Section outline
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Lesson 3.1.8 Upaḍḍhasuttaṃ – The Importance of a Kalyāṇamitta
The term kalyāṇamitta describes a supportive comrade, a virtuous friend who provides beneficial advice and proves a guide on the path who encourages, supports and leads. That is why the Buddha on various occasions emphasises the importance of such helpful friends on the path who not only help in the development and cultivation of the Noble Eightfold Path but likewise in the development and cultivation of the seven factors of enlightenment. A kalyāṇamitta reinforces and promotes the refinement of one’s wholesome qualities and the development of moral conduct, faith, generosity and wisdom. Furthermore, this holds true for anyone on this spiritual quest, whether householder or one who has gone forth. Thus in the Upaḍḍhasutta the Buddha corrects the Venerable Ānanda who seems to have underestimated the overall importance of the companionship of such helpful virtuous friends.