sn.12.53 Saṁyutta Nikāya (Linked Discourses)

Fetters (1)

At Savatthī. “Bhikkhus, when one dwells contemplating gratification in things that can fetter, craving increases. With craving as condition, clinging comes to be; with clinging as condition, existence; with existence as condition, birth; with birth as condition, aging-and-death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair come to be. Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering.

“Suppose, bhikkhus, an oil lamp was burning in dependence on oil and a wick, and a man would pour oil into it and adjust the wick from time to time. Thus, sustained by that oil, fuelled by it, that oil lamp would burn for a very long time. So too, when one lives contemplating gratification in things that can fetter, craving increases…. Such is the origin of this whole mass of suffering.

“Bhikkhus, when one dwells contemplating danger in things that can fetter, craving ceases. With the cessation of craving comes cessation of clinging; with the cessation of clinging, cessation of existence … cessation of birth … aging-and-death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, displeasure, and despair cease. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.

“Suppose, bhikkhus, an oil lamp was burning in dependence on oil and a wick, and the man would not pour oil into it or adjust the wick from time to time. Thus, when the former supply of fuel is exhausted, that oil lamp, not being fed with any more fuel, lacking sustenance, would be extinguished. So too, when one lives contemplating danger in things that can fetter, craving ceases…. Such is the cessation of this whole mass of suffering.”

- Translator: Bhikkhu Bodhi

- Editor: Blake Walsh

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Fetters

At Sāvatthī.
“There are things that are prone to being fettered. When you concentrate on the gratification provided by these things, your craving grows.
Craving is a condition for grasping.
Grasping is a condition for continued existence.
Continued existence is a condition for rebirth.
Rebirth is a condition for old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress to come to be.
That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.
Suppose an oil lamp depended on oil and a wick to burn.
And from time to time someone would pour oil in and adjust the wick.
Fueled and sustained by that, the oil lamp would burn for a long time.
In the same way, there are things that are prone to being fettered. When you concentrate on the gratification provided by these things, your craving grows.
Craving is a condition for grasping.
Grasping is a condition for continued existence.
Continued existence is a condition for rebirth.
Rebirth is a condition for old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress to come to be.
That is how this entire mass of suffering originates.
There are things that are prone to being fettered. When you concentrate on the drawbacks of these things, your craving ceases.
When craving ceases, grasping ceases.
When grasping ceases, continued existence ceases.
When continued existence ceases, rebirth ceases.
When rebirth ceases, old age and death, sorrow, lamentation, pain, sadness, and distress cease.
That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.
Suppose an oil lamp depended on oil and a wick to burn.
And no-one would pour oil in and adjust the wick from time to time.
As the original fuel is used up and no more is added, the oil lamp would be extinguished due to lack of fuel.
In the same way, there are things that are prone to being fettered. When you concentrate on the drawbacks of these things, your craving ceases.
When craving ceases, grasping ceases. …
That is how this entire mass of suffering ceases.”