The Paññā Sutta
Eight Causes and Conditions for the Arising and Fulfillment of Wisdom
[92] Bhikkhus, there are eight causes and eight conditions that lead to the arising of wisdom — the wisdom that is the beginning of the holy life where it has not yet arisen; and to the growth, increase, expansion, and fulfillment of wisdom where it has already arisen.
What are the eight?
1. Establishing deep respect toward the Teacher or a Noble Companion
Bhikkhus, in this Dhamma and Discipline, a bhikkhu relies upon the Teacher, or upon a fellow celibate companion who stands in the position of a teacher — toward whom he establishes strong shame (hiri), fear of wrongdoing (ottappa), love, and deep reverence.
This is the first cause and condition leading to the arising of wisdom … to the fulfillment of wisdom.
2. Approaching, questioning, and clearing doubts
Having established such reverence, he approaches that teacher and asks from time to time:
“Venerable sir, what is the meaning of this statement? What is the intent of this teaching?”
Those teachers reveal what has not been revealed, clarify what has not been clarified, and remove many kinds of doubt concerning the Dhamma.
This is the second cause and condition leading to the arising of wisdom … to the fulfillment of wisdom.
3. Attaining bodily and mental calm
Having heard the Dhamma, he brings about two kinds of calm:
- the calm of body,
- and the calm of mind.
This is the third cause and condition leading to wisdom.
4. Perfect morality and restraint
He possesses virtue, is restrained by the Pātimokkha, perfect in conduct and resort, perceiving danger in the slightest fault, and training in the training rules.
This is the fourth cause and condition.
5. Being learned (bahussuta) and mastering the Dhamma
He is learned, remembers what he has heard, accumulates what he has heard — he has heard much, holds it well, recites it, penetrates it with right view — the teachings that are beautiful in the beginning, the middle, and the end, declaring the holy life in complete purity.
This is the fifth cause and condition.
6. Arousing unremitting energy
He arouses energy to abandon unwholesome states and develop wholesome states; he is steadfast, firm in striving, not neglecting wholesome qualities.
This is the sixth cause and condition.
7. Noble conduct in the assembly: speaking Dhamma, not idle speech
When he goes to the Saṅgha assembly, he does not engage in various pointless talk; instead, he teaches Dhamma, invites others to teach Dhamma, and does not despise the noble silence of the Ariyas.
This is the seventh cause and condition.
8. Contemplating arising and passing away in the Five Aggregates
He contemplates the arising and passing away of the five aggregates subject to clinging:
“Such is form; such is the arising of form; such is the passing away of form.
Such is feeling … perception … formations … consciousness; such is the arising of consciousness; such is the passing away of consciousness.”
This is the eighth cause and condition leading to wisdom — its arising, growth, expansion, and fulfillment.
Praise of such a bhikkhu
Such a bhikkhu is praised thus:
“Because this venerable one relies upon the Teacher or a noble companion worthy of respect — toward whom he has established shame, fear of wrongdoing, love, and deep reverence — this venerable truly knows what is to be known and truly sees what is to be seen.”
Such qualities lead to love, respect, praise, the accomplishment of the ascetic life, and harmony.
All eight qualities are further praised repeatedly — in relation to questioning the teacher, attaining calm, possessing virtue, being learned, being energetic, comporting oneself properly in the assembly, and contemplating arising-and-passing-away.
Thus, bhikkhus, these eight causes and eight conditions lead to the arising of wisdom that is the beginning of the holy life where it has not yet arisen, and to the growth, flourishing, increase, and fulfillment of wisdom where it has already arisen.
End of the Second Paññā Sutta.
Short Pāli Glossary (concise, intensive)
- Paññā (ปัญญา) — wisdom; penetrative knowledge of arising & ceasing.
- Hiri-ottappa (หิริโอตตัปปะ) — moral shame and moral fear; guardians of the world.
- Bahussuta (พหูสูต) — “much-heard”; learned, well-versed in the Dhamma.
- Pātimokkha (ปาติโมกข์) — monastic code of discipline.
- Uppāda / Vaya (อุปปาทะ / วยะ) — arising / passing away.
- Upādānakkhandha (อุปาทานขันธ์) — five aggregates subject to clinging.
- Sīla (ศีล) — virtue, moral discipline.
- Viriya (วิริยะ) — energy, effort, right exertion.
- Ariya-tuṇhī-bhāva (อริยตุณหิภาวะ) — noble silence.