Aṅguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
VI: Nīvaraṇa Vagga

The Book of the Fives

VI: The Hindrances

Sutta 52

Akusala-Rāsi Suttaṃ

The Heap

[65] [53]

Thus have I heard:

Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park,
and there he addressed the monks, saying:

"Monks."

'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:

'"Tis¹ a heap of bad things!" monks;
and in saying this of the five hindrances,
one would speak rightly.

Indeed, monks, the whole
is a heap of bad things,
that is to say:
the five hindrances.

What five?

The hindrance of sensual desire,
the hindrance of ill-will,
the hindrance of sloth and torpor,
the hindrance of flurry and worry,
the hindrance of doubt.

"Tis a heap of bad things!" monks;
and in saying this of the five hindrances,
one would speak rightly.

Indeed, monks, the whole
is a heap of bad things,
that is to say:
the five hindrances.'