The Buddha explains the importance of accomplishment in virtue, aspiration, self-development, view, and diligence in the development and cultivation of the noble eightfold path.

SN 45.50-54  Sīlasampadādi suttapañcaka - Five Discourses Beginning With Accomplishment in Virtue

45.50

“Sūriyassa, bhikkhave, udayato etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁaruṇuggaṁ; evameva kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ariyassa aṭṭhaṅgikassa maggassa uppādāya etaṁ pubbaṅgamaṁ etaṁ pubbanimittaṁ, yadidaṁsīlasampadā. Sīlasampannassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāvessati, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati.

“Just as, bhikkhus, the forerunner and the precursor of the sunrise is the dawn; so too, bhikkhus, the forerunner and precursor for the arising of the Noble Eightfold Path in a bhikkhu is the |accomplishment of virtue::being accomplished in ethical conduct [sīlasampadā]|. For a bhikkhu accomplished in virtue, it is to be expected that he will develop and extensively cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path.

45.51

Chandasampannassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāvessati, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati.

For a bhikkhu |accomplished in aspiration::accomplished in goal, interest, objectives, wholesome motivation [chandasampanna]|, it is expected that he will develop and extensively cultivate the noble eightfold path.

45.52

Attasampannassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāvessati, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati.

For a bhikkhu accomplished in self-development, it is expected that he will develop and extensively cultivate the noble eightfold path.

45.53

Diṭṭhisampannassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ
bhāvessati, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati.

For a bhikkhu |accomplished in view::with correct outlook, with correct belief [diṭṭhisampanna]|, it is expected that he will develop and extensively cultivate the noble eightfold path.

45.54

Appamādasampannassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bhāvessati, ariyaṁ aṭṭhaṅgikaṁ maggaṁ bahulīkarissati.”

For a bhikkhu |accomplished in diligence::accomplished in doing one’s work or duty well, with alertness, carefulness and care [appamāda]|, it is expected that he will develop and extensively cultivate the noble eightfold path.”

Last updated on October 17, 2025