The venerable Mahāmoggallāna enumerates sixteen unwholesome qualities, such as being irritable, a denigrator, and deceitful, that make someone difficult to admonish. He then teaches the method of self-inference—understanding that our flaws are just as disagreeable to others as theirs are to us.

MN 15  Anumāna sutta - Inference

Evaṁ me sutaṁ ekaṁ samayaṁ āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhaggesu viharati susumāragire bhesakaḷāvane migadāye. Tatra kho āyasmā mahāmoggallāno bhikkhū āmantesi: “āvuso bhikkhavo”ti.

Thus have I heard—At one time, the venerable |Mahāmoggallāna::foremost disciple of the Buddha in psychic power; lit. Moggallāna the great [mahāmoggallāna]| was dwelling among the |Bhaggans::name of the people of Bhagga [bhaggā]| in |Crocodile Mountain::name of the capital city of Bhagga [susumāragira]|, in the Deer Park at Bhesakaḷā Grove. There the venerable Mahāmoggallāna addressed the bhikkhus: “Friends, bhikkhus.”

“Āvuso”ti kho te bhikkhū āyasmato mahāmoggallānassa paccassosuṁ. Āyasmā mahāmoggallāno etadavoca:

“Friend,” those bhikkhus replied to the venerable Mahāmoggallāna. The venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this:

“Pavāreti cepi, āvuso, bhikkhu: ‘vadantu maṁ āyasmanto, vacanīyomhi āyasmantehī’ti, so ca hoti dubbaco, dovacassakaraṇehi dhammehi samannāgato, akkhamo appadakkhiṇaggāhī anusāsaniṁ, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī na ceva vattabbaṁ maññanti, na ca anusāsitabbaṁ maññanti, na ca tasmiṁ puggale vissāsaṁ āpajjitabbaṁ maññanti.

“Friends, even if a bhikkhu requests others, saying: ‘Let the venerable ones admonish me, I need to be admonished by the venerable ones,’ yet if he is difficult to admonish and possesses qualities that make him difficult to admonish, if he is |impatient::intolerant, not able to endure [akkhama]| and does not receive instruction respectfully, then his fellow |spiritual companion::fellow practitioner [sabrahmacārī]|s think he should not be admonished, think he should not be instructed, and think they should not place |trust::confidence [vissāsa]| in that person.

Qualities that Make One Difficult to Admonish

Katame cāvuso, dovacassakaraṇā dhammā?

And what, friends, are the qualities that make one difficult to admonish?

Idhāvuso, bhikkhu pāpiccho hoti, pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu pāpiccho hoti, pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

1.) Here, friends, a bhikkhu has |evil desires::yearnings that produce harm [pāpiccha]| and has fallen under the sway of evil desires. That a bhikkhu has evil desires and has fallen under the sway of evil desires—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu attukkaṁsako hoti paravambhī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu attukkaṁsako hoti paravambhī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

2.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu |praises himself::is boastful, elevates himself [attukkaṁsaka]| and |despises others::disparages others [paravambhī]|. That a bhikkhu praises himself and despises others—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhābhibhūto. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhābhibhūto ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

3.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is |irritable::prone to anger [kodhana]| and |overcome by anger::overpowered by rage [kodhābhibhūta]|. That a bhikkhu is irritable and overcome by anger—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhahetu upanāhī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhahetu upanāhī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

4.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is irritable and |resentful::who bears a grudge, who harbors enmity [upanāhī]| due to anger. That a bhikkhu is irritable and resentful due to anger—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhahetu abhisaṅgī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhahetu abhisaṅgī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

5.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is irritable and hostile due to anger. That a bhikkhu is irritable and hostile due to anger—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu kodhano hoti kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

6.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is irritable and utters words bordering on rage. That a bhikkhu is irritable and utters words bordering on rage—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ paṭippharati. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ paṭippharati ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

