Seven Qualities of a Good Person (Sappurisa Dhamma)

Knowing the teaching, the meaning, oneself, moderation, time, groups and people

The seven qualities of a good person are: knowing the teachings, knowing the meaning, knowing oneself, knowing moderation, knowing the right time, knowing groups, and knowing individuals. The source is the discourse One Who Knows the Teachings (AN 7.68), where the Buddha says a mendicant with these seven is worthy of offerings and the supreme field of merit for the world. Though the discourse speaks of monks, all seven apply to everyone.

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhammaññū ca hoti atthaññū ca attaññū ca
mattaññū ca kālaññū ca parisaññū ca puggalaparoparaññū ca.

Here, mendicants, a mendicant knows the teachings, knows the meaning, knows themselves, knows moderation, knows the right time, knows groups, and knows individuals, higher and lower.

AN 7.68

The seven

1. Knowing the teachings: in the discourse, knowing the Buddha's teachings; in daily life, knowing the principles and causes behind what you do.
2. Knowing the meaning: understanding what each teaching or principle means and what it aims at.
3. Knowing oneself: knowing how far your faith, ethics, learning, generosity, wisdom and eloquence go.
4. Knowing moderation: in the discourse, knowing the right amount when receiving robes, food, lodging and medicine; for everyone, knowing what is enough in eating, using and receiving.
5. Knowing the right time: knowing when to study, when to ask, when to practise and when to be alone.
6. Knowing groups: knowing who the people before you are, and how to approach them, stand, sit, speak or stay silent fittingly.
7. Knowing individuals: knowing how people differ, such as who wants to hear the teaching, who listens closely, who remembers, who examines the meaning and who puts it into practice.

On knowing oneself, the discourse is precise:

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu attānaṁ jānāti:
ettakomhi saddhāya sīlena sutena cāgena paññāya paṭibhānenā

Here, mendicants, a mendicant knows themselves: 'This is how far my faith, ethics, learning, generosity, wisdom and eloquence go.'

AN 7.68

Practising the seven

• Before a decision, ask what the principle is and what result it aims at (the teachings and the meaning).
• Assess yourself honestly, neither inflating nor belittling yourself (oneself).
• Eat, spend and work within your means (moderation).
• Raise important matters when the other person is ready to listen (time).
• Fit your speech and manner to the setting, and see that each person needs something different (groups and individuals).

Based on: Dhammaññū Sutta (AN 7.68)