Aṅguttara Nikāya
003. Vajjisattakavaggo –– The sevens to the Vajjis

1. Sārandadasuttaṃ –– At Sarandada

003.01. I heard thus. At one time the Blesed One was abiding in the Sarandada monument in Vesali. Then many Licchavis approached The Blessed One worshipped sat on a side and The Blessed One said to the Licchavis: I will teach you seven things for non-decrease, listen and attend carefully . The Licchavis agreed and The Blessed One said thus

Licchavis. what are the seven things for non-decrease?

As long as the Vajjis constantly come together and meet many times, their growth not decrease should be expected.

As long as the Vajjis get together in unity for their activities and dismiss in unity, their growth not decrease should be expected.

As long as the Vajjis do not appoint new rules and do not break already appointed rules and as long as the ancient laws of the Vajjis are observed, their growth not decrease should be expected.

As long as the Vajjis honour, revere and esteem the elder Vajjis and consider to listen to them, their growth not decrease should be expected.

As long as the Vajjis do not use force and oppress women and girls of high clans to live with them, their growth not decrease should be expected.

As long as the Vajjis worship, esteem and honour the Vajji monuments internally and externally giving whatever offerings earlier given without disturbing them, their growth not decrease should be expected.

As long as the Vajjis arrange the rightful protection of the worthy ones so that those who have not come would come to the kingdom and those who have come would abide pleasantly, their growth not decrease should be expected.

Licchavis, as long as these seven non-decreasing things are seen with the Licchavis and as long as they are observed by them their growth not decrease should be expected.

2. Vassakārasuttaṃ –– The Brahmin Vassakara

003.02. I heard thus. At one time The Blessed One was living among the Gijja peaks in Rajagaha. At that time king Ajātasattu of Magadha the son of Vedeha was to attack the Vajjis. He said. I will destroy the powerful Vajjis, I will put them into trouble.

Then king Ajātasattu of Magadha the son of Vedeha addressed the Brahmin Vassakara the chief minister of Magadha: Brahmin, approach The Blessed One, in my words worship him with your head at his feet and ask whether he has a light and pleasant abiding and tell The Blessed One: Venerable sir, king Ajātasattu of Magadha, son of Vedeha worships The Blessed One with his head at the feet of the Blessed and asks whether The Blessed One abides with few ailments, lives lightly and has a pleasant abiding and also tell venerable sir, king Ajātasattu of Magadha the son of Vedeha wants to attack the Vajjis. He says. I will destroy the powerful Vajjis, I will put them into trouble. To whatever The Blessed One says, listen carefully and report it back to me. Thus Gone Ones do not tell lies.

Brahmin Vassakara the chief minister of Magadha agreed to do the words of k ing Ajātasattu of Magadha and approached The Blessed One, exchanged friendly greetings, sat on a side, and said to The Blessed One: Good Gotama, king Ajātasattu of Magadha the son of Vedeha wants to attack the Vajjis. He says. I will destroy the powerful Vajjis, I will put them into trouble.

At that time venerable Ānanda was standing behind The Blessed One fanning him, The Blessed One addressed venerable Ānanda: Ānanda, do you hear that the Vajjis assemble constantly? Yes, venerable sir, I have heard that the Vajjis assemble constantly.

Ānanda, as long as the Vajjis assemble constantly their growth not decrease should be expected.

Ānanda, do you hear that the Vajjis get together in unity for their activities and dismiss in unity? Yes, venerable sir, I hear that the Vajjis get together in unity for their activities and dismiss in unity. As long as the Vajjis get together in unity for their activities and dismiss in unity, their growth not decrease should be expected.

Ānanda, do you hear that the Vajjis do not appoint new rules and do not break already appointed rules? Yes, venerable sir, I hear that the Vajjis do not appoint new rules and do not break the already appointed rules.

As long as the Vajjis do not appoint new rules and do not break already appointed rules and as long as the ancient laws of the Vajjis are observed, their growth not decrease should be expected.

Ānanda, do you hear that the Vajjis revere and esteem the elder Vajjis and consider to listen to them? Yes, venerable sir, I hear that the Vajjis revere and esteem the elder Vajjis and consider to listen to them.

As long as the Vajjis honour, revere and esteem the elder Vajjis and consider to listen to them, their growth not decrease should be expected.

Ānanda, do you hear that the Vajjis do not force and oppress women and girls of high clans to live with them? Yes, venerable sir, I hear that the Vajjis do not force and oppress women and girls of high clans to live with them.