7.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a |reprover::advisor, rebuker [codaka]|, |snaps back::blasts back, opposes [paṭippharati]| at the reprover. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, snaps back at the reprover—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ apasādeti. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ apasādeti ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

8.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, |disparages::belittles, puts down [apasādeti]| the reprover. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, disparages the reprover—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakassa paccāropeti. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakassa paccāropeti ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

9.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, |argues back with::challenges [paccāropeti]| the reprover. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, argues back with the reprover—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena aññenaññaṁ paṭicarati, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmeti, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena aññenaññaṁ paṭicarati, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmeti, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

10.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, |evades::avoids, dodges [paṭicarati]| the issue with another issue, |diverts::sidetracks [apanāmeti]| the conversation outwards, and displays |anger::indignance, wrath, rage, the mental quality of being disturbed, being shaken up [kopa]|, |aversion::hatred, hostility, mental attitude of rejection, fault-finding, resentful disapproval [dosa]|, and |indignation::bitterness [appaccaya]|. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, evades the issue with another issue, diverts the conversation outwards, and displays anger, aversion, and indignation—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena apadāne na sampāyati. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena apadāne na sampāyati ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

11.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, fails to account for his conduct. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, fails to account for his conduct—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu makkhī hoti paḷāsī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu makkhī hoti paḷāsī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

12.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is |a denigrator::one who slanders [makkhī]| and |contentious::stubborn, arrogant [paḷāsī]|. That a bhikkhu is a denigrator and contentious—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu issukī hoti maccharī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu issukī hoti maccharī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

13.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is |envious::jealous, covetous [issukī]| and |miserly::stingy, greedy [maccharī]|. That a bhikkhu is envious and miserly—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu saṭho hoti māyāvī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu saṭho hoti māyāvī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

14.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is |deceitful::dishonest, cunning [saṭha]| and |hypocritical::pretentious [māyāvī]|. That a bhikkhu is deceitful and hypocritical—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu thaddho hoti atimānī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu thaddho hoti atimānī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

15.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is |stubborn::bullheaded, inflexible [thaddha]| and |arrogant::proud, conceited [atimānī]|. That a bhikkhu is stubborn and arrogant—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu sandiṭṭhiparāmāsī hoti ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu sandiṭṭhiparāmāsī hoti ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggī ayampi dhammo dovacassakaraṇo.

16.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu |clings to his own views::who adheres to his own belief system [sandiṭṭhiparāmāsī]|, |holding on tightly::clutching [ādhānaggāhī]|, and |giving up with difficulty::not relinquishing quickly [duppaṭinissaggī]|. That a bhikkhu clings to his own views, holding on tightly, and giving up with difficulty—this is a quality that makes him difficult to admonish.

Ime vuccantāvuso, dovacassakaraṇā dhammā.

These, friends, are called the qualities that make one difficult to admonish.

No cepi, āvuso, bhikkhu pavāreti: ‘vadantu maṁ āyasmanto, vacanīyomhi āyasmantehī’ti, so ca hoti suvaco, sovacassakaraṇehi dhammehi samannāgato, khamo padakkhiṇaggāhī anusāsaniṁ, atha kho naṁ sabrahmacārī vattabbañceva maññanti, anusāsitabbañca maññanti, tasmiñca puggale vissāsaṁ āpajjitabbaṁ maññanti.

Friends, even if a bhikkhu does not request others, saying: ‘Let the venerable ones admonish me, I need to be admonished by the venerable ones,’ yet if he is easy to admonish and possesses qualities that make him easy to admonish, if he is patient and receives instruction respectfully, then his fellow spiritual companions think he should be admonished, think he should be instructed, and think they should place trust in that person.

Qualities that Make One Easy to Admonish

Katame cāvuso, sovacassakaraṇā dhammā?

And what, friends, are the qualities that make one easy to admonish?

