The Buddha teaches on shackles of the heart, presenting a ninefold teaching for disciples on the path.

AN 9.92 Shackles of the Heart

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, cetasovinibandhā. Katame pañca? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāmesu avītarāgo hoti …pe… ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca cetasovinibandhā.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ cetasovinibandhānaṁ pahānāya ime cattāro iddhipādā bhāvetabbā. Katame cattāro? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti, vīriyasamādhicittasamādhivīmaṁsāsamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti. Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ cetasovinibandhānaṁ pahānāya ime cattāro iddhipādā bhāvetabbā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Iddhipādavaggo catuttho.

Yatheva satipaṭṭhānā,
padhānā caturopi ca;
Cattāro iddhipādā ca,
tatheva sampayojayeti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, cetasovinibandhā.

“Mendicants, there are these five shackles of the heart.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāmesu avītarāgo hoti …pe…

Firstly, a mendicant isn’t free of greed for sensual pleasures. …

ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca cetasovinibandhā.

These are the five shackles of the heart.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ cetasovinibandhānaṁ pahānāya ime cattāro iddhipādā bhāvetabbā.

To give up these five shackles of the heart you should develop the four bases of psychic power.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu chandasamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti,

It’s when a mendicant develops the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to enthusiasm, and active effort.

vīriyasamādhi

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to energy, and active effort.

cittasamādhi

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to mental development, and active effort.

vīmaṁsāsamādhipadhānasaṅkhārasamannāgataṁ iddhipādaṁ bhāveti.

They develop the basis of psychic power that has immersion due to inquiry, and active effort.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ cetasovinibandhānaṁ pahānāya ime cattāro iddhipādā bhāvetabbā”ti.

To give up these five shackles of the heart you should develop these four bases of psychic power.”

Dasamaṁ.

Iddhipādavaggo catuttho.

Yatheva satipaṭṭhānā,

padhānā caturopi ca;

Cattāro iddhipādā ca,

tatheva sampayojayeti.

Topics & Qualities:

Collectedness

Collectedness

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: mental composure, stability of mind, stillness of mind, concentration, undistracted awareness
Pāli: samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
View all discourses →
Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
View all discourses →
Greed

Greed

A grasping mental quality of craving, possessiveness, or lustful wanting that clings to objects or experiences; it fuels attachment and obstructs renunciation and contentment

Also known as: acquisitiveness, avarice, covetousness, rapacity, money grabbing, grabbiness
Pāli: lobha, gedha
View all discourses →
Psychic power

Psychic power

Supernormal capacities resulting from a practice of collectedness rooted in aspiration, determination, purification of mind, and investigation of phenomena.

Also known as: supernormal abilities, psychic ability, spiritual power
Pāli: iddhi, iddhimant
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →
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
View all discourses →

Last updated on July 27, 2026