The Buddha describes the three mental faculties - 1.) the faculty that senses ‘I will know the unknown,’ 2.) the faculty of awakening, and 3.) the faculty of one who is awakened.

ITI 62  Indriya sutta - Mental Faculties

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

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

“Tīṇimāni, bhikkhave, indriyāni. Katamāni tīṇi? Anaññātaññassāmītindriyaṁ, aññindriyaṁ, aññātāvindriyaṁimāni kho, bhikkhave, tīṇi indriyānī”ti.

“There are these three mental faculties|, bhikkhus.::::.| What are the three? 1.) The faculty that senses ‘I will know the unknown,’ 2.) the |faculty of final knowledge::faculty of awakening [aññindriya]|, and 3.) the faculty of one |with final knowledge::who has final knowledge, lit. who has understood [aññātāvī]|. These|, bhikkhus,::::| are the three mental faculties.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

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

“Sekhassa sikkhamānassa,
ujumaggānusārino;
Khayasmiṁ paṭhamaṁ ñāṇaṁ,
tato aññā anantarā.

“For a |trainee::learner, one of the seven stages of a noble person before full awakening [sekha]| who is practicing,
following the direct path;
knowledge of |wearing away::exhaustion, depletion, gradual destruction [khaya]| arises first,
followed next by |final knowledge::spiritual insight of the complete wearing away of the taints; full awakening [aññā]|.

Tato aññāvimuttassa,
ñāṇaṁ ve hoti tādino;
Akuppā me vimuttīti,
bhavasaṁyojanakkhayā.

For one liberated through final knowledge,
there arises insight in the stable one;
‘My liberation is |unshakeable::unassailable, indisputable [akuppa]|,’
|wearing away the chain of existence::exhausting the bond of further becoming [bhavasaṁyojanakkhaya]|.

Sa ve indriyasampanno,
santo santipade rato;
Dhāreti antimaṁ dehaṁ,
jetvā māraṁ savāhinin”ti.

One accomplished in faculties,
|tranquil::peaceful, calm [santa]|, devoted to the state of peace,
he bears his final body,
having conquered |Māra::the ruler of the sensual realm, often depicted as a tempter who tries to obstruct beings from the path to liberation [māra]| along with his army.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

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

Topics & Qualities:

Liberation

Liberation

Liberation can imply a temporary release of the mind, i.e. liberated from certain unwholesome mental qualities or complete liberation from all unwholesome qualities of the mind, i.e. Nibbāna.

Also known as: freedom, release, emancipation, deliverance
Pāli: vimutti, vimokkha, cetovimutti, paññāvimutti, akuppā cetovimutti
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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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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Last updated on May 19, 2026