Hindrances · SN 46.31–46.40

SN 46.31 · Skillful (1st)

SN 46.31 · Paṭhamakusalasutta

“Mendicants, whatever qualities are skillful, part of the skillful, on the side of the skillful, all of them are rooted in diligence and meet at diligence, and diligence is said to be the best of them. A mendicant who is diligent can expect to develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors.

“Ye keci, bhikkhave, dhammā kusalā kusalabhāgiyā kusalapakkhikā, sabbe te appamādamūlakā appamādasamosaraṇā; appamādo tesaṁ dhammānaṁ aggamakkhāyati. Appamattassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—satta bojjhaṅge bhāvessati, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarissati.

And how does a diligent mendicant develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors? It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a diligent mendicant develops and cultivates the seven awakening factors.”

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appamatto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaroti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu appamatto satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarotī”ti.

SN 46.32 · Skillful (2nd)

SN 46.32 · Dutiyakusalasutta

“Mendicants, whatever qualities are skillful, part of the skillful, on the side of the skillful, all of them are rooted in rational application of mind and meet at rational application of mind, and rational application of mind is said to be the best of them. A mendicant accomplished in rational application of mind can expect to develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors.

“Ye keci, bhikkhave, dhammā kusalā kusalabhāgiyā kusalapakkhikā, sabbe te yonisomanasikāramūlakā yonisomanasikārasamosaraṇā; yonisomanasikāro tesaṁ dhammānaṁ aggamakkhāyati. Yonisomanasikārasampannassetaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pāṭikaṅkhaṁ—satta bojjhaṅge bhāvessati, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarissati.

And how does a mendicant with rational application of mind develop and cultivate the seven awakening factors? It’s when a mendicant develops the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity, which rely on seclusion, fading away, and cessation, and ripen as letting go. That’s how a mendicant with rational application of mind develops and cultivates the seven awakening factors.”

Kathañca, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yonisomanasikārasampanno satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkaroti? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satisambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgaṁ bhāveti vivekanissitaṁ virāganissitaṁ nirodhanissitaṁ vossaggapariṇāmiṁ. Evaṁ kho, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yonisomanasikārasampanno satta bojjhaṅge bhāveti, satta bojjhaṅge bahulīkarotī”ti.

SN 46.33 · Corruptions

SN 46.33 · Upakkilesasutta

“Mendicants, there are these five corruptions of native gold. When native gold is corrupted by these it’s not pliable, workable, or radiant, but is brittle and not completely ready for working. What five? Iron, copper, tin, lead, and silver. When native gold is corrupted by these five corruptions it’s not pliable, workable, or radiant, but is brittle and not completely ready for working.

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, jātarūpassa upakkilesā, yehi upakkilesehi upakkiliṭṭhaṁ jātarūpaṁ na ceva mudu hoti na ca kammaniyaṁ, na ca pabhassaraṁ pabhaṅgu ca, na ca sammā upeti kammāya. Katame pañca? Ayo, bhikkhave, jātarūpassa upakkileso, yena upakkilesena upakkiliṭṭhaṁ jātarūpaṁ na ceva mudu hoti na ca kammaniyaṁ, na ca pabhassaraṁ pabhaṅgu ca, na ca sammā upeti kammāya. Lohaṁ, bhikkhave, jātarūpassa upakkileso, yena upakkilesena upakkiliṭṭhaṁ jātarūpaṁ …pe… tipu, bhikkhave, jātarūpassa upakkileso …pe… sīsaṁ, bhikkhave, jātarūpassa upakkileso …pe… sajjhu, bhikkhave, jātarūpassa upakkileso, yena upakkilesena upakkiliṭṭhaṁ jātarūpaṁ na ceva mudu hoti na ca kammaniyaṁ, na ca pabhassaraṁ pabhaṅgu ca, na ca sammā upeti kammāya. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca jātarūpassa upakkilesā, yehi upakkilesehi upakkiliṭṭhaṁ jātarūpaṁ na ceva mudu hoti na ca kammaniyaṁ, na ca pabhassaraṁ pabhaṅgu ca, na ca sammā upeti kammāya.

