The Buddha teaches a repeated formula on floods, yokes, grasping, ties, underlying tendencies, hindrances, aggregates, and fetters, showing that the four kinds of mindfulness meditation should be developed for their direct knowledge, complete understanding, and giving up in this grouped discourse.

SN 47.95-104 Higher Fetters, Etc.

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, uddhambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni. Katamāni pañca? Rūparāgo, arūparāgo, māno, uddhaccaṁ, avijjā imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañcuddhambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ uddhambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā.

Katame cattāro? Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ; vedanāsu …pe… citte …pe… dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ uddhambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

(Yathā maggasaṁyuttaṁ tathā satipaṭṭhānasaṁyuttaṁ vitthāretabbaṁ.)

Oghavaggo dasamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Ogho yogo upādānaṁ,
ganthā anusayena ca;
Kāmaguṇā nīvaraṇā,
khandhā oruddhambhāgiyāti.

Satipaṭṭhānasaṁyuttaṁ tatiyaṁ.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcimāni, bhikkhave, uddhambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni.

“Mendicants, there are five higher fetters.

Katamāni pañca?

What five?

Rūparāgo, arūparāgo, māno, uddhaccaṁ, avijjā

Desire for rebirth in the realm of luminous form, desire for rebirth in the formless realm, conceit, restlessness, and ignorance.

imāni kho, bhikkhave, pañcuddhambhāgiyāni saṁyojanāni.

These are the five higher fetters.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ uddhambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā.

The four kinds of mindfulness meditation should be developed for the direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up of these five higher fetters.

Katame cattāro?

What four?

Idha, bhikkhave, bhikkhu kāye kāyānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ;

It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

vedanāsu …pe…

They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …

citte …pe…

mind …

dhammesu dhammānupassī viharati ātāpī sampajāno satimā, vineyya loke abhijjhādomanassaṁ.

principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcannaṁ uddhambhāgiyānaṁ saṁyojanānaṁ abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya ime cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbā”ti.

These four kinds of mindfulness meditation should be developed for the direct knowledge, complete understanding, finishing, and giving up of these five higher fetters.”

Dasamaṁ.

(Yathā maggasaṁyuttaṁ tathā satipaṭṭhānasaṁyuttaṁ vitthāretabbaṁ.)

(The Linked Discourses on Mindfulness Meditation should be told in full as in the Linked Discourses on the Path. These ten discourses correspond to SN 45.171–179, with the above as the final discourse.)

Oghavaggo dasamo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Ogho yogo upādānaṁ,

Floods, yokes, grasping,

ganthā anusayena ca;

ties, and underlying tendencies,

Kāmaguṇā nīvaraṇā,

kinds of sensual stimulation, hindrances,

khandhā oruddhambhāgiyāti.

aggregates, and fetters high and low.

Satipaṭṭhānasaṁyuttaṁ tatiyaṁ.

The Linked Discourses on Mindfulness Meditation, the third section.

Topics & Qualities:

Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Direct knowledge

Direct knowledge

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

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

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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Jhana

Jhana

An abiding with a steady, collected awareness that is attained through seclusion from the five hindrances and unwholesome mental states. When supported by right view, a jhāna can be a basis for the wearing away of taints and directing the mind toward the vision of Nibbāna.

Also known as: meditation, undistracted awareness, absorption, mental absorption
Pāli: jhāna, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
View all discourses →
Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Active presence of mind and lucid retention; the faculty that remembers the Dhamma, anchors attention to the chosen object or present experience, and guards the mind against unwholesome states.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anussati
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Last updated on July 27, 2026