DiscoverSNSN 45–56SN 45SN 45.166

The Buddha teaches the bonds and that the noble eightfold path should be developed for their direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up.

SN 45.166 Kinds of Barrenness

“Tayome, bhikkhave, khilā. Katame tayo? Rāgo khilo, doso khilo, moho khilo— ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo khilā.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tiṇṇannaṁ khilānaṁ abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya …pe… ayaṁ ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo bhāvetabbo”ti.

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Tayome, bhikkhave, khilā.

“Mendicants, there are these three kinds of barrenness.

Katame tayo?

What three?

Rāgo khilo, doso khilo, moho khilo—

Greed, hate, and delusion.

ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo khilā.

These are the three kinds of barrenness.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, tiṇṇannaṁ khilānaṁ abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya …pe… ayaṁ ariyo aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo bhāvetabbo”ti.

The noble eightfold path should be developed for the direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up of these three kinds of barrenness.”

Chaṭṭhaṁ.

Topics & Qualities:

Aversion

Aversion

☁️ dark quality

A rejecting mental quality rooted in perception, where one instinctively turns away from or resists unpleasant experiences or objects; it manifests as a tendency to push away discomfort, obstructing patience and acceptance.

Also known as: animosity, hate, hostility, fault-finding mindset, upset
Pāli: dosa, paṭighasaññā, vera
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Delusion

Delusion

☁️ dark quality

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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Direct knowledge

Direct knowledge

☀️ bright quality

A deep, firsthand realization or knowing that arises from personal experience, not from study or conceptual understanding; it is an immediate, unmediated apprehension of truth.

Also known as: experiential understanding, direct experience
Pāli: abhiñña
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Giving

Giving

topic
☀️ bright quality

The act of generosity, sharing, or offering to others without expecting anything in return. Giving is considered a foundational virtue in Buddhist practice, fostering selflessness and compassion.

Also known as: generosity, charity, donation, almsgiving, donating, philanthropy, providing with, gift with
Pāli: dāna
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Giving up

Giving up

☀️ bright quality

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Greed

Greed

☁️ dark quality

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

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