Awakening requires six rare conditions: a Tathāgata's appearance, a teacher of the Dhamma, rebirth in a noble realm, unimpaired faculties, intelligence, and the desire for wholesome qualities.

AN 6.96  Pātubhāva sutta - Appearance

“Channaṁ, bhikkhave, pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṁ. Katamesaṁ channaṁ?

“The |appearance::manifestation; lit. being in front [pātubhāva]| of six things is rare in the world|, bhikkhus.::::.| What six?

Tathāgatassa arahato sammāsambuddhassa pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmiṁ,

1.) The appearance of a |Tathāgata::one who has arrived at the truth, an epithet of a perfectly Awakened One [tathāgata]|, an Arahant, a perfectly Awakened One is rare in the world.

tathāgatappaveditassa dhammavinayassa desetā puggalo dullabho lokasmiṁ,

2.) A person who can teach the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]| and |Vinaya::code of monastic discipline rules, training [vinaya]| proclaimed by a Tathāgata is rare in the world.

ariyāyatane paccājāti dullabhā lokasmiṁ,

3.) Rebirth in the |realm of the Noble Ones::region from where it is possible to access the Dhamma of the Noble Ones [ariyāyatana]| is rare in the world.

indriyānaṁ avekallatā dullabhā lokasmiṁ,

4.) Having no deformity in the [sense] faculties is rare in the world.

ajaḷatā aneḷamūgatā dullabhā lokasmiṁ,

5.) Being |intelligent::lit. not stupid state [ajaḷatā]| and |astute::lit. not drool or dumb state [aneḷamūgatā]| is rare in the world.

kusale dhamme chando dullabho lokasmiṁ.

6.) The desire for |wholesome qualities::skillful actions, good habits [kusale dhamme]| is rare in the world.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, channaṁ pātubhāvo dullabho lokasmin”ti.

The appearance of these six things|, bhikkhus,::::| is rare in the world.”

Qualities:

Recollection of the Buddha

Recollection of the Buddha

A mental quality of reflecting on the qualities of the Buddha, which counters doubt and strengthens faith.

Also known as: recollection of Buddha, mindfulness of the Buddha, reflection on the qualities of the Buddha
Pāli: buddhānussati, buddhānusmṛti
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Recollection of the Dhamma

Recollection of the Dhamma

A mental quality of reflecting on the qualities of the Dhamma, which counters doubt and strengthens faith.

Also known as: recollection of Dhamma, mindfulness of the Dhamma, reflection on the qualities of the Dhamma
Pāli: dhammānussati, dhammānusmṛti
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Wholesome

Wholesome

Conducive to or suggestive of good health and mental well-being.

Also known as: blameless, skillful, beneficial, good, useful, healthy, nourishing, sustaining
Pāli: kusala
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Last updated on May 28, 2026