Majjhima Nikāya 16 Cetokhilasutta Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā sāvatthiyaṁ viharati jetavane anāthapiṇḍikassa ārāme.

Cetokhila sutta - Barriers Of The Mind

Thus have I heard:

At one time the Blessed One was dwelling in Sāvatthī, in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.

Tatra kho bhagavā bhikkhū āmantesi: “bhikkhavo”ti.

There the Blessed One addressed the disciples, saying, Disciples.

“Bhadante”ti te bhikkhū bhagavato paccassosuṁ.

Venerable sir, those disciples replied to the Blessed One.

Bhagavā etadavoca: “Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pañca cetokhilā appahīnā, pañca cetasovinibandhā asamucchinnā, so vatimasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatīti—netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

The Blessed One said this,

Disciples, if any disciple has not abandoned the five mental obstructions, has not cut off the five mental fetters, it is impossible that he could achieve growth, increase, and abundance in this Dhamma and Discipline.

Katamāssa pañca cetokhilā appahīnā honti?

What are the five mental obstructions that he has not abandoned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satthari kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati.

Here a disciple doubts and is uncertain about the Teacher, he does not have full confidence, he is not pleased.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satthari kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati tassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

If a disciple doubts the Teacher, is uncertain, does not have full confidence, is not pleased, his mind does not incline towards ardor, endeavor, perseverance, and striving.

Yassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ paṭhamo cetokhilo appahīno hoti.

If his mind does not incline towards ardor, endeavor, perseverance, and striving, this is the first mental obstruction that is not abandoned.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhamme kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati …pe…

Again, a disciple doubts and is uncertain about the Dhamma, he does not have full confidence, he is not pleased...

evamassāyaṁ dutiyo cetokhilo appahīno hoti.

thus this is the second mental obstruction that is not abandoned.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saṅghe kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati …pe…

Again, a disciple doubts and is uncertain about the Sangha, he does not have full confidence, he is not pleased...

evamassāyaṁ tatiyo cetokhilo appahīno hoti.

thus this is the third mental obstruction that is not abandoned.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sikkhāya kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati.

Again, a disciple doubts and is uncertain about the training, he does not have full confidence, he is not pleased.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sikkhāya kaṅkhati vicikicchati nādhimuccati na sampasīdati, tassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

If a disciple doubts the training, is uncertain, does not have full confidence, is not pleased, his mind does not incline towards ardor, endeavor, perseverance, and striving.

Yassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ catuttho cetokhilo appahīno hoti.

If his mind does not incline towards ardor, endeavor, perseverance, and striving, this is the fourth mental obstruction that is not abandoned.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīsu kupito hoti anattamano āhatacitto khilajāto.

Again, a disciple is angry, displeased, and resentful towards his fellow practitioners.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīsu kupito hoti anattamano āhatacitto khilajāto, tassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

If a disciple is angry, displeased, and resentful towards his fellow practitioners, his mind does not incline towards ardor, endeavor, perseverance, and striving.

Yassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ pañcamo cetokhilo appahīno hoti.

If his mind does not incline towards ardor, endeavor, perseverance, and striving, this is the fifth mental obstruction that is not abandoned.

Imāssa pañca cetokhilā appahīnā honti.

These are the five mental obstructions that are not abandoned.

Katamāssa pañca cetasovinibandhā asamucchinnā honti?

What are the five mental fetters that are not cut off?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāme avītarāgo hoti avigatacchando avigatapemo avigatapipāso avigatapariḷāho avigatataṇho. Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāme avītarāgo hoti avigatacchando avigatapemo avigatapipāso avigatapariḷāho avigatataṇho, tassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

Here a disciple is not free from greed, is not free from desire, is not free from affection, is not free from thirst, is not free from burning passion, is not free from craving for sensual pleasures.

Disciples, if any disciple has not extinguished passion for sensual pleasures, his mind does not bend towards ardor, exertion, perseverance, and struggle.

Yassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ paṭhamo cetasovinibandho asamucchinno hoti.

For him whose mind does not bend towards ardor, exertion, perseverance, and struggle, thus is this first mental bond not cut off.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye avītarāgo hoti …pe…

Again if any disciple has not extinguished passion for the body, ...

evamassāyaṁ dutiyo cetasovinibandho asamucchinno hoti.

thus is this second mental bond not cut off.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu rūpe avītarāgo hoti …pe…

Again if any disciple has not extinguished passion for form, ...

evamassāyaṁ tatiyo cetasovinibandho asamucchinno hoti.

thus is this third mental bond not cut off.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyutto viharati.

Again if any disciple, after consuming as much nourishment as needed to sustain life, indulges in the comfort of bed, sloth, and drowsiness.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyutto viharati, tassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

Disciples, a disciple who, after consuming as much nourishment as needed to sustain life, indulges in the comfort of bed, sloth, and drowsiness, his mind does not bend towards ardor, exertion, perseverance, and struggle.

Yassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ catuttho cetasovinibandho asamucchinno hoti.