As long as the Vajjis do not use force and oppress women and girls of high clans to live with them, their growth not decrease should be expected.

Ānanda, do you hear that the Vajjis worship esteem and honour the Vajji monuments internally and externally, giving whatever offerings earlier given without interrupting them? Yes, venerable sir, I hear that the Vajjis worship, esteem and honour the Vajji monuments internally and externally, giving whatever offerings earlier given without interrupting.

As long as the Vajjis worship, esteem and honour the Vajji monuments internally and externally giving whatever offerings earlier given without interrupting them, their growth not decrease should be expected.

Ānanda, do you hear that the Vajjis arrange the rightful protection of the worthy ones so that those who have not come to the kingdom would come and those already come would abide pleasantly? Yes, venerable sir, I hear that the Vajjis arrange the rightful protection of the worthy ones, so that those who have not come to the kingdom would come and those already come would abide pleasantly.

As long as the Vajjis arrange the rightful protection of the worthy ones so that those who have not come would come to the kingdom and those who have already come would abide pleasantly, their growth not decrease should be expected.

Then The Blessed One addressed the Brahmin Vassakara: Brahmin, at one time I was abiding in the Sarandada monument and I taught the Vajjis these seven non-decreasing things. So long as the Vajjis abide by those non-decreasing things, their growth is to be expected not their decrease.

Good Gotama, to the Vajjis endowed with one of these things, increase should be expected not decrease. To them observing these seven things undoubtedly increase should be expected not decrease. Good Gotama, king Ajātasattu of Magadha, the son of Vedeha cannot do it, other than by a battle, a persuation or breaking up their unity. Now we will go, we have much work to do. Brahmin, do as you think fit. The Brahmin Vassakara delighting and agreeing with the words of The Blessed One got up from his seat and went away.

3. Paṭhamasattakasuttaṃ –– The first seven

003.03. I heard thus. At one tine The Blessed One was living among the Gijja peaks in Rajagaha, and addressed the bhikkhus:

Bhikkhus, I will teach seven non-decreasing things listen and attend carefully. Those bhikkhus agreed and The Blessed One said:

Bhikkhus, what are the seven non-decreasing things?

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus assemble constantly, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus assemble in unity, dismiss in unity and attend to their affairs in unity, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus do not appoint new rules and abide by the appointed rules, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus honour esteem and worship the recognized bhikkhus of long standing, the forefathers of the Community and listen to what they have to say, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus are not under the power of arisen craving to be born in the future, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus wish to live in forest dwellings, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus by themselves arouse the consciousness, whoever well behaved bhikkhus come in the future, may they abide pleasantly, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus observe these seven non-decreasing things and are seen to observe them, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

4. Dutiyasattakasuttaṃ –– The second set of seven

003.04. Bhikkhus, I will teach seven non-decreasing things, listen and attend carefully to it. What are the seven non-decreasing things?

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus are not fond of activity, not attached and engaged in activity, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus are not fond of talk, not attached and engaged in talk,

their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus are not fond of sleep, not attached and engaged in sleep, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus are not fond of gathering, not attached and engaged in gathering, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus are without evil desires and not overcome by evil desires, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus are not evil companions, not associating evil companions their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus have attained the least distinction above human before coming to the end, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus observe these seven non-decreasing things and are seen to observe them, their increase is to be expected not their decrease

5. Tatiyasattakasuttaṃ –– The third set of seven

003.05. Bhikkhus, I will teach seven non-decreasing things, listen and attend carefully to it. What are the seven non-decreasing things?

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus have faith, their increase is to be expected not their decrease. Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus have shame, ... re ... remorse, ... re ... are learned, ... re ... are with aroused effort ... re ... are mindful, ... re ... are wise, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus observe these seven non-decreasing things and are seen to observe them, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

6. Bojjhaṇgasuttaṃ –– Enlightenment factors

003.06. Bhikkhus, I will teach seven non-decreasing things, listen and attend carefully to it. What are the seven non-decreasing things?

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus develop the enlightenment factor mindfulness, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus develop the enlightenment factor investigating the Teaching, ... re ... effort, ... re ... joy, ... re ... delight, ... re ... concentration, ... re ... equanimity

their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus observe these seven non-decreasing things and are seen to observe them, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

7. Saññāsuttaṃ –– Perception

003.07. Bhikkhus, I will teach seven non-decreasing things, listen and attend carefully to it. What are the seven non-decreasing things?

