The Buddha describes the abandoning of illusion as a security for non-returning.

ITI 3  Moha sutta - Illusion

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Ekadhammaṁ, bhikkhave, pajahatha; ahaṁ vo pāṭibhogo anāgāmitāya. Katamaṁ ekadhammaṁ? Mohaṁ, bhikkhave, ekadhammaṁ pajahatha; ahaṁ vo pāṭibhogo anāgāmitāyā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, abandon one thing; I am your |guarantor::assurer, security [pāṭibhoga]| for |non-returning::third stage of awakening where the lower five fetters of 1) personal existence: view that one is an embodied being, 2) doubt, perplexity, or indecisiveness, 3) adherence to rules and observances, 4) sensual desire, and 5) ill will are completely overcome [anāgāmitā]|. What one thing? Bhikkhus, abandon |delusion::illusion, misperception, erroneous belief, false idea, misapprehension; a fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt [moha]|; I am your guarantor for non-returning.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Yena mohena mūḷhāse,
sattā gacchanti duggatiṁ;
Taṁ mohaṁ sammadaññāya,
pajahanti vipassino;
Pahāya na punāyanti,
imaṁ lokaṁ kudācanan”ti.

“Disoriented by delusion, through which,
beings go to an unfortunate destination;
Fully understanding that delusion,
those seeing clearly abandon it;
Having abandoned it, they do not come again,
to this world at any time.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Last updated on October 23, 2025