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AN 6.88 
Sussūsati Sutta  
“Desiring to Listen” 
 
Translated by Bhikkhu Candana 
 
Copyright © Bhikkhu Candana 2022 
 
 
Bhikkhus, when someone has these six qualities, even if one were to listen to the True Dhamma, 
they would still be incapable of entering the correct path where one’s wholesome qualities 
blossom and thrive. What are these six? 
One does not wish to listen to the Dhamma and Discipline declared by the Tathāgata, while they 
are being taught; one does not lend an ear to even try to listen; one does not try to encourage the 
heart to understand; one quickly grabs onto the non-essential while ignoring the essential; one 
misunderstands its true and correct meaning, which he discards anyhow; one tweaks the 
Dhamma being taught, in order to make it fit the narrative of his own wrong views, that he has 
collected from here and there. 
Bhikkhus, when someone has these six qualities, even if one were to listen to the True Dhamma, 
they would still be incapable of entering the correct path where one’s wholesome qualities 
blossom and thrive.  
Bhikkhus, when someone has these six qualities, even by listening to the True Dhamma, they 
would be capable of entering the correct path where one’s wholesome qualities blossom and 
thrive. What are these six? 
One wishes to listen to the Dhamma and Discipline declared by the Tathāgata, while they are 
being taught; one lends an ear to try and listen intently; one continues to encourage the heart to 
understand; one quickly grabs onto the essential while ignoring the non-essential; one 
understands its true and correct meaning, while rejecting the false and incorrect meaning; one 
takes in the Dhamma being taught fully, without trying to fit it into a personal narrative, allowing 
the Dhamma to uproot whatever wrong views he may have left in him. 
Bhikkhus, when someone has these six qualities, even by listening to the True Dhamma, they 
would be capable of entering the correct path where one’s wholesome qualities blossom and 
thrive.  
Sadhu 
Sadhu 
Sadhu