8.
The Discourse on Obstructions and Mental Hindrances
219.
"Monks, these five are obstructions, mental hindrances, impurities of the mind, weakeners of wisdom.
Which five?
Sensual desire, monks, is an obstruction, a mental hindrance, an impurity of the mind, a weakener of wisdom.
Anger, monks, is an obstruction, a mental hindrance, an impurity of the mind, a weakener of wisdom.
Sloth and torpor, monks, is an obstruction, a mental hindrance, an impurity of the mind, a weakener of wisdom.
Restlessness and remorse, monks, is an obstruction, a mental hindrance, an impurity of the mind, a weakener of wisdom.
Sceptical doubt, monks, is an obstruction, a mental hindrance, an impurity of the mind, a weakener of wisdom.
These, monks, are the five obstructions, mental hindrances, impurities of the mind, weakeners of wisdom.
"Monks, these seven factors of enlightenment are without obstruction, without hindrance, are not impurities of the mind; when developed and cultivated, they lead to the realisation of the fruit of true knowledge and liberation. Which seven? The enlightenment factor of mindfulness, monks, is without obstruction, without hindrance, is not an impurity of the mind; when developed and cultivated, it leads to the realisation of the fruit of true knowledge and liberation. Etc. The enlightenment factor of equanimity, monks, is without obstruction, without hindrance, is not an impurity of the mind; when developed and cultivated, it leads to the realisation of the fruit of true knowledge and liberation. These, monks, are the seven factors of enlightenment which are without obstruction, without hindrance, are not impurities of the mind; when developed and cultivated, they lead to the realisation of the fruit of true knowledge and liberation.
"At the time, monks, when a noble disciple, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listens to the Teaching with ears inclined, for him the five mental hindrances are not present at that time. The seven factors of enlightenment at that time go to fulfilment through development.
"Which five mental hindrances are not present at that time? The mental hindrance of sensual desire is not present at that time, the mental hindrance of anger is not present at that time, the mental hindrance of sloth and torpor is not present at that time, the mental hindrance of restlessness and remorse is not present at that time, the mental hindrance of sceptical doubt is not present at that time. For him the five mental hindrances are not present at that time.
"Which seven factors of enlightenment at that time go to fulfilment through development? The enlightenment factor of mindfulness at that time goes to fulfilment through development. Etc. The enlightenment factor of equanimity at that time goes to fulfilment through development. These seven factors of enlightenment at that time go to fulfilment through development. At the time, monks, when a noble disciple, having given attention, having reflected, having collected together with the whole mind, listens to the Teaching with ears inclined, for him the five mental hindrances are not present at that time. These seven factors of enlightenment at that time go to fulfilment through development." The eighth.