Idhāvuso, bhikkhu na pāpiccho hoti, na pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu na pāpiccho hoti na pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

1.) Here, friends, a bhikkhu does not have evil desires and has not fallen under the sway of evil desires. That a bhikkhu does not have evil desires and has not fallen under the sway of evil desires—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu anattukkaṁsako hoti aparavambhī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu anattukkaṁsako hoti aparavambhī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

2.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu does not praise himself and does not despise others. That a bhikkhu does not praise himself and does not despise others—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhābhibhūto. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhābhibhūto ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

3.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not irritable and is not overcome by anger. That a bhikkhu is not irritable and is not overcome by anger—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhahetu upanāhī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhahetu upanāhī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

4.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not irritable and is not resentful due to anger. That a bhikkhu is not irritable and is not resentful due to anger—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhahetu abhisaṅgī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhahetu abhisaṅgī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

5.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not irritable and is not hostile due to anger. That a bhikkhu is not irritable and is not hostile due to anger—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu na kodhano hoti na kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

6.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not irritable and does not utter words bordering on rage. That a bhikkhu is not irritable and does not utter words bordering on rage—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ nappaṭippharati. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ nappaṭippharati ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

7.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not snap back at the reprover. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not snap back at the reprover—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ na apasādeti. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakaṁ na apasādeti ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

8.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not disparage the reprover. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not disparage the reprover—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakassa na paccāropeti. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena codakassa na paccāropeti ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

9.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not argue back with the reprover. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not argue back with the reprover—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena na aññenaññaṁ paṭicarati, na bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmeti, na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena na aññenaññaṁ paṭicarati, na bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmeti, na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

10.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not evade the issue with another issue, does not divert the conversation outwards, and does not display anger, aversion, and indignation. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, does not evade the issue with another issue, does not divert the conversation outwards, and does not display anger, aversion, and indignation—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena apadāne sampāyati. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu codito codakena apadāne sampāyati ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

11.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, accounts for his conduct. That a bhikkhu, when reproved by a reprover, accounts for his conduct—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu amakkhī hoti apaḷāsī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu amakkhī hoti apaḷāsī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

12.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not a denigrator and is not contentious. That a bhikkhu is not a denigrator and is not contentious—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu anissukī hoti amaccharī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu anissukī hoti amaccharī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

13.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not envious and is not miserly. That a bhikkhu is not envious and is not miserly—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu asaṭho hoti amāyāvī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu asaṭho hoti amāyāvī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

14.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not deceitful and is not hypocritical. That a bhikkhu is not deceitful and is not hypocritical—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu atthaddho hoti anatimānī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu atthaddho hoti anatimānī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

15.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu is not stubborn and is not arrogant. That a bhikkhu is not stubborn and is not arrogant—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhu asandiṭṭhiparāmāsī hoti anādhānaggāhī suppaṭinissaggī. Yaṁpāvuso, bhikkhu asandiṭṭhiparāmāsī hoti, anādhānaggāhī suppaṭinissaggī ayampi dhammo sovacassakaraṇo.

16.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu does not cling to his own views, does not hold on tightly, and gives them up easily. That a bhikkhu does not cling to his own views, does not hold on tightly, and gives them up easily—this is a quality that makes him easy to admonish.

Ime vuccantāvuso, sovacassakaraṇā dhammā.

These, friends, are called the qualities that make one easy to admonish.

Self Inference

Tatrāvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ anuminitabbaṁ:

Here, friends, a bhikkhu should infer about himself in this way:

‘yo khvāyaṁ puggalo pāpiccho, pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ pāpiccho pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘na pāpiccho bhavissāmi, na pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

1.) ‘A person who has evil desires and has fallen under the sway of evil desires, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to have evil desires and fall under the sway of evil desires, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not have evil desires and I will not fall under the sway of evil desires.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo attukkaṁsako paravambhī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ attukkaṁsako paravambhī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘anattukkaṁsako bhavissāmi aparavambhī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

