The Chapter on Direct Knowledges

AN 4.254 Insight Abhiññāsutta

"Mendicants, there are these four things. What four? There are things that should be completely understood by direct knowledge. There are things that should be given up by direct knowledge. There are things that should be developed by direct knowledge. There are things that should be realized by direct knowledge.

And what are the things that should be completely understood by direct knowledge? The five grasping aggregates. These are called the things that should be completely understood by direct knowledge.

And what are the things that should be given up by direct knowledge? Ignorance and craving for continued existence. These are called the things that should be given up by direct knowledge.

And what are the things that should be developed by direct knowledge? Serenity and discernment. These are called the things that should be developed by direct knowledge.

And what are the things that should be realized by direct knowledge? Knowledge and freedom. These are called the things that should be realized by direct knowledge.

These are the four things."

AN 4.255 Searches Pariyesanāsutta

"Mendicants, there are these four ignoble searches. What four? Someone liable to old age searches only for what grows old. Someone liable to sickness searches only for what gets sick. Someone liable to death searches only for what dies. Someone liable to become corrupted searches only for what is defiled. These are the four ignoble searches.

There are these four noble searches. What four? Someone who is liable to grow old, knowing the drawback in what grows old, searches for that which is free of old age, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. Someone who is liable to get sick, knowing the drawback in what gets sick, searches for that which is free of sickness, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. Someone who is liable to die, knowing the drawback in what dies, searches for that which is free of death, the supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. Someone liable to become corrupted, knowing the drawback in what is defiled, searches for the undefiled supreme sanctuary from the yoke, extinguishment. These are the four noble searches."

AN 4.256 Ways of Being Inclusive Saṅgahavatthusutta

"Mendicants, there are these four ways of being inclusive. What four? Giving, kindly words, taking care, and equality. These are the four ways of being inclusive."

AN 4.257 With Māluṅkyaputta Mālukyaputtasutta

Then Venerable Māluṅkyaputta went up to the Buddha, bowed, sat down to one side, and said to him:

"Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief. When I've heard it, I'll live alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute."

"Well now, Māluṅkyaputta, what are we to say to the young monks, when even an old man like you, elderly and senior, asks the Realized One for brief advice?"

"Sir, may the Buddha please teach me Dhamma in brief! May the Holy One teach me the Dhamma in brief! Hopefully I can understand the meaning of what the Buddha says! Hopefully I can be an heir of the Buddha's teaching!"

"Māluṅkyaputta, there are four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant. What four? For the sake of robes, almsfood, lodgings, or rebirth in this or that state. These are the four things that give rise to craving in a mendicant. That craving is given up by a mendicant, cut off at the root, made like a palm stump, obliterated, and unable to arise in the future. Then they're called a mendicant who has cut off craving, untied the fetters, and by rightly comprehending conceit has made an end of suffering."

When Māluṅkyaputta had been given this advice by the Buddha, he got up from his seat, bowed, and respectfully circled the Buddha, keeping him on his right, before leaving. Then Māluṅkyaputta, living alone, withdrawn, diligent, keen, and resolute, soon realized the supreme culmination of the spiritual path in this very life. He lived having achieved with his own insight the goal for which gentlemen rightly go forth from the lay life to homelessness.

He understood: "Rebirth is ended; the spiritual journey has been completed; what had to be done has been done; there is nothing further for this place." And Venerable Māluṅkyaputta became one of the perfected.

AN 4.258 Families Kulasutta

"Mendicants, when families don't stay wealthy for long, it's always for one or more of these four reasons. What four? They don't look for what's lost; they don't fix old things; they eat and drink too much; or they put an unethical woman or man in charge. When families don't stay wealthy for long, it's always for one or more of these four reasons.

When families do stay wealthy for long, it's always for one or more of these four reasons. What four? They look for what's lost; they fix old things; they eat and drink in moderation; and they put an ethical woman or man in charge. When families do stay wealthy for long, it's always for one or more of these four reasons."

