DiscoverSNSN 45–56SN 46SN 46.121–129

The Buddha teaches a repeated formula on developing the seven awakening factors—mindfulness, investigation of principles, energy, rapture, tranquility, immersion, and equanimity—applied across varied topics in this grouped discourse.

PTS 5.136

SN 46.121–129 Floods

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, oghā. Katame cattāro? Kāmogho, bhavogho, diṭṭhogho, avijjogho”ti.

vitthāretabbaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Cattārome, bhikkhave, oghā.

“Mendicants, there are these four floods.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Kāmogho, bhavogho, diṭṭhogho, avijjogho”ti.

The floods of sensuality, desire to be reborn, views, and ignorance.”

vitthāretabbaṁ.

(Tell in full as in SN 45.171–179.)

Topics & Qualities:

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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Desire

Desire

topic
💠 neutral quality

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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Ignorance

Ignorance

☁️ dark quality

A fundamental blindness to the true nature of reality. It is not merely a lack of information, but an active misperception that views the transient as permanent and the unsatisfactory as a source of happiness, thereby fueling the cycle of suffering.

Also known as: illusion of knowing, fundamental unawareness of the true nature of reality, misunderstanding of how things have come to be, not knowing the four noble truths
Pāli: avijjā
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

☁️ dark quality

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Wrong view

Wrong view

☁️ dark quality

A distorted understanding that sees permanence in the impermanent, satisfaction in the unsatisfactory, or self in the not-self. Wrong view guides action by delusion, obscuring cause and effect, and closes the door to wisdom and release.

Also known as: distorted or inverted perception, untrue view, false belief
Pāli: micchādiṭṭhi
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Last updated on October 25, 2026

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