One who has developed the five faculties is an Arahant. Those who are lesser in the development of these faculties are practicing for the realization of the fruit of Arahantship.

SN 48.18  Paṭipanna sutta - Practicing

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, indriyāni. Katamāni pañca? Saddhindriyaṁ …pe… paññindriyaṁ imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañcindriyāni.

“Bhikkhus, these are the five faculties. Which five? The faculty of |faith::confidence, conviction, trust [saddha]|, |energy::willpower, determination [vīriya]|, |mindfulness::memory, remembering, recollection, keeping in mind [sati]|, |collectedness::stability of mind, stillness of mind, mental composure [samādhi]| and |wisdom::distinctive knowledge, discernment [pañña]|.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ indriyānaṁ samattā paripūrattā arahaṁ hoti, tato mudutarehi arahattaphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno hoti, tato mudutarehi anāgāmī hoti, tato mudutarehi anāgāmiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno hoti, tato mudutarehi sakadāgāmī hoti, tato mudutarehi sakadāgāmiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno hoti, tato mudutarehi sotāpanno hoti, tato mudutarehi sotāpattiphalasacchikiriyāya paṭipanno hoti.

Bhikkhus, through the completion and fulfillment of these five faculties, one is an |Arahant::a worthy one, a fully awakened being, epithet of the Buddha [arahant]|. With faculties weaker than that, one is practicing for the realization of the fruit of Arahantship. With faculties weaker than that, one is a |non-returner::third stage of awakening where the lower five fetters of 1] personal existence, i.e. view that one is an embodied being, 2] doubt regarding suffering, the arising of suffering, the end of suffering, and the path leading to the end of suffering, 3] adherence to rules and observances as a means of liberation, 4] sensual desire and 5] ill will are completely overcome [anāgāmī]|; with faculties weaker than that, one is practicing for the fruit of non-returning. With faculties weaker than that, one is a |once-returner::the second stage of awakening where one has completely exhausted the fetters of 1] personal existence, 2] doubt, perplexity, or indecisiveness, and 3] adherence to rules and observances as a means of liberation, and made significant progress in overcoming the fetters of 4] sensual desire and 5] ill will [sakadāgāmī]|; with faculties weaker than that, one is practicing for the fruit of once-returning. With faculties weaker than that, one is a |stream-enterer::the first stage of awakening, attained by completely abandoning the three fetters: 1) personal existence view - identity view, belief in a self, 2) doubt or perplexity regarding suffering, its arising, its ending, and the way of practice leading to the end of suffering, and 3) adherence to rules and observances as a means of liberation [sotāpanna]|; with faculties weaker than that, one is practicing for the fruit of stream-entry.

Yassa kho, bhikkhave, imāni pañcindriyāni sabbena sabbaṁ sabbathā sabbaṁ natthi, tamahaṁ ‘bāhiro puthujjanapakkhe ṭhito’ti vadāmī”ti.

But, bhikkhus, I say that one in whom these five faculties are completely and totally absent is ‘an outsider, one who stands in the faction of common people.’”

Topics & Qualities:

Jhana

Jhana

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: absorption, concentration, collectedness, mental composure, stability of mind, undistracted awareness
Pāli: jhāna, samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Faith

Faith

Confidence in the Buddha's awakening and the efficacy of the path. It brightens and steadies the mind, removing doubt and inspiring energy toward wholesome practice. True faith rests on clarity and direct experience rather than mere belief.

Also known as: confidence, trust, belief, conviction
Pāli: saddha, pasanna
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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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Vigour

Vigour

Energetic effort and resilience in practice. It is the refusal to shrink back, the 'uphill' force that initiates and sustains wholesome actions against the gravity of habit.

Also known as: energy, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, application of will, persistence
Pāli: vīriya
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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, vijjā, medhā, dhīra, paṇḍita
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Last updated on March 8, 2026