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Core teachings

The Nine Qualities of the Buddha

Nava buddhaguṇā

The recitation "Itipi so bhagavā…" translated phrase by phrase — a chant said daily by many who have never been told what it means.

9 points

The verse of homage beginning "Itipi so bhagavā arahaṁ sammāsambuddho…" appears in several discourses, including the Dhajagga Sutta, where the Buddha recommends recollecting it when fear arises, and the Soṇadaṇḍa Sutta, where a brahmin recites it in praise.

There are nine qualities, summarised as the qualities of wisdom, of purity, and of great compassion. Knowing the meaning turns the chanting from recitation into actual recollection — which is the recollection of the Buddha as he taught it.

  1. 1

    Arahaṁ — far from defilement, worthy of veneration Arahaṃ

    Having broken the spokes of the wheel of wandering, far from every defilement, and so genuinely worthy of homage.

    Applying it in daily life

    Recollect it to see what true purity looks like: not outward perfection, but a mind with nothing left stuck in it.

  2. 2

    Sammāsambuddho — perfectly awakened by himself Sammāsambuddho

    Having realised all things rightly by himself, with no teacher — a discovery that can be checked and taught on.

    Applying it in daily life

    A reminder that truth is found by doing, not something you wait for someone to hand over.

  3. 3

    Vijjācaraṇasampanno — accomplished in knowledge and conduct Vijjācaraṇasampanno

    Possessing both true knowledge and beautiful conduct — the two complete in one person.

    Applying it in daily life

    Use it as a test for teachers and for yourself: knowledge without conduct is not enough, and good conduct without knowledge doesn't carry far.

  4. 4

    Sugato — well-gone Sugato

    Having gone well to a good destination, and speaking only what is true, beneficial and timely — a road that others can follow.

    Applying it in daily life

    Take it as a reminder about speech: say what is true, useful and well-timed. That is following this quality at a scale available every day.

  5. 5

    Lokavidū — knower of the world Lokavidū

    Knowing the world in its nature, its origin, its cessation and the way to its cessation, and therefore able to teach each kind of person as they are.

    Applying it in daily life

    A reminder that understanding the world as it is matters more than demanding it be as we want.

  6. 6

    Anuttaro purisadammasārathi — unsurpassed trainer of those to be trained Anuttaro purisadammasārathi

    Training those who can be trained as nobody else can, choosing the method that suits each person — encouragement for some, firmness for others, both for others still.

    Applying it in daily life

    Anyone who teaches or manages people should hold to this: fit the method to the person rather than using one method and blaming them for failing.

  7. 7

    Satthā devamanussānaṁ — teacher of gods and humans Satthā devamanussānaṃ

    Teacher and guide of both devas and humans, without regard to class, and without a closed fist that holds something back.

    Applying it in daily life

    A reminder to those who know something: don't hoard it. What you know becomes worth more when it is passed on.

  8. 8

    Buddho — awakened and joyful Buddho

    Awake from the sleep of defilement, and able to wake others in turn. This quality became the name by which he is known.

    Applying it in daily life

    Ask once a day whether you were awake today or absent the whole time. That is the shortest recollection of the Buddha there is.

  9. 9

    Bhagavā — the Blessed One who analyses and teaches Bhagavā

    Possessing the share of noble qualities, and analysing and distributing the teaching to others out of great compassion.

    Applying it in daily life

    A reminder that good knowledge must be sorted to fit the listener to be of use — pitch it at the level of the person in front of you, not your own.

Try it in daily life

Try chanting at half speed while calling each phrase's meaning to mind. You will find it is not a request for blessings but a review of what the one we respect actually was — which loops back as a goal for ourselves.

In the Dhajagga Sutta he recommends it when fear or bristling arises. It works just as well on ordinary anxiety, because a mind with something to hold recovers its footing faster than one adrift in fear.

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