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus develop the perception of impermanence, their increase is to be expected not their decrease

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus develop the perception of lacking a self, ... re ... loathsomeness, ... re ... the perception of danger, ... re ... the perception of dispelling, ... re ... the perception of disentanglement ... re ... and the perception of cessation their increase is to be expected not their decrease

Bhikkhus, as long as the bhikkhus develop these seven non-decreasing things and are seen to develop them, their increase is to be expected not their decrease.

8 Paṭhamaparihānisuttāṃ –– First on decrease

003.08. I heard thus. At one time The Blessed One was abiding in the monastery offered by Anāthapiṇḍika in Jeta’s grove in Sāvatthi. The Blessed One addressed the bhikkhus from there:

Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the decrease of the trainee bhikkhu. What seven?

Fond of activity, talk, sleep and gathering. Not controlled in the mental faculties, not knowing the right amount to eat, and when it comes to something to be done to the Community, the trainee bhikkhu discriminates- ‘There are elders in the Community, who have a long standing, those who bear the load, they will do it’. Thus he gives up his duties.

Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the decrease of the trainee bhikkhu

Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the trainee bhikkhu. What seven?

Not fond of, activity, talk, sleep and gathering. Control of the mental faculties, knowing the right amount to eat, and when it comes to something to be done to the Community, the trainee bhikkhu reflects- ‘There are elders in the Community, who have a long standing, those who bear the load, he does not wait until they do it.’

Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the trainee bhikkhu

9. Dutiyaparihānisuttaṃ –– Second on decrease

003.09. Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the decrease of the lay disciple. What seven?

Postpones meeting bhikkhus, neglects hearing the good Teaching, does not train in the higher virtues. Lives with non-delight and listens to the Teaching with disgust towards elder bhikkhus, middlings and the novices finding faults. Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the decrease of the lay disciples.

Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the lay disciple. What seven?

Does not postpone meeting bhikkhus, does not neglect hearing the good Teaching, trains in the higher virtues. Lives delightfully and listens to the Teaching without disgust towards elder bhikkhus, middlings and the novices, not finding faults, does not seek outside to offer gifts, and does the preliminary things within. Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the non-crease of the lay disciples. Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the non-decrease of the lay disciples. The Blessed One further said:

The disciple neglects seeing the developed ones,
Listening to the noble Teaching and training in higher virtues
He hears the Teaching developing much displeasure
Towards the bhikkhus. Searches outside to offer gifts
For it, he does the preliminary things
These are the seven things declared for decrease
The disciple practicing these does not decrease in the Teaching.
The disciple does not neglect seeing the developed ones,
Listening to the noble Teaching and training in higher virtues
He hears the Teaching not developing displeasure
Towards the bhikkhus. Does not search outside to offer gifts
For it, he does the preliminary things here itsself.
These are the seven things declared for non-decrease
The disciple practicing these does not decrease in the Teaching.

10. Vipattisuttaṃ –– Faliures

003.10. Bhikkhus, these seven are the faliures of the lay disciples ... re ... these seven are the attainments of the disciples.

11. Parābhavasuttaṃ –– Downfall

003.11. Bhikkhus, these seven are for the disciple’s downfall ... re ... bhikkhus, these seven are the disciple’s attainments.

Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the downfall of the lay disciple. What seven?

Postpones meeting bhikkhus, neglects hearing the good Teaching, does not train in the higher virtues. Lives with non-delight and listens to the Teaching with disgust towards elder bhikkhus, middlings and the novices finding faults. Bhikkhus, these seven things conduce to the downfall of the lay disciples.

Bhikkhus, these seven things are attainments of the lay disciple. What seven?

Does not postpone meeting bhikkhus, does not neglect hearing the good Teaching, trains in the higher virtues. Lives delightfully and listens to the Teaching without disgust towards elder bhikkhus, middlings and the novices, not finding faults, does not seek outside to offer gifts, and does the preliminary things within. Bhikkhus, these seven things are attainments of the lay disciples. Bhikkhus, these seven things are attainments of the lay disciples. The Blessed One further said:

The disciple neglects seeing the developed ones,
Listening to the noble Teaching and training in higher virtues
He hears the Teaching developing much displeasure
Towards the bhikkhus. Searches outside to offer gifts
For it, he does the preliminary things
These are the seven things declared for the downfall
The disciple practicing these has a downfall in the Teaching.
The disciple does not neglect seeing the developed ones,
Listening to the noble Teaching and training in higher virtues
He hears the Teaching not developing displeasure
Towards the bhikkhus. Does not search outside to offer gifts
For it, he does the preliminary things here itself.
These seven are attainments of the disciple.
The disciple practicing these does not decrease in the Teaching.