Reading guide
The teaching in one sentence
For each of the ten right factors, from right view to right freedom, three things happen: the corresponding wrong factor is worn away, the many bad qualities arising from that wrong factor are worn away, and many skillful qualities are fully developed because of the right factor.
Only the right half, given individual treatment
Unlike AN 10.103 and 10.104, which state both a wrong chain and a right chain, this discourse presents only the positive half — but treats each of its ten factors individually and completely, repeating the same three-part formula (worn away, worn away, developed) ten separate times rather than stating it once for the whole chain.
A threefold effect per factor, not a single result
The formula's precision is worth noting: right view does not simply replace wrong view; it accomplishes three distinct things at once — erasing the wrong factor itself, erasing everything that wrong factor produced, and actively cultivating something new — a fuller account of transformation than simple substitution.
The first of four consecutive metaphor-driven variations
“Wearing away” (nijjara) is the first of four consecutive images this chapter will use for the same underlying process — wearing away here, then washing (AN 10.107), purging (AN 10.108 and 10.109), and blowing away (AN 10.110) — each a different physical metaphor for removing what is wrong and cultivating what is right.
Key terms
The text
Ten grounds for wearing away
§1“Mendicants, there are these ten grounds for wearing away. What ten? For one of right view, wrong view is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong view are worn away. And because of right view, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right purpose, wrong purpose is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong purpose are worn away. And because of right purpose, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right speech, wrong speech is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong speech are worn away. And because of right speech, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right action, wrong action is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong action are worn away. And because of right action, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right livelihood, wrong livelihood is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong livelihood are worn away. And because of right livelihood, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right effort, wrong effort is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong effort are worn away. And because of right effort, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right mindfulness, wrong mindfulness is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong mindfulness are worn away. And because of right mindfulness, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right immersion, wrong immersion is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong immersion are worn away. And because of right immersion, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right knowledge, wrong knowledge is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong knowledge are worn away. And because of right knowledge, many skillful qualities are fully developed. For one of right freedom, wrong freedom is worn away. And the many bad, unskillful qualities that arise because of wrong freedom are worn away. And because of right freedom, many skillful qualities are fully developed. These are the ten grounds for wearing away.”
Self-check quiz
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