In the same way, there are these five corruptions of the mind. When the mind is corrupted by these it’s not pliable, workable, or radiant. It’s brittle, and not rightly immersed in samādhi for the ending of defilements. What five? Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. These are the five corruptions of the mind. When the mind is corrupted by these it’s not pliable, workable, or radiant. It’s brittle, and not rightly immersed in samādhi for the ending of defilements.”

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, pañcime cittassa upakkilesā, yehi upakkilesehi upakkiliṭṭhaṁ cittaṁ na ceva mudu hoti na ca kammaniyaṁ, na ca pabhassaraṁ pabhaṅgu ca, na ca sammā samādhiyati āsavānaṁ khayāya. Katame pañca? Kāmacchando, bhikkhave, cittassa upakkileso, yena upakkilesena upakkiliṭṭhaṁ cittaṁ na ceva mudu hoti na ca kammaniyaṁ, na ca pabhassaraṁ pabhaṅgu ca, na ca sammā samādhiyati āsavānaṁ khayāya …pe… ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca cittassa upakkilesā, yehi upakkilesehi upakkiliṭṭhaṁ cittaṁ na ceva mudu hoti na ca kammaniyaṁ, na ca pabhassaraṁ pabhaṅgu ca, na ca sammā samādhiyati āsavānaṁ khayāyā”ti.

SN 46.34 · Not Corruptions

SN 46.34 · Anupakkilesasutta

“Mendicants, these seven awakening factors are not obstacles, hindrances, or corruptions of the mind. When developed and cultivated they lead to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and freedom. What seven? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. These seven awakening factors are not obstacles, hindrances, or corruptions of the mind. When developed and cultivated they lead to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and freedom.”

“Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anupakkilesā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satisambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anupakkileso bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anupakkileso bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anupakkilesā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattantī”ti.

SN 46.35 · Irrational Application of Mind

SN 46.35 · Ayonisomanasikārasutta

“Mendicants, when you apply the mind irrationally, sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt arise, and once arisen they increase and grow.”

“Ayoniso, bhikkhave, manasikaroto anuppanno ceva kāmacchando uppajjati, uppanno ca kāmacchando bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati; anuppanno ceva byāpādo uppajjati, uppanno ca byāpādo bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati; anuppannañceva thinamiddhaṁ uppajjati, uppannañca thinamiddhaṁ bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati; anuppannañceva uddhaccakukkuccaṁ uppajjati, uppannañca uddhaccakukkuccaṁ bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati; anuppannā ceva vicikicchā uppajjati, uppannā ca vicikicchā bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Mendicants, when you apply the mind rationally, the awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity arise, and once they’ve arisen, they’re fully developed.”

“Yoniso ca kho, bhikkhave, manasikaroto anuppanno ceva satisambojjhaṅgo uppajjati, uppanno ca satisambojjhaṅgo bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati …pe… anuppanno ceva upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo uppajjati, uppanno ca upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchatī”ti.

SN 46.36 · Growth

SN 46.36 · Buddhisutta

“Mendicants, when the seven awakening factors are developed and cultivated they lead to growth and progress. What seven? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. When these seven awakening factors are developed and cultivated they lead to growth and progress.”

“Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā bahulīkatā buddhiyā aparihānāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satisambojjhaṅgo …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā bhāvitā bahulīkatā buddhiyā aparihānāya saṁvattantī”ti.

SN 46.37 · Obstacles

SN 46.37 · Āvaraṇanīvaraṇasutta

“Mendicants, there are these five obstacles and hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom. What five? Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. These are the five obstacles and hindrances, corruptions of the heart that weaken wisdom.

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso upakkilesā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā. Katame pañca? Kāmacchando, bhikkhave, āvaraṇo nīvaraṇo cetaso upakkileso paññāya dubbalīkaraṇo. Byāpādo, bhikkhave, āvaraṇo nīvaraṇo cetaso upakkileso paññāya dubbalīkaraṇo. Thinamiddhaṁ, bhikkhave, āvaraṇaṁ nīvaraṇaṁ cetaso upakkilesaṁ paññāya dubbalīkaraṇaṁ. Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ, bhikkhave, āvaraṇaṁ nīvaraṇaṁ cetaso upakkilesaṁ paññāya dubbalīkaraṇaṁ. Vicikicchā, bhikkhave, āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso upakkilesā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso upakkilesā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā.

