A List
of Buddhist Lists

The Five Hindrances

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My partial list:

• Three Refuges
  
  
• Four Noble Truths
  
  
• Five Precepts
  
  
• Five Hindrances
  
  
• Eightfold Path
  
  
• Ten Perfections
  
  

The Five Hindrances ¹ are negative mental states that impede success with meditation (jhana) [my note: I don't think it's only success with meditation that is impeded by these states] and lead away from enlightenment. These states are:

Sensual desire (kamacchanda)

Craving for pleasure to the senses.

Anger or ill-will (byapada, vyapada)

Feelings of malice directed toward others.

Sloth-torpor or boredom (thina-middha)

Half-hearted action with little or no concentration.

Restlessness-worry (uddhacca-kukkucca)

The inability to calm the mind. I suspect we all are very familiar with the term "monkey mind".

Doubt (vicikiccha)

Lack of conviction or trust.

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¹ From Wikipedia

With gratitude to:

• Insight Meditation Center for their teachings and original source of my list.
• Shaila Catherine who first told me that there are always people in temples around the world sending out Metta to all beings, and to keep a soft smile in my heart always.
• Barbara Reed -- a wonderful pet intuitive.
• The Buddha Gallery for the use of the beautiful images.
• All the teachers who have come before and keep walking the path.
• All the wonderful people and creatures who make such a contribution to my heart and life!

© 2008 Barbara Stone