifts, and reverence.

AN 6.1  Paṭhamaāhuneyya sutta - Worthy of Offerings (First)

Evaṁ me sutaṁekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme. Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthi, in Jeta’s grove, Anāthapiṇḍika’s park. There, the Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus: “Bhikkhus.”

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ. Bhagavā etadavoca:

“Venerable sir,” those bhikkhus replied to the Blessed One. The Blessed One said this:

“Chahi, bhikkhave, dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassa. Katamehi chahi?

“Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu endowed with six qualities is worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, deserving of reverence, and an unsurpassed field of merit for the world. What six?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu cakkhunā rūpaṁ disvā neva sumano hoti na dummano, upekkhako viharati sato sampajāno.

Here, bhikkhus, when a bhikkhu sees a |form::a visible object such as a beautiful sight, a face, an expression, art, ornament, possession, status symbol, admired appearance, or enticing scenery—anything seen that can produce desire, attachment, or self-view [rūpa]| with the eye, he is neither |gladdened::filled with joy accompanied by lust in regard to a desirable object [sumana]| nor |saddened::filled with sadness accompanied by aversion in regard to an undesirable object [dumana]|; he |abides::lives, dwells, stays, remains, continues [viharati]| |equanimous::mental poised, mentally balanced, non-reactive, disregarding [upekkhaka]|, |mindful and fully aware::attentive and completely comprehending [sata + sampajāna]|.

Sotena saddaṁ sutvā

When he hears a |sound::an auditory object such as a sound, noise, melody, or verbal expression—whether it be praise, blame, honor, affection, or disrespect—that can stir emotion, memory, or craving [sadda]| with the ear, he is neither gladdened nor saddened; he abides equanimous, mindful and fully aware.

ghānena gandhaṁ ghāyitvā

When he smells an |odor::a smell or scent such as a fragrance, aroma, stench, perfume, or natural odor from a flower, food, or the earth—an olfactory experience that may trigger memory, comfort, craving, or aversion [gandha]| with the nose, he is neither gladdened nor saddened; he abides equanimous, mindful and fully aware.

jivhāya rasaṁ sāyitvā

When he tastes a |flavor::a taste or flavor such as sweetness, bitterness, sourness, saltiness, spiciness, richness, or subtle notes like umami or astringency—an object of gustatory experience that can become desirable, comforting, or indulgent [rasa]| with the tongue, he is neither gladdened nor saddened; he abides equanimous, mindful and fully aware.

kāyena phoṭṭhabbaṁ phusitvā

When he feels a |tangible object::a tangible contact such as the feel of skin, warmth, softness, intimacy, physical affection, or sensations like massage, breath, water, air, or pressure—anything felt through the body that can become an object of desire, arousal, comfort, or emotional attachment [phoṭṭhabba]| with the body, he is neither gladdened nor saddened; he abides equanimous, mindful and fully aware.

manasā dhammaṁ viññāya neva sumano hoti na dummano, upekkhako viharati sato sampajāno.

When he knows a |mental object::a mind object such as a thought, idea, memory, intention, emotion, image, or concept arising within the mind that becomes the object of awareness, reflection, craving, or aversion [dhamma]| with the mind, he is neither gladdened nor saddened; he abides equanimous, mindful and fully aware.

Imehi kho, bhikkhave, chahi dhammehi samannāgato bhikkhu āhuneyyo hoti pāhuneyyo dakkhiṇeyyo añjalikaraṇīyo anuttaraṁ puññakkhettaṁ lokassā”ti.

Bhikkhus, a bhikkhu endowed with these six qualities is truly worthy of offerings, worthy of hospitality, worthy of gifts, deserving of reverence, and an unsurpassed field of merit for the world.”

Idamavoca bhagavā. Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

The Blessed One said this. The bhikkhus were delighted and rejoiced in the Blessed One’s words.

The equanimity here is not a matter of indifference or apathy toward an unrelated object; rather, it is the quality of mental poise that arises through the purification of mindfulness and full awareness, leading to the relinquishment of craving and aversion toward sensory experiences.

These six qualities are describing the constant abiding of a fully awakened being, an Arahant.

Qualities:

Equanimity

Equanimity

A state of mental poise and balance, characterized by non-reactivity and composure in the face of agreeable or disagreeable experiences.

Also known as: mental poise, mental balance, equipose, non-reactivity, composure
Pāli: upekkha
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Full awareness

Full awareness

Clear comprehension that accompanies mindfulness, knowing what one is doing and why. Full awareness keeps the mind steady, intentional, and free from distraction.

Also known as: clear awareness, clear comprehension, being intentional, deliberate, purposeful
Pāli: sampajañña, sampajāna
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Remembering to be present with continuous effort, observing the body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities in and of themselves.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anupassanā
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Last updated on December 13, 2025