AN 4.259 A Thoroughbred (1st) Paṭhamaājānīyasutta

"Mendicants, a fine royal thoroughbred with four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and considered a factor of kingship. What four? It's when a fine royal thoroughbred is beautiful, strong, fast, and well-proportioned. A fine royal thoroughbred with these four factors is worthy of a king. ...

In the same way, a mendicant with four qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What four? It's when a mendicant is beautiful, strong, fast, and well proportioned.

And how is a mendicant beautiful? It's when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they've undertaken. That's how a mendicant is beautiful.

And how is a mendicant strong? It's when a mendicant lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They are strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. That's how a mendicant is strong.

And how is a mendicant fast? It's when they truly understand: 'This is suffering' ... 'This is the origin of suffering' ... 'This is the cessation of suffering' ... 'This is the practice that leads to the cessation of suffering'. That's how a mendicant is fast.

And how is a mendicant well proportioned? It's when a mendicant receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. That's how a mendicant is well proportioned.

A mendicant with these four qualities ... is the supreme field of merit for the world."

AN 4.260 A Thoroughbred (2nd) Dutiyaājānīyasutta

"Mendicants, a fine royal thoroughbred with four factors is worthy of a king, fit to serve a king, and considered a factor of kingship. What four? It's when a fine royal thoroughbred is beautiful, strong, fast, and well-proportioned. A fine royal thoroughbred with these four factors is worthy of a king. ...

In the same way, a mendicant with four qualities is worthy of offerings dedicated to the gods, worthy of hospitality, worthy of a religious donation, worthy of veneration with joined palms, and is the supreme field of merit for the world. What four? It's when a mendicant is beautiful, strong, fast, and well proportioned.

And how is a mendicant beautiful? It's when a mendicant is ethical, restrained in the monastic code, conducting themselves well and resorting for alms in suitable places. Seeing danger in the slightest fault, they keep the rules they've undertaken. That's how a mendicant is beautiful.

And how is a mendicant strong? It's when a mendicant lives with energy roused up for giving up unskillful qualities and embracing skillful qualities. They are strong, staunchly vigorous, not slacking off when it comes to developing skillful qualities. That's how a mendicant is strong.

And how is a mendicant fast? It's when a mendicant realizes the undefiled freedom of heart and freedom by wisdom in this very life. And they live having realized it with their own insight due to the ending of defilements. That's how a mendicant is fast.

And how is a mendicant well proportioned? It's when a mendicant receives robes, almsfood, lodgings, and medicines and supplies for the sick. That's how a mendicant is well proportioned.

A mendicant with these four qualities ... is the supreme field of merit for the world."

AN 4.261 Powers Balasutta

"Mendicants, there are these four powers. What four? The powers of energy, mindfulness, immersion, and wisdom. These are the four powers."

AN 4.262 Wilderness Araññasutta

"Mendicants, when a mendicant has four qualities they're not ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest. What four? They have sensual, malicious, and cruel thoughts; or they're witless, dull, and idiotic. When a mendicant has these four qualities they're not ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest.

When a mendicant has four qualities they're ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest. What four? They have thoughts of renunciation, good will, and harmlessness; and they're wise, bright, and clever. When a mendicant has these four qualities they're ready to frequent remote lodgings in the wilderness and the forest."

AN 4.263 Deeds Kammasutta

"When a foolish, incompetent untrue person has four qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much wickedness. What four? Blameworthy deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and blameworthy view. When a foolish, incompetent untrue person has these four qualities they keep themselves broken and damaged. They deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much wickedness.

When an astute, competent true person has four qualities they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don't deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much merit. What four? Blameless deeds by way of body, speech, and mind, and blameless view. When an astute, competent true person has these four qualities they keep themselves intact and unscathed. They don't deserve to be blamed and criticized by sensible people, and they create much merit."