For him whose mind does not bend towards ardor, exertion, perseverance, and struggle, thus is this fourth mental bond not cut off.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ devanikāyaṁ paṇidhāya brahmacariyaṁ carati: ‘imināhaṁ sīlena vā vatena vā tapena vā brahmacariyena vā devo vā bhavissāmi devaññataro vā’ti. Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu aññataraṁ devanikāyaṁ paṇidhāya brahmacariyaṁ carati: ‘imināhaṁ sīlena vā vatena vā tapena vā brahmacariyena vā devo vā bhavissāmi devaññataro vā’ti, tassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya. Yassa cittaṁ na namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ pañcamo cetasovinibandho asamucchinno hoti.

Again if any disciple practices the holy life aspiring for a certain divine body.

Disciples, a disciple who practices the holy life aspiring for a certain divine body, his mind does not bend towards ardor, exertion, perseverance, and struggle. Thus is this fifth mental bond not cut off.

Imāssa pañca cetasovinibandhā asamucchinnā honti.

These five mental bonds are not cut off.

Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ime pañca cetokhilā appahīnā, ime pañca cetasovinibandhā asamucchinnā, so vatimasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatīti—netaṁ ṭhānaṁ vijjati.

For any disciple who has not abandoned these five mental fetters, these five mental bonds are not severed, he will not achieve growth, increase, or fulfillment in this Dharma and discipline:such a state does not exist.

Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno pañca cetokhilā pahīnā, pañca cetasovinibandhā susamucchinnā, so vatimasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatīti—ṭhānametaṁ vijjati.

For any disciple who has abandoned these five mental fetters, and these five mental bonds are thoroughly severed, he will achieve growth, increase, or fulfillment in this Dharma and discipline:such a state exists.

Katamāssa pañca cetokhilā pahīnā honti?

What are the five mental fetters that are abandoned?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satthari na kaṅkhati na vicikicchati adhimuccati sampasīdati.

Here a disciple does not doubt or question the Teacher, has firm resolution and confidence.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu satthari na kaṅkhati na vicikicchati adhimuccati sampasīdati, tassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

Disciples, a disciple who does not doubt or question the Teacher, has firm resolution and confidence, his mind bends towards ardor, exertion, perseverance, and struggle.

Yassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ paṭhamo cetokhilo pahīno hoti.

Whose mind inclines towards diligence in commitment, constancy, and striving, thus is the first mental obstruction eliminated for him.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu dhamme na kaṅkhati na vicikicchati adhimuccati sampasīdati …pe…

Again a disciple does not doubt or hesitate about the Dhamma, but is resolved and gains confidence...

evamassāyaṁ dutiyo cetokhilo pahīno hoti.

thus is the second mental obstruction eliminated for him.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu saṅghe na kaṅkhati na vicikicchati adhimuccati sampasīdati …pe…

Again a disciple does not doubt or hesitate about the Sangha, but is resolved and gains confidence...

evamassāyaṁ tatiyo cetokhilo pahīno hoti.

thus is the third mental obstruction eliminated for him.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sikkhāya na kaṅkhati na vicikicchati adhimuccati sampasīdati …pe…

Again a disciple does not doubt or hesitate about the training, but is resolved and gains confidence...

evamassāyaṁ catuttho cetokhilo pahīno hoti.

thus is the fourth mental obstruction eliminated for him.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīsu na kupito hoti na anattamano anāhatacitto akhilajāto.

Again a disciple is not angry, not displeased, has an unshaken mind, and does not harbor ill will towards fellow spiritual practitioners.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu sabrahmacārīsu na kupito hoti na anattamano anāhatacitto akhilajāto, tassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

Such a disciple is not angry, not displeased, has an unshaken mind, and does not harbor ill will towards fellow spiritual practitioners; his mind inclines towards diligence in commitment, constancy, and striving.

Yassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ pañcamo cetokhilo pahīno hoti.

Whose mind inclines towards diligence in commitment, constancy, and striving, thus is the fifth mental obstruction eliminated for him.

Imāssa pañca cetokhilā pahīnā honti.

These five mental obstructions are eradicated.

Katamāssa pañca cetasovinibandhā susamucchinnā honti?

What are the five mental fetters that are completely severed for him?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāme vītarāgo hoti vigatacchando vigatapemo vigatapipāso vigatapariḷāho vigatataṇho.

Here a disciple is free from greed for sense pleasures, devoid of desire, devoid of affection, devoid of thirst, devoid of fever, devoid of craving.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāme vītarāgo hoti vigatacchando vigatapemo vigatapipāso vigatapariḷāho vigatataṇho, tassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

Such a disciple is free from greed for sense pleasures, devoid of desire, devoid of affection, devoid of thirst, devoid of fever, devoid of craving; his mind inclines towards diligence in commitment, constancy, and striving.

Yassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ paṭhamo cetasovinibandho susamucchinno hoti.