2.) ‘A person who praises himself and despises others, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to praise myself and despise others, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not praise myself and I will not despise others.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo kodhano kodhābhibhūto, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo. Ahañceva kho panassaṁ kodhano kodhābhibhūto, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘na kodhano bhavissāmi na kodhābhibhūto’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

3.) ‘A person who is irritable and overcome by anger, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be irritable and overcome by anger, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be irritable and I will not be overcome by anger.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo kodhano kodhahetu upanāhī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ kodhano kodhahetu upanāhī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘na kodhano bhavissāmi na kodhahetu upanāhī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

4.) ‘A person who is irritable and resentful due to anger, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be irritable and resentful due to anger, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be irritable and I will not be resentful due to anger.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo kodhano kodhahetu abhisaṅgī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ kodhano kodhahetu abhisaṅgī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘na kodhano bhavissāmi na kodhahetu abhisaṅgī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

5.) ‘A person who is irritable and hostile due to anger, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be irritable and hostile due to anger, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be irritable and I will not be hostile due to anger.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo kodhano kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ kodhano kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘na kodhano bhavissāmi na kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāressāmī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

6.) ‘A person who is irritable and utters words bordering on rage, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be irritable and utter words bordering on rage, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be irritable and I will not utter words bordering on rage.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo codito codakena codakaṁ paṭippharati, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho pana codito codakena codakaṁ paṭipphareyyaṁ, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘codito codakena codakaṁ nappaṭippharissāmī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

7.) ‘A person who, when reproved by a reprover, snaps back at the reprover, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I, when reproved by a reprover, were to snap back at the reprover, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I will not snap back at the reprover.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo codito codakena codakaṁ apasādeti, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho pana codito codakena codakaṁ apasādeyyaṁ, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘codito codakena codakaṁ na apasādessāmī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

8.) ‘A person who, when reproved by a reprover, disparages the reprover, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I, when reproved by a reprover, were to disparage the reprover, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I will not disparage the reprover.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo codito codakena codakassa paccāropeti, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho pana codito codakena codakassa paccāropeyyaṁ, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘codito codakena codakassa na paccāropessāmī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

9.) ‘A person who, when reproved by a reprover, argues back with the reprover, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I, when reproved by a reprover, were to argue back with the reprover, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I will not argue back with the reprover.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo codito codakena aññenaññaṁ paṭicarati, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmeti, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaroti, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho pana codito codakena aññenaññaṁ paṭicareyyaṁ, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmeyyaṁ, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukareyyaṁ, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘codito codakena na aññenaññaṁ paṭicarissāmi, na bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmessāmi, na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukarissāmī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

10.) ‘A person who, when reproved by a reprover, evades the issue with another issue, diverts the conversation outwards, and displays anger, aversion, and indignation, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I, when reproved by a reprover, were to evade the issue with another issue, divert the conversation outwards, and display anger, aversion, and indignation, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I will not evade the issue with another issue, I will not divert the conversation outwards, and I will not display anger, aversion, and indignation.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo codito codakena apadāne na sampāyati, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho pana codito codakena apadāne na sampāyeyyaṁ, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘codito codakena apadāne sampāyissāmī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

11.) ‘A person who, when reproved by a reprover, fails to account for his conduct, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I, when reproved by a reprover, were to fail to account for my conduct, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I will account for my conduct.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo makkhī paḷāsī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ makkhī paḷāsī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘amakkhī bhavissāmi apaḷāsī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

12.) ‘A person who is a denigrator and contentious, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be a denigrator and contentious, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be a denigrator and I will not be contentious.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo issukī maccharī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ issukī maccharī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘anissukī bhavissāmi amaccharī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

13.) ‘A person who is envious and miserly, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be envious and miserly, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be envious and I will not be miserly.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo saṭho māyāvī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ saṭho māyāvī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘asaṭho bhavissāmi amāyāvī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

14.) ‘A person who is deceitful and hypocritical, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be deceitful and hypocritical, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be deceitful and I will not be hypocritical.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo thaddho atimānī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ thaddho atimānī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘atthaddho bhavissāmi anatimānī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

15.) ‘A person who is stubborn and arrogant, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to be stubborn and arrogant, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not be stubborn and I will not be arrogant.’

