Section outline
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Lesson 1.4.4 Sekhasuttaṃ – Seven Befitting Qualities of an Ariyan Disciple
One time when the Buddha was dwelling among the Sakyans near Kapilavatthu at Nigrodha’s Park. The Sakyans had just built a new assembly hall and invited the Buddha to give a discourse to support them in their understanding of Dhamma. After he had spoken for some time, the Buddha asked the Venerable Ānanda to continue and highlight the important aspects for someone who wants to develop on the path as a trainee. The Venerable Ānanda explained the importance of establishing sīla, guarding one’s sense doors, eating moderately with awareness, developing the seven benefitting qualities and, finally, obtaining and dwelling in the four jhānas. The Venerable Ānanda then further elucidated the ‘seven benefitting qualities’ — also known as the seven saddhammā as presented in this selection — emphasising the importance of saddha as the first of these qualities.