The Buddha teaches how contemplating the six sense bases leads to the fading away of the fetters and the ending of suffering.

SN 35.122 Things That Tighten Fetters

“Saṁyojaniye ca, bhikkhave, dhamme desessāmi saṁyojanañca. Taṁ suṇātha.

Katame ca, bhikkhave, saṁyojaniyā dhammā, katamañca saṁyojanaṁ? Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, saṁyojaniyā dhammā. Yo tattha chandarāgo, taṁ tattha saṁyojanaṁ …pe…

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe… santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā. Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, saṁyojaniyā dhammā. Yo tattha chandarāgo taṁ tattha saṁyojanan”ti.

Navamaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Saṁyojaniye ca, bhikkhave, dhamme desessāmi saṁyojanañca.

“Mendicants, I will teach you the things that tighten the fetters, and the fetter.

Taṁ suṇātha.

Listen …

Katame ca, bhikkhave, saṁyojaniyā dhammā, katamañca saṁyojanaṁ?

What are the things that tighten the fetters? And what is the fetter?

Santi, bhikkhave, cakkhuviññeyyā rūpā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

There are sights known by the eye, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, saṁyojaniyā dhammā.

These are called the things that tighten the fetters.

Yo tattha chandarāgo, taṁ tattha saṁyojanaṁ …pe…

The desire and greed for them is the fetter.

santi, bhikkhave, jivhāviññeyyā rasā …pe…

There are sounds … smells … tastes … touches …

santi, bhikkhave, manoviññeyyā dhammā iṭṭhā kantā manāpā piyarūpā kāmūpasaṁhitā rajanīyā.

thoughts known by the mind, which are likable, desirable, agreeable, pleasant, sensual, and arousing.

Ime vuccanti, bhikkhave, saṁyojaniyā dhammā.

These are called the things that tighten the fetters.

Yo tattha chandarāgo taṁ tattha saṁyojanan”ti.

The desire and greed for them is the fetter.”

Navamaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Craving

Craving

A driving ‘thirst’ that reaches out toward experiences, identities, or outcomes as the place to find satisfaction—“if only I had that.” It spins stories of lack, binds the mind to becoming, and invariably leads to suffering.

Also known as: wanting, yearning, longing, lit. thirst
Pāli: taṇha, abhijjhā
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Desire

Desire

A wholesome motivation, interest, or objective that acts as the starting point for effort and application of will.

Also known as: aspiration, interest, wish, having an objective, intention, impulse
Pāli: chanda
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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
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Last updated on July 27, 2026