There are these seven awakening factors that are not obstacles, hindrances, or corruptions of the mind. When developed and cultivated they lead to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and freedom. What seven? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. These seven awakening factors are not obstacles, hindrances, or corruptions of the mind. When developed and cultivated they lead to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and freedom.”

Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anupakkilesā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satisambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anupakkileso bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anupakkileso bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anupakkilesā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattantīti.

SN 46.38 · Without Obstacles

SN 46.38 · Anīvaraṇasutta

“Mendicants, sometimes a noble disciple pays attention, applies the mind, concentrates wholeheartedly, and actively listens to the teaching. At such a time the five hindrances are absent, and the seven awakening factors are fully developed.

Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako aṭṭhiṁ katvā manasi katvā sabbaṁ cetaso samannāharitvā ohitasoto dhammaṁ suṇāti, imassa pañca nīvaraṇā tasmiṁ samaye na honti. Satta bojjhaṅgā tasmiṁ samaye bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchanti.

What are the five hindrances that are absent? Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. These are the five hindrances that are absent.

Katame pañca nīvaraṇā tasmiṁ samaye na honti? Kāmacchandanīvaraṇaṁ tasmiṁ samaye na hoti, byāpādanīvaraṇaṁ tasmiṁ samaye na hoti, thinamiddhanīvaraṇaṁ tasmiṁ samaye na hoti, uddhaccakukkuccanīvaraṇaṁ tasmiṁ samaye na hoti, vicikicchānīvaraṇaṁ tasmiṁ samaye na hoti. Imassa pañca nīvaraṇā tasmiṁ samaye na honti.

And what are the seven awakening factors that are fully developed? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. These are the seven awakening factors that are fully developed. Sometimes a noble disciple pays attention, applies the mind, concentrates wholeheartedly, and actively listens to the teaching. At such a time the five hindrances are absent, and the seven awakening factors are fully developed.”

Katame satta bojjhaṅgā tasmiṁ samaye bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchanti? Satisambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo tasmiṁ samaye bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchati. Ime satta bojjhaṅgā tasmiṁ samaye bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchanti. Yasmiṁ, bhikkhave, samaye ariyasāvako aṭṭhiṁ katvā manasi katvā sabbaṁ cetaso samannāharitvā ohitasoto dhammaṁ suṇāti, imassa pañca nīvaraṇā tasmiṁ samaye na honti. Ime satta bojjhaṅgā tasmiṁ samaye bhāvanāpāripūriṁ gacchantī”ti.

SN 46.39 · Trees

SN 46.39 · Rukkhasutta

“Mendicants, there are large trees with tiny seeds and big bodies, which grow up and around other trees as parasites. The trees they engulf break apart, collapse, and fall. And what are those large trees with tiny seeds and big bodies? The peepal, banyan, wavy leaf fig, cluster fig, Moreton Bay fig, and white fig. These are the large trees with tiny seeds and big bodies, which grow up and around other trees as parasites. The trees they engulf break apart, collapse, and fall.

“Santi, bhikkhave, mahārukkhā aṇubījā mahākāyā rukkhānaṁ ajjhāruhā, yehi rukkhā ajjhārūḷhā obhaggavibhaggā vipatitā senti. Katame ca te, bhikkhave, mahārukkhā aṇubījā mahākāyā rukkhānaṁ ajjhāruhā, yehi rukkhā ajjhārūḷhā obhaggavibhaggā vipatitā senti? Assattho, nigrodho, pilakkho, udumbaro, kacchako, kapitthano— ime kho te, bhikkhave, mahārukkhā aṇubījā mahākāyā rukkhānaṁ ajjhāruhā, yehi rukkhā ajjhārūḷhā obhaggavibhaggā vipatitā senti.