‘Yo khvāyaṁ puggalo sandiṭṭhiparāmāsī ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggī, ayaṁ me puggalo appiyo amanāpo; ahañceva kho panassaṁ sandiṭṭhiparāmāsī ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggī, ahampāssaṁ paresaṁ appiyo amanāpo’ti. Evaṁ jānantenāvuso, bhikkhunā ‘asandiṭṭhiparāmāsī bhavissāmi anādhānaggāhī suppaṭinissaggī’ti cittaṁ uppādetabbaṁ.

16.) ‘A person who clings to his own views, holding on tightly, and giving up with difficulty, that person is displeasing and disagreeable to me; and if I were to cling to my own views, hold on to them tightly, and give them up with difficulty, I would be displeasing and disagreeable to others.’ Knowing this, friends, a bhikkhu should arouse the thought: ‘I will not cling to my own views, I will not hold on to them tightly, and I will give them up easily.’

Self Reviewing

Tatrāvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ:

Here, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way:

‘kiṁ nu khomhi pāpiccho, pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘pāpiccho khomhi, pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘na khomhi pāpiccho, na pāpikānaṁ icchānaṁ vasaṁ gato’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

1.) ‘Do I have evil desires, have I fallen under the sway of evil desires?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I have evil desires, I have fallen under the sway of evil desires,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, |unwholesome::unhealthy, unskillful, unbeneficial, or karmically unprofitable [akusala]| qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I do not have evil desires, I have not fallen under the sway of evil desires,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very |joy and happiness::uplifting joy and gladness [pītipāmojja]|, |training day and night::practicing continuously [ahorattānusikkhī]| in |wholesome::healthy, beneficial, useful [kusala]| qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi attukkaṁsako paravambhī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘attukkaṁsako khomhi paravambhī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘anattukkaṁsako khomhi aparavambhī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

2.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Do I praise myself and despise others?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I praise myself and despise others,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I do not praise myself and I do not despise others,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi kodhano kodhābhibhūto’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘kodhano khomhi kodhābhibhūto’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘na khomhi kodhano kodhābhibhūto’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

3.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I irritable and overcome by anger?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am irritable and overcome by anger,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not irritable and I am not overcome by anger,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi kodhano kodhahetu upanāhī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti ‘kodhano khomhi kodhahetu upanāhī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti ‘na khomhi kodhano kodhahetu upanāhī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

4.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I irritable and resentful due to anger?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am irritable and I am resentful due to anger,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not irritable and I am not resentful due to anger,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi kodhano kodhahetu abhisaṅgī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘kodhano khomhi kodhahetu abhisaṅgī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘na khomhi kodhano kodhahetu abhisaṅgī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

5.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I irritable and hostile due to anger?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am irritable and hostile due to anger,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not irritable and I am not hostile due to anger,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi kodhano kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘kodhano khomhi kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘na khomhi kodhano kodhasāmantā vācaṁ nicchāretā’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

6.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I irritable and do I utter words bordering on rage?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am irritable and I utter words bordering on rage,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not irritable and I do not utter words bordering on rage,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi codito codakena codakaṁ paṭippharāmī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti ‘codito khomhi codakena codakaṁ paṭippharāmī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena codakaṁ nappaṭippharāmī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

7.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘When reproved by a reprover, do I snap back at the reprover?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I snap back at the reprover,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I do not snap back at the reprover,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi codito codakena codakaṁ apasādemī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti ‘codito khomhi codakena codakaṁ apasādemī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena codakaṁ na apasādemī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

