The four knots of 1) craving, 2) ill will, 3) clinging to rules and observances, and 4) clinging to the idea that 'This is the truth' are described in brief. The Noble Eightfold Path is the way for direct knowledge, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these knots.

SN 45.174 Gantha sutta - Knots

“Bhikkhus, there are these four knots. What four? 1) The knot of |craving::greediness, wanting, yearning [abhijjhā]|, 2) the knot of |ill will::aversion, anger, contempt, resentment [byāpāda]|, 3) the knot of |clinging to rules and observances::clinging to precepts and practices, adherence to rites and rituals [sīlabbataparāmāsa]|, and 4) the knot of |clinging to the idea that ‘This is the truth’::dogmatic attachment to views [idaṃsaccābhinivesa]|. These are the four knots.

Bhikkhus, for the |direct knowledge::experiential understanding [abhiññāya]|, |full understanding::complete comprehension [pariññāya]|, |complete exhaustion::gradual and complete wearing away [parikkhaya]|, and for |giving up::letting go, abandoning [pahāna]| of these four knots, the Noble Eightfold Path |should be cultivated::should be developed [bhāvetabba]|.”

Last updated on July 4, 2025

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