The Word of the Buddha The Five Fetters
The Word of the BuddhaIV. The Path that Leads to the Extinction of Suffering
The Five Lower Fetters
Here, Ānanda, an uninstructed ordinary person, who has no regard for the Noble Ones and is unskilled and untrained in the Dhamma of the Noble Ones; who has no regard for persons of integrity, and is unskilled and untrained in the Dhamma of persons of integrity, remains entangled and afflicted by personal existence view; and does not truly understand the escape from the arisen personal existence view. For him, this personal existence view has become deep-rooted and is a lower fetter.
He remains entangled and afflicted by doubt; and he does not truly know the escape from the arisen doubt. This doubt has become deep-rooted and is a lower fetter.
He remains entangled and afflicted by clinging to rules and observances; and he does not truly know the escape from the arisen clinging to rules and observances. This attachment has become deep-rooted and is a lower fetter.
He remains entangled and afflicted by sensual desire; and he does not truly know the escape from the arisen sensual desire. This sensual desire has become deep-rooted and is a lower fetter.
He remains entangled and afflicted by ill will; and he does not truly know the escape from the arisen ill will. This ill will has become deep-rooted and is a lower fetter.
Last updated on October 20, 2026