8.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘When reproved by a reprover, do I disparage the reprover?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I disparage the reprover,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I do not disparage the reprover,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi codito codakena codakassa paccāropemī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena codakassa paccāropemī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena codakassa na paccāropemī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

9.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘When reproved by a reprover, do I argue back with the reprover?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I argue back with the reprover,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I do not argue back with the reprover,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi codito codakena aññenaññaṁ paṭicarāmi, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmemi, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaromī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena aññenaññaṁ paṭicarāmi, bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmemi, kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaromī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena na aññenaññaṁ paṭicarāmi, na bahiddhā kathaṁ apanāmemi, na kopañca dosañca appaccayañca pātukaromī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

10.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘When reproved by a reprover, do I evade the issue with another issue, divert the conversation outwards, and display anger, aversion, and indignation?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I evade the issue with another issue, divert the conversation outwards, and display anger, aversion, and indignation,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I do not evade the issue with another issue, I do not divert the conversation outwards, and I do not display anger, aversion, and indignation,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi codito codakena apadāne na sampāyāmī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena apadāne na sampāyāmī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘codito khomhi codakena apadāne sampāyāmī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

11.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘When reproved by a reprover, do I fail to account for my conduct?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I fail to account for my conduct,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘When reproved by a reprover, I account for my conduct,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi makkhī paḷāsī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘makkhī khomhi paḷāsī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘amakkhī khomhi apaḷāsī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

12.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I a denigrator and contentious?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am a denigrator and contentious,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not a denigrator and I am not contentious,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi issukī maccharī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘issukī khomhi maccharī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘anissukī khomhi amaccharī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

13.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I envious and miserly?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am envious and miserly,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not envious and I am not miserly,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi saṭho māyāvī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘saṭho khomhi māyāvī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘asaṭho khomhi amāyāvī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

14.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I deceitful and hypocritical?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am deceitful and hypocritical,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not deceitful and I am not hypocritical,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi thaddho atimānī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘thaddho khomhi atimānī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘atthaddho khomhi anatimānī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

15.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Am I stubborn and arrogant?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am stubborn and arrogant,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I am not stubborn and I am not arrogant,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Puna caparaṁ, āvuso, bhikkhunā attanāva attānaṁ evaṁ paccavekkhitabbaṁ: ‘kiṁ nu khomhi sandiṭṭhiparāmāsī ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggī’ti? Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘sandiṭṭhiparāmāsī khomhi ādhānaggāhī duppaṭinissaggī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā tesaṁyeva pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno evaṁ jānāti: ‘asandiṭṭhiparāmāsī khomhi anādhānaggāhī suppaṭinissaggī’ti, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

16.) Furthermore, friends, a bhikkhu should reflect upon himself in this way: ‘Do I cling to my own views, hold on to them tightly, and give them up with difficulty?’ If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I cling to my own views, hold on to them tightly, and give them up with difficulty,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon those very evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu knows: ‘I do not cling to my own views, I do not hold on to them tightly, and I give them up easily,’ then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Sace, āvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno sabbepime pāpake akusale dhamme appahīne attani samanupassati, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā sabbesaṁyeva imesaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno sabbepime pāpake akusale dhamme pahīne attani samanupassati, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ, ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesu.

If, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu sees that all these evil, unwholesome qualities are |not abandoned::not given up [appahīna]| in himself, then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon all these evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu sees that all these evil, unwholesome qualities are |abandoned::dispelled, eliminated, given up, left behind [pahīna]| in himself, then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.

Seyyathāpi, āvuso, itthī puriso vā, daharo yuvā maṇḍanajātiko, ādāse parisuddhe pariyodāte, acche udakapatte, sakaṁ mukhanimittaṁ paccavekkhamāno, sace tattha passati rajaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ vā, tasseva rajassa aṅgaṇassa pahānāya vāyamati; no ce tattha passati rajaṁ aṅgaṇaṁ vā, teneva attamano hoti: ‘lābhā vata me, parisuddhaṁ vata me’ti.

