The Buddha explains what causes the hindrances to arise and how to abandon them.

AN 1.11-20  Nīvaraṇappahāna vagga - The Chapter on the Abandoning of the Hindrances

1.11

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppanno kāmacchando uppajjati uppanno kāmacchando bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, subhanimittaṁ. Subhanimittaṁ, bhikkhave, ayoniso manasi karoto anuppanno ceva kāmacchando uppajjati uppanno ca kāmacchando bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen |sensual desire::interest in sensual pleasure, sensual impulse [kāmacchanda]| to arise, or arisen sensual desire to increase and expand, as |the sign of the beautiful::a beautiful mental image, an attractive object that is the basis for lust [subhanimitta]|. Bhikkhus, when one does not wisely attend to the sign of the beautiful, unarisen sensual desire arises, and arisen sensual desire increases and expands.”

Paṭhamaṁ.

First.

1.12

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppanno byāpādo uppajjati uppanno byāpādo bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, paṭighanimittaṁ. Paṭighanimittaṁ, bhikkhave, ayoniso manasi karoto anuppanno ceva byāpādo uppajjati uppanno ca byāpādo bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen |ill will::intentional act of mentally opposing or rejecting others; an intentional construct fueled by aversion, directed against kindness or compassion. It manifests as hostility of will, impeding goodwill and fostering internal or external conflict. [byāpāda]| to arise, or arisen ill will to increase and expand, as an |aversive mental image::sign of resistance, mental image which agitates or disturbs one [paṭighanimitta]|. Bhikkhus, when one does not wisely attend to the sign of resistance, unarisen ill will arises, and arisen ill will increases and expands.”

Dutiyaṁ.

Second.

1.13

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannaṁ thinamiddhaṁ uppajjati uppannaṁ thinamiddhaṁ bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, arati tandī vijambhitā bhattasammado cetaso ca līnattaṁ. Līnacittassa, bhikkhave, anuppannañceva thinamiddhaṁ uppajjati uppannañca thinamiddhaṁ bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen |dullness and drowsiness::lack of mental clarity or alertness, mental sluggishness, lethargy, sleepiness lit. stiffness (of mind/body due to tiredness) [thinamiddha]| to arise, or arisen dullness and drowsiness to increase and expand, as |dissatisfaction::dislike, discontent, aversion, boredom [arati]|, |laziness::sloth, tiredness [tandī]|, yawning, |drowsiness after eating::passing out after a meal [bhattasammada]|, and |sluggishness::stickiness, inertia [līnatta]| of mind. Bhikkhus, when the mind is sluggish, unarisen dullness and drowsiness arises, and arisen dullness and drowsiness increases and expands.”

Tatiyaṁ.

Third.

1.14

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannaṁ uddhaccakukkuccaṁ uppajjati uppannaṁ uddhaccakukkuccaṁ bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, cetaso avūpasamo. Avūpasantacittassa, bhikkhave, anuppannañceva uddhaccakukkuccaṁ uppajjati uppannañca uddhaccakukkuccaṁ bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen |restlessness and worry::agitation and edginess, distraction, fidgeting, fiddling, uneasiness [uddhaccakukkucca]| to arise, or arisen restlessness and worry to increase and expand, as an unsettled mind. Bhikkhus, when the mind is unsettled, unarisen restlessness and worry arises, and arisen restlessness and worry increases and expands.”

Catutthaṁ.

Fourth.

1.15

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā vicikicchā uppajjati uppannā vicikicchā bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, ayonisomanasikāro. Ayoniso, bhikkhave, manasi karoto anuppannā ceva vicikicchā uppajjati uppannā ca vicikicchā bhiyyobhāvāya vepullāya saṁvattatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen doubt to arise, or arisen doubt to increase and expand, as |unwise attention::improper attention, imprudent use of the mind [ayonisomanasikāra]|. Bhikkhus, when one does not wisely attend, unarisen doubt arises, and arisen doubt increases and expands.”

