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← Aṅguttara Nikāya

The Chapter on the Untamed

AN 1.31-40 · 4. Adantavagga

Clear spring water flowing over pale stones beside ferns and white flowers.
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31

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not tamed. An untamed mind is very harmful.”

32

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is tamed. A tamed mind is very beneficial.”

33

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not guarded. An unguarded mind is very harmful.”

34

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is guarded. A guarded mind is very beneficial.”

35

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not protected. An unprotected mind is very harmful.”

36

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is protected. A protected mind is very beneficial.”

37

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not restrained. An unrestrained mind is very harmful.”

38

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is restrained. A restrained mind is very beneficial.”

39

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very harmful as this mind that is not tamed, guarded, protected, and restrained. An untamed, unguarded, unprotected, and unrestrained mind is very harmful.”

40

“Mendicants, I do not see a single thing that is so very beneficial as this mind that is tamed, guarded, protected, and restrained. A tamed, guarded, protected, and restrained mind is very beneficial.”

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About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader. This source combines a range of related numbered discourses.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.