Reading guide
The same triad, a second new heading
SN 45.166 called these three qualities “barrenness” (khila); this discourse calls them “stains” (mala). The next discourse (SN 45.168) will call them “troubles” (nīgha) — three discourses in a row applying a different descriptive lens to the identical three qualities, confirmed by direct reading rather than assumed from the discourse titles alone.
Key terms
tīṇi malāni — “three stains” — a term for defiling qualities that mar or soil the mind, like a stain on cloth
rāgo doso moho — “greed, hate, and delusion” — the same three terms named as “barrenness” in the discourse just before this one
abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya — the four verbs established at SN 45.161-162, still implicitly governing this discourse
ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo bhāvetabbo — “the noble eightfold path should be developed” — this discourse's own base-formula conclusion
sattamaṁ — “the seventh” — the Pāli root's own closing numeral for this discourse
The text
The complete discourse. Translation: Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0, SuttaCentral).
§1“Mendicants, there are these three stains. What three? Greed, hate, and delusion. These are the three stains. The noble eightfold path should be developed for the direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up of these three stains.”
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Self-check quiz
3 questions. Click an answer to see immediate feedback. No score is recorded — this is for your own checking.
Question 1 of 3
What three qualities does this discourse name as "stains" (mala)?
Correct: A. The same triad named "barrenness" in the discourse immediately before this one.
Question 2 of 3
What pattern does this discourse confirm across SN 45.166-168?
Correct: A. Confirmed by direct reading, not merely inferred from similar-sounding titles.
Question 3 of 3
What image does the term "mala" (stain) evoke, distinct from "khila" (barrenness)?
Correct: A. Each heading in this three-discourse sequence supplies its own distinct metaphor for the same underlying triad.