Pañcamaṁ.

Fifth.

1.16

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppanno kāmacchando nuppajjati uppanno kāmacchando pahīyati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, asubhanimittaṁ. Asubhanimittaṁ, bhikkhave, yoniso manasi karoto anuppanno ceva kāmacchando nuppajjati uppanno ca kāmacchando pahīyatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen sensual desire from arising, or causes arisen sensual desire to be abandoned, as an |unattractive mental image::sign of the unattractive, repulsive mental image, unattractive appearance [asubhanimitta]|. Bhikkhus, when one wisely attends to the sign of the unattractive, unarisen sensual desire does not arise, and arisen sensual desire is abandoned.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Sixth.

1.17

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppanno byāpādo nuppajjati uppanno byāpādo pahīyati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, mettā cetovimutti. Mettaṁ, bhikkhave, cetovimuttiṁ yoniso manasi karoto anuppanno ceva byāpādo nuppajjati uppanno ca byāpādo pahīyatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen ill will from arising, or causes arisen ill will to be abandoned, as the |release of mind::mental liberation, emancipation of heart, a meditation attainment [cetovimutti]| through |loving-kindness::goodwill, friendliness, benevolence [metta]|. Bhikkhus, when one wisely attends to the release of mind through loving-kindness, unarisen ill will does not arise, and arisen ill will is abandoned.”

Sattamaṁ.

Seventh.

1.18

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannaṁ thinamiddhaṁ nuppajjati uppannaṁ thinamiddhaṁ pahīyati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, ārambhadhātu nikkamadhātu parakkamadhātu. Āraddhavīriyassa, bhikkhave, anuppannañceva thinamiddhaṁ nuppajjati uppannañca thinamiddhaṁ pahīyatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen dullness and drowsiness from arising, or causes arisen dullness and drowsiness to be abandoned, as |rousing of energy::initiative, first effort [ārambhadhātu]|, |principle of endurance::element of persistence, stronger effort [nikkamadhātu]|, and |continuous effort::perseverance, striving [parakkamadhātu]|. Bhikkhus, when one is energetic, unarisen dullness and drowsiness do not arise, and arisen dullness and drowsiness are abandoned.”

Aṭṭhamaṁ.

Eighth.

1.19

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannaṁ uddhaccakukkuccaṁ nuppajjati uppannaṁ uddhaccakukkuccaṁ pahīyati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, cetaso vūpasamo. Vūpasantacittassa, bhikkhave, anuppannañceva uddhaccakukkuccaṁ nuppajjati uppannañca uddhaccakukkuccaṁ pahīyatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen restlessness and worry from arising, or causes arisen restlessness and worry to be abandoned, as |settling of::calming of, subsiding of, conciliation of, peace of [vūpasama]| the mind. Bhikkhus, when the mind is settled, unarisen restlessness and worry do not arise, and arisen restlessness and worry are abandoned.”

Navamaṁ.

Ninth.

1.20

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekadhammampi samanupassāmi yena anuppannā vicikicchā nuppajjati uppannā vicikicchā pahīyati yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, yonisomanasikāro. Yoniso, bhikkhave, manasi karoto anuppannā ceva vicikicchā nuppajjati uppannā ca vicikicchā pahīyatī”ti.

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen doubt from arising, or causes arisen doubt to be abandoned, as |wise attention::proper attention, prudent use of the mind, wise reflection, attention to the source [yoniso + manasikāra]|. Bhikkhus, when one wisely attends, unarisen doubt does not arise, and arisen doubt is abandoned.”

Dasamaṁ.

Tenth.

Topics & Qualities:

Laziness

Laziness

Unwillingness or lack of energy and motivation to engage in wholesome activities or exert effort, leading to stagnation and missed opportunities for growth.

