iti.14 Itivuttaka

Ignorance

This was said by the Lord…

“Bhikkhus, I do not perceive any single hindrance other than the hindrance of ignorance by which humankind is so obstructed and for so long a time runs on and wanders in saṁsāra. It is indeed through the hindrance of ignorance that humankind is obstructed and for a long time runs on and wanders in saṁsāra.”

No other single thing exists
Like the hindrance of delusion,
Which so obstructs humankind
And makes it wander on forever.

Those who have abandoned delusion,
Cleaving through this mass of darkness,
No longer roam and wander on;
In them the cause is found no more.

- Translator: John D. Ireland

- Editor: Bhikkhu Sujato

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The Shroud of Ignorance

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.
“Mendicants, I do not see a single shroud, shrouded by which people wander and transmigrate for a long time like the shroud of ignorance.
Shrouded by ignorance, people wander and transmigrate for a long time.”
The Buddha spoke this matter.
On this it is said:
“There is no other thing
that shrouds people like ignorance.
Veiled by delusion,
they transmigrate day and night.
Those who have given up delusion,
shattering the mass of darkness,
wander no more,
the root is not found in them.”
This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.