Just as, friends, a young woman or man, youthful, and fond of adornments, |reviewing::reflecting, self-examining; lit. looking back down [paccavekkhamāna]| their own facial reflection in a clean bright mirror or in a bowl of clear water: if they see any dust or blemish there, they strive to remove that dust or blemish. But if they do not see any dust or blemish there, they are |pleased::delighted, elated [attamana]| with that, and think: ‘It is a gain for me that I am clean.’

Evameva kho, āvuso, sace bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno sabbepime pāpake akusale dhamme appahīne attani samanupassati, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā sabbesaṁyeva imesaṁ pāpakānaṁ akusalānaṁ dhammānaṁ pahānāya vāyamitabbaṁ. Sace panāvuso, bhikkhu paccavekkhamāno sabbepime pāpake akusale dhamme pahīne attani samanupassati, tenāvuso, bhikkhunā teneva pītipāmojjena vihātabbaṁ, ahorattānusikkhinā kusalesu dhammesū”ti.

In the same way, friends, if while reviewing, a bhikkhu sees that all these evil, unwholesome qualities are not abandoned in himself, then, friends, that bhikkhu should strive to abandon all these evil, unwholesome qualities. But if, friends, while reviewing, a bhikkhu sees that all these evil, unwholesome qualities are abandoned in himself, then, friends, that bhikkhu should dwell with that very joy and happiness, training day and night in wholesome qualities.”

Idamavocāyasmā mahāmoggallāno. Attamanā te bhikkhū āyasmato mahāmoggallānassa bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

The venerable Mahāmoggallāna said this. The bhikkhus were delighted and pleased with the venerable Mahāmoggallāna’s words.

Topics & Qualities:

Anger

Anger

A burning surge of aversion that erupts against people or situations, scorching clarity and kindness. It distorts perception and drives speech and action toward harm.

Also known as: rage, wrath, fury, indignation
Pāli: kodha, kopa
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Argumentativeness

Argumentativeness

Disposition or tendency to argue, disagree or engage in contention, often motivated by conceit or attachment to views. It obstructs harmony and feeds quarrels, rivalry, and feuding.

Also known as: bickering, contentiousness, contrariness, quarrelsomeness
Pāli: kalaha, viggaha, vivāda
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Aversion

Aversion

A rejecting mental quality rooted in perception, where one instinctively turns away from or resists unpleasant experiences or objects; it manifests as a tendency to push away discomfort, obstructing patience and acceptance.

Also known as: animosity, hate, hostility, fault-finding mindset, upset
Pāli: dosa, paṭighasaññā, vera
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Boastfulness

Boastfulness

A puffed-up self-display that advertises one's virtues, attainments, or status to win admiration. It springs from conceit and the craving for recognition, crowding out humility and genuine connection.

Also known as: braggart, exalting oneself, overbearing, self-promotion, self-praising
Pāli: attukkaṁsaka
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Conceit

Conceit

Self-view expressed as comparison—seeing oneself as superior, inferior, or equal; the persistent “I am” conceit (asmimāna) that underlies identification and fuels rebirth

Also known as: arrogance, egotism, pride, self-importance, tendency of self-comparison
Pāli: māna, atimāna, unnaḷa
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Contempt

Contempt

A dismissive or belittling attitude that refuses to acknowledge worth or goodness. It closes the heart, undermines gratitude, and prepares the ground for ill will.

Also known as: ungratefulness, depreciation, denigration, disrespect, belittlement, disparagement
Pāli: makkha, vambhaka
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Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Feuding

Feuding

An entrenched pattern of opposition and rivalry where parties seek to prevail over one another. It sustains hostility, disturbs peace, and obstructs harmony in community.

Also known as: competitiveness, contentiousness, quarreling, rivalry, opposition, struggle, conflict
Pāli: paḷāsa
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Flexible

Flexible

A quality of the cultivated mind—malleable, workable, and free from rigidity and resistance. Akin to refined gold, a flexible mind is suitable for cultivation of direct knowledge.