Also known as: sloth, indolence, sluggishness, idleness, inactivity
Pāli: kosajja, tandī, ālasya, kusīta
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Liberation

Liberation

Liberation can imply a temporary release of the mind, i.e. liberated from certain unwholesome mental qualities or complete liberation from all unwholesome qualities of the mind, i.e. Nibbāna.

Also known as: freedom, release, emancipation, deliverance
Pāli: vimutti, vimokkha, cetovimutti, paññāvimutti, akuppā cetovimutti
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Loving Kindness

Loving Kindness

The practice of developing boundless love and goodwill toward all beings, starting with oneself and extending outward.

Also known as: metta practice, unconditional love, goodwill meditation, goodwill, benevolence, kindness, friendliness
Pāli: mettā, metta, abyāpāda, abyāpajja
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Continuous effort

Continuous effort

The flame of effort. It is the application of diligence put into moment-to-moment continuity

Also known as: unremitting effort, ardent, persistent, zealous, unflagging endeavor
Pāli: ātāpī, parakkamma
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Rousing of energy

Rousing of energy

The arousing of effort and determination in body and mind. It begins with confidence and reflection on purpose, stirring energy for wholesome action.

Also known as: determination, being energetic, taking initiative, making a mental decision to act
Pāli: vīriyārambha, āraddhavīriya, uṭṭhānavant, atandita, pahitatta
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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Vigour

Vigour

Energetic effort and resilience in practice. It is the refusal to shrink back, the 'uphill' force that initiates and sustains wholesome actions against the gravity of habit.

Also known as: energy, effort, enthusiasm, zeal, application of will, persistence
Pāli: vīriya
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Wise attention

Wise attention

Paying attention to the point of contact where experience originates. It discerns the specific cause of the present moment, preventing the mind from drifting into proliferation.

Also known as: proper attention, prudent use of the mind, attention to the source
Pāli: yonisomanasikāra
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Anxiety

Anxiety

A fluttering, unsettled state of mind, worried about past or future and unsure what is right to do. It keeps the mind circling around concerns without resolution, weakening confidence and obscuring calm discernment.

Also known as: agitation, confusion about what is right and wrong, distress, fickleness, fidgetiness, edginess, restlessness, wavering, worry
Pāli: kukkucca, uddhacca, darathaja
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Aversion

Aversion

A rejecting mental quality rooted in perception, where one instinctively turns away from or resists unpleasant experiences or objects; it manifests as a tendency to push away discomfort, obstructing patience and acceptance.

Also known as: animosity, hate, hostility, fault-finding mindset, upset
Pāli: dosa, paṭighasaññā, vera
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Doubt

Doubt

Paralyzing indecision about the path or practice. Doubt obstructs confidence and clarity.

Also known as: confusion, indecisiveness, uncertainty, wavering, perplexity
Pāli: vicikiccha, kaṅkhā, vimati
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Drowsiness

Drowsiness

A heaviness or stiffness of the mind that leads to sleepiness. It shrouds clarity like a fog, making the mind unwieldy and prone to drifting away from its object.

Also known as: sleepiness, torpor, feeling lethargic, lit. stiffness (of mind/body due to tiredness)
Pāli: middha
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Dullness

Dullness

Mental stagnation and lack of driving power. It is an inertia where the mind feels thick and incapable of active engagement or investigation.

Also known as: lack of mental clarity or alertness, inertia, mental sluggishness, inattentiveness or lack of sharpness
Pāli: thina
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Passion

Passion

Intense desire or lust that dyes the mind. It fixates on the features of objects, coloring perception with infatuation and making it difficult to see things as they truly are.

Also known as: burning fever, intense desire, strong emotion, infatuation, obsession, lust
Pāli: rāga
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Suffering

Suffering

Unpleasantness, discontentment, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, i.e. mild or intense suffering that is inherent in conditioned existence.

Also known as: discomfort, unpleasantness, discontentedness, dissatisfaction, stress, pain, disease, distress, affliction
Pāli: dukkha
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Last updated on April 12, 2026