There is no other single internal factor as helpful as radical attention for a trainee bhikkhu who is aspiring for the highest goal.

ITI 16 Paṭhama sekha sutta - Trainee (First)

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Awakened One, as I have heard:

“Sekhassa, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno appattamānasassa anuttaraṁ yogakkhemaṁ patthayamānassa viharato ajjhattikaṁ aṅganti karitvā nāññaṁ ekaṅgampi samanupassāmi yaṁ evaṁ bahūpakāraṁ yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasikāro. Yoniso, bhikkhave, bhikkhu manasi karonto akusalaṁ pajahati, kusalaṁ bhāvetī”ti.

“For a |trainee::learner, one of the seven stages of a noble person before full awakening [sekha]| bhikkhu whose mind has not yet reached its goal, |bhikkhus,::::| who dwells |aspiring::wishing, desiring [patthayamāna]| for the |unsurpassed::highest, incomparable [anuttara]| security from bondage, I do not see any other single internal factor that is so helpful as |radical attention::wise attention, root-level attention, attention to the structural source, contextual reflection; lit. attention from the source [yoniso + manasikāra]|. A bhikkhu attending wisely abandons the unwholesome and |cultivates::develops [bhāveti]| the wholesome.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Yonisomanasikāro,
dhammo sekhassa bhikkhuno;
Natthañño evaṁ bahukāro,
uttamatthassa pattiyā;
Yoniso padahaṁ bhikkhu,
khayaṁ dukkhassa pāpuṇe”ti.

“Radical attention is a quality
of a trainee bhikkhu;
no other factor is so helpful
for attaining the highest goal.
The bhikkhu who strives |wisely::properly, prudently, thoroughly, carefully; lit. according to the source [yoniso]|
reaches the end of |suffering::discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering [dukkha]|.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Topics & Qualities:

Ending

Ending

The complete exhaustion and ending of craving, aversion, and delusion—the three roots of suffering. It refers to both the gradual wearing away of defilements through practice and the final cessation that constitutes Nibbāna.

Also known as: cessation, exhaustion, gradual ending, wearing away
Pāli: khaya, khīṇa, nirodha
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Radical attention

Radical attention

Attending to the structural container or matrix from which an experience originates. Rather than fixating on the foreground content, it discerns the underlying conditions and framework of the experience, preventing the mind from getting swept up in proliferation.

Also known as: wise attention, root-level attention, attention to the structural source, contextual reflection
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Trainee

Trainee

A noble disciple who is still in training (sekha; one who trains) toward full awakening—on the path or at a fruition short of arahantship. A trainee is defined as one who trains in higher virtue, higher mind, and higher wisdom.

Also known as: learner, one in training
Pāli: sekha
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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 July 8, 2026