Whose mind inclines towards diligence in commitment, constancy, and striving, thus is the first mental fetter completely severed for him.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye vītarāgo hoti …pe…

Again a disciple is free from greed for the body...

rūpe vītarāgo hoti …pe…

free from greed for forms...

na yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyutto viharati.

does not dwell indulging in the comforts of food enforcement, the pleasure of lying down, the pleasure of sloth, the pleasure of sleep.

Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na yāvadatthaṁ udarāvadehakaṁ bhuñjitvā seyyasukhaṁ passasukhaṁ middhasukhaṁ anuyutto viharati, tassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya.

Such a disciple does not dwell indulging in these comforts; his mind inclines towards diligence in commitment, constancy, and striving.

Yassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ catuttho cetasovinibandho susamucchinno hoti.

Whose mind inclines towards diligence in commitment, constancy, and striving, thus is the fourth mental fetter completely severed for him.

Puna caparaṁ, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na aññataraṁ devanikāyaṁ paṇidhāya brahmacariyaṁ carati: ‘imināhaṁ sīlena vā vatena vā tapena vā brahmacariyena vā devo vā bhavissāmi devaññataro vā’ti. Yo so, bhikkhave, bhikkhu na aññataraṁ devanikāyaṁ paṇidhāya brahmacariyaṁ carati: ‘imināhaṁ sīlena vā vatena vā tapena vā brahmacariyena vā devo vā bhavissāmi devaññataro vā’ti, tassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya. Yassa cittaṁ namati ātappāya anuyogāya sātaccāya padhānāya, evamassāyaṁ pañcamo cetasovinibandho susamucchinno hoti.

Again a disciple does not undertake the holy life with the thought directed toward some celestial realm.

Disciples, the disciple who practices the holy life without aiming at any particular divine realm, whose mind inclines towards exertion, dedication, persistence, and striving, will have the fifth mental bond thoroughly cut off. These five mental bonds become thoroughly severed for such a one.

For any disciple who has abandoned these five mental obstructions and thoroughly severed these five mental bonds, it is possible for him to achieve growth, increase, and expanse in this Dhamma-Vinaya.

Imāssa pañca cetasovinibandhā susamucchinnā honti. Yassa kassaci, bhikkhave, bhikkhuno ime pañca cetokhilā pahīnā, ime pañca cetasovinibandhā susamucchinnā, so vatimasmiṁ dhammavinaye vuddhiṁ virūḷhiṁ vepullaṁ āpajjissatīti—ṭhānametaṁ vijjati. So chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīriyasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, cittasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīmaṁsāsamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, ussoḷhīyeva pañcamī.

This disciple develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to desire and volitional formations of striving; develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to energy and volitional formations of striving; develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to the mind and volitional formations of striving; develops the base of spiritual power endowed with concentration due to investigation and volitional formations of striving, with perseverance as the fifth.

Sa kho so, bhikkhave, evaṁ ussoḷhipannarasaṅgasamannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo abhinibbidāya, bhabbo sambodhāya, bhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāya.

Indeed a disciple thus endowed with these sixteen factors of perseverance is capable of disillusionment, capable of enlightenment, capable of attaining the supreme security from bondage.

Seyyathāpi, bhikkhave, kukkuṭiyā aṇḍāni aṭṭha vā dasa vā dvādasa vā. Tānassu kukkuṭiyā sammā adhisayitāni sammā pariseditāni sammā paribhāvitāni.

Just as there might be eight or ten or twelve eggs of a hen, properly incubated, warmed, and fostered by the hen.

Kiñcāpi tassā kukkuṭiyā na evaṁ icchā uppajjeyya: ‘aho vatime kukkuṭapotakā pādanakhasikhāya vā mukhatuṇḍakena vā aṇḍakosaṁ padāletvā sotthinā abhinibbhijjeyyun’ti. Atha kho bhabbāva te kukkuṭapotakā pādanakhasikhāya vā mukhatuṇḍakena vā aṇḍakosaṁ padāletvā sotthinā abhinibbhijjituṁ.

Even if the hen does not wish, Oh, may these chicks break through the eggshell with their claws or beaks and safely hatch out, nevertheless the chicks are capable of breaking the eggshell with their claws or beaks and safely hatching out.

Evameva kho, bhikkhave, evaṁ ussoḷhipannarasaṅgasamannāgato bhikkhu bhabbo abhinibbidāya, bhabbo sambodhāya, bhabbo anuttarassa yogakkhemassa adhigamāyā”ti.

In the same way a disciple thus endowed with these sixteen factors of perseverance is capable of disillusionment, capable of enlightenment, capable of attaining the supreme security from bondage.

Idamavoca bhagavā.

Thus spoke the Blessed One.

Attamanā te bhikkhū bhagavato bhāsitaṁ abhinandunti.

Elated, those disciples delighted in the Blessed One's words.

Cetokhilasuttaṁ niṭṭhitaṁ chaṭṭhaṁ.

The discourse on mental obstruction is complete, the sixth.