Those who are totally confused about the teachings are led by others’ views and do not awaken from sleep.

SN 1.8  Susammuṭṭha sutta - Totally Confused

Sāvatthinidānaṁ.

At Sāvatthi.

Ekamantaṁ ṭhitā kho devatā bhagavato santike imaṁ gāthaṁ abhāsi:

Standing to one side, that deity recited this verse in the presence of the Blessed One:

“Yesaṁ dhammā susammuṭṭhā,
paravādesu nīyare;
Suttā te nappabujjhanti,
kālo tesaṁ pabujjhitun”ti.

“Those |totally confused::thoroughly muddled [susammuṭṭhā]| about the |Dhamma::teachings of the Buddha that point to the nature of reality, the ultimate truth [dhamma]|
are led by the views of others;
they, being asleep, do not awaken,
though it is time for them to awaken.”

“Yesaṁ dhammā asammuṭṭhā,
paravādesu na nīyare;
Te sambuddhā sammadaññā,
caranti visame saman”ti.

[The Blessed One]: “Those who are |unconfused::unmuddled [asammuṭṭha]| about the Dhamma
are not led by the views of others;
they, awakened and |completely comprehending::fully understanding [sammadaññā]|,
fare |evenly::with balance, with peace, with tranquility [sama]| amidst the uneven.”

Qualities:

Complete comprehension

Complete comprehension

The thorough understanding of phenomena as they truly are—fully knowing their arising, passing, and the unsatisfactoriness inherent in them while they persist.

Also known as: full understanding, knowing full well, seeing things as they are
Pāli: pariññāya, sammadaññā, sampajañña, saṅkhāya
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Delusion

Delusion

A fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt.

Also known as: illusion, hallucination, misapprehension, distorted view
Pāli: moha, micchāñāṇa
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Last updated on June 10, 2026