12/04/2026
VMC 10th Anniversary of Remembrance
SAYADAWGYI U PANDITA.
1. Dhamma video by Sayadawgyi .
2. The topic is on the characters Papa- mitta( Evil companions).
3. Especially for younger generation it will be advantage to know and understand true characters of papa- mitta.
4. After understanding above one will be able to avoid and not to associate with evil- companions who are inferior interms of physical and verbal actions.
5.A “good friend” (kalyāṇa-mitta), on the other hand, is a noble and virtuous companion.
6.How can we distinguish between inferior and superior friends ? The Abhidhamma Piṭaka (Dhammasaṅgaṇī) explains as follows:
Bad Friends :
Those who lack faith, morality, learning, generosity, and wisdom are called bad friends. Specifically:
have no faith in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha, nor in kamma and its results.
lack moral discipline.
are poorly learned and lack knowledge.
are selfish and envious.
lack wisdom, especially insight knowledge.
In short: those devoid of faith, morality, learning, generosity, and wisdom are bad friends. Associating with such people is called associating with bad friends.
A verse summarizes this:
“Without faith, morality, and learning; with envy and without wisdom—avoid such bad friends.”
If one associates with such companions:
One may lose faith in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Saṅgha.
One may imitate their misconduct.
One’s morality may deteriorate.
One may develop wrong views and deviate from the true path.
Thus, such associations are dangerous and should be avoided.
Good Friends / Noble Teachers:
A good friend is the opposite:
endowed with faith,
discipline,
,
,
wisdom.
Such a person is called a kalyāṇa-mitta—a good and noble friend.
The highest good friend is the Buddha himself. Those who follow and deeply revere his teachings are said to associate with the best of friends. Next come his chief disciples, then the great arahants, and so on. Even today, those who possess these five qualities can be considered good friends.
A verse summarizes this:
“Endowed with faith, morality, learning, generosity, and wisdom—associate with such noble teachers.”
Therefore:
Avoid bad friends who lack these qualities, and associate with good friends who possess them.
In accordance with this teaching, one should resolve:
“While others may associate with bad friends, we shall associate with good friends and practice to reduce defilements.”
— Mahāsi Sayadaw (from Sallekha Sutta Discourses, Vol. 2)