Also known as: gentle, pliable, workable, malleable, yielding, ready, suitable for use
Pāli: mudu, kammañña, soracca
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Humility

Humility

An honest, even-toned self-appraisal that stays open to feedback, honors others, and neither inflates nor denies one’s real abilities; it supports learning, concord, and restraint.

Also known as: accepting of correction, modesty, unpretentiousness, humbleness, freedom from self-importance, recognition of limits, staying teachable
Pāli: anatimāna
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Hypocrisy

Hypocrisy

A counterfeit display of virtue or attainment—concealing faults and projecting qualities one lacks—often to secure material support, status, or admiration; it thrives on craving for recognition and collapses with honesty, modesty, and accountability.

Also known as: pretense, insincerity, deceitfulness, putting on a false front, fraudulent
Pāli: māyāvī
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Investigation

Investigation

Investigation involves the process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: inquiry, contemplation, examination, analysis, exploration
Pāli: vicaya, vīmaṃsā, parikkhati
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Irritability

Irritability

A prickly restlessness of mind easily stirred by small discomforts or disagreement. It weakens patience and readies the ground for anger and harsh reaction.

Also known as: crankiness, moodiness, being prone to annoyance, being prone to anger
Pāli: kodhana
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Jealousy

Jealousy

A painful mental state that arises when seeing the good fortune or qualities of others. It begrudges what others have and resents their happiness, closing the heart to appreciative joy.

Also known as: covetousness, envy, possessiveness, protective of, unwilling to part with
Pāli: issā
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Joy

Joy

A fresh and mild happiness arising from a sense of spiritual well-being and a clear conscience

Also known as: cheerfulness, gladness, wellbeing
Pāli: pāmojja, somanassa
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Patience

Patience

A quality of calm endurance that bears hardship, delay, and harshness without resentment. It is the strength to remain composed and gentle under provocation, grounded in wisdom and compassion.

Also known as: endurance, tolerance, forbearance
Pāli: khanti, khama
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Resentment

Resentment

Holding a grudge and keeping anger alive in memory. Unlike a sudden flash of anger, resentment ties a knot of hostility, holding onto past grievances and refusing to forgive.

Also known as: bearing a grudge, harboring enmity
Pāli: upanāha
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Respect

Respect

A mental attitude of reverent attentiveness that values goodness and wisdom in oneself and others. It steadies conduct and opens the mind to learning and humility.

Also known as: reverence, veneration, regard, admiration, appreciation, deference, honour, attentiveness
Pāli: gārava, pūjā, sakkāra
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Sincerity

Sincerity

Inner alignment of intention and speech with what is true—nothing hidden or embellished; willing to admit faults or uncertainty and to keep one’s word without manipulating appearances.

Also known as: genuineness, honesty, straightforwardness, openness, non-deception
Pāli: amāyā
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Stinginess

Stinginess

A contracted, possessive refusal to share what one has—whether material goods, knowledge, or status. It clings tightly to what is “mine,” fearing loss and closing the hand against generosity.

Also known as: miserliness, meanness, tight-fistedness
Pāli: macchariya
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Stubbornness

Stubbornness

A rigid, unyielding stance that refuses to bend or reconsider. Rooted in conceit and attachment to views, it hardens the mind against correction, prevents learning from others, and breeds conflict.

Also known as: bullheadedness, obstinacy, inflexibility, pigheadedness
Pāli: thambha, thaddha, patiṭṭhīyati
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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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Wisdom

Wisdom

Lived understanding and sound judgment that steers the mind away from suffering, distinct from mere accumulation of facts.

Also known as: (of a person) wise, astute, intelligent, learned, skilled, firm, stable, steadfast, an experiential understanding of the four noble truths
Pāli: paññā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita, asammūḷha
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Wrong view

Wrong view

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on June 5, 2026