In the same way, take a certain gentleman who has gone forth from the lay life to homelessness, abandoning sensual pleasures. But beset by sensual pleasures that are similar, or even worse, he breaks apart, collapses, and falls.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, idhekacco kulaputto yādisake kāme ohāya agārasmā anagāriyaṁ pabbajito hoti, so tādisakehi kāmehi tato vā pāpiṭṭhatarehi obhaggavibhaggo vipatito seti.

There are these five obstacles and hindrances, parasites of the mind that weaken wisdom. What five? Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. These are the five obstacles and hindrances, parasites of the mind that weaken wisdom.

Pañcime, bhikkhave, āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso ajjhāruhā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā. Katame pañca? Kāmacchando, bhikkhave, āvaraṇo nīvaraṇo cetaso ajjhāruho paññāya dubbalīkaraṇo. Byāpādo, bhikkhave, āvaraṇo nīvaraṇo cetaso ajjhāruho paññāya dubbalīkaraṇo. Thinamiddhaṁ, bhikkhave, āvaraṇaṁ nīvaraṇaṁ cetaso ajjhāruhaṁ paññāya dubbalīkaraṇaṁ. Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ, bhikkhave, āvaraṇaṁ nīvaraṇaṁ cetaso ajjhāruhaṁ paññāya dubbalīkaraṇaṁ. Vicikicchā, bhikkhave, āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso ajjhāruhā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso ajjhāruhā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā.

These seven awakening factors are not obstacles, hindrances, or parasites of the mind. When developed and cultivated they lead to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and freedom. What seven? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. These seven awakening factors are not obstacles, hindrances, or parasites of the mind. When developed and cultivated they lead to the realization of the fruit of knowledge and freedom.”

Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anajjhāruhā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satisambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anajjhāruho bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anajjhāruho bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anajjhāruhā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattantī”ti.

SN 46.40 · Hindrances

SN 46.40 · Nīvaraṇasutta

“Mendicants, these five hindrances are destroyers of sight, vision, and knowledge. They block wisdom, they’re on the side of distress, and they don’t lead to extinguishment. What five? Sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt. These five hindrances are destroyers of sight, vision, and knowledge. They block wisdom, they’re on the side of distress, and they don’t lead to extinguishment.

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, nīvaraṇā andhakaraṇā acakkhukaraṇā aññāṇakaraṇā paññānirodhikā vighātapakkhiyā anibbānasaṁvattanikā. Katame pañca? Kāmacchandanīvaraṇaṁ, bhikkhave, andhakaraṇaṁ acakkhukaraṇaṁ aññāṇakaraṇaṁ paññānirodhikaṁ vighātapakkhiyaṁ anibbānasaṁvattanikaṁ. Byāpādanīvaraṇaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… thinamiddhanīvaraṇaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… uddhaccakukkuccanīvaraṇaṁ, bhikkhave …pe… vicikicchānīvaraṇaṁ, bhikkhave, andhakaraṇaṁ acakkhukaraṇaṁ aññāṇakaraṇaṁ paññānirodhikaṁ vighātapakkhiyaṁ anibbānasaṁvattanikaṁ. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca nīvaraṇā andhakaraṇā acakkhukaraṇā aññāṇakaraṇā paññānirodhikā vighātapakkhiyā anibbānasaṁvattanikā.

These seven awakening factors are creators of vision and knowledge. They grow wisdom, they’re on the side of solace, and they lead to extinguishment. What seven? The awakening factors of mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity. These seven awakening factors are creators of vision and knowledge. They grow wisdom, they’re on the side of solace, and they lead to extinguishment.”

Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā cakkhukaraṇā ñāṇakaraṇā paññābuddhiyā avighātapakkhiyā nibbānasaṁvattanikā. Katame satta? Satisambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, cakkhukaraṇo ñāṇakaraṇo paññābuddhiyo avighātapakkhiyo nibbānasaṁvattaniko …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, cakkhukaraṇo ñāṇakaraṇo paññābuddhiyo avighātapakkhiyo nibbānasaṁvattaniko. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā cakkhukaraṇā ñāṇakaraṇā paññābuddhiyā avighātapakkhiyā nibbānasaṁvattanikā”ti.