Aṇguttara Nikāya
Pañcaka Nipāta
VI: Nīvaraṇa Vagga
The Book of the Gradual Sayings
The Book of the Fives
VI: The Hindrances
Sutta 52
Akusala-Rāsi Suttaṃ
The Heap
Translated by E. M. Hare
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[1][bodh][olds] Thus have I heard:
Once the Exalted One dwelt near Sāvatthī;
in Anāthapiṇḍika's Park,
and there he addressed the monks, saying:
"Monks."
'Yes, lord,' they replied; and the Exalted One said:
'"Tis[1] a heap of bad things!" monks;
and in saying this of the five hindrances,
one would speak rightly.
Indeed, monks, the whole
is a heap of bad things,
that is to say:
the five hindrances.
What five?
The hindrance of sensual desire,
the hindrance of ill-will,
the hindrance of sloth and torpor,
the hindrance of flurry and worry,
the hindrance of doubt.
"Tis a heap of bad things!" monks;
and in saying this of the five hindrances,
one would speak rightly.
Indeed, monks, the whole
is a heap of bad things,
that is to say:
the five hindrances.'
[1] This recurs at S. v, 145; for akusalarāsi trsl. there has 'heap of demerit.'