51.4 （四）

Thus have I heard:

At one time, the Buddha was at Anāthapiṇḍada's Park in the Jeta Grove near Śrāvastī.

At that time, the World-Honored One told the bhikṣus, "If bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs do not cut off the five hindrances in their minds and do not eliminate the five fetters in their minds, then day and night they will diminish in wholesome dharmas and not increase. What are the five hindrances in the mind that are not cut off? Here, bhikṣus, if there is a mind of doubt towards the Tathāgata, one is not liberated, and does not enter the true Dharma. If one's mind is not focused on recitation, this is called a bhikṣu's mind being hindered and not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if there is a mind of doubt towards the true Dharma, one is not liberated, and does not enter the true Dharma. If one does not recite, this is called a bhikṣu's mind being hindered and not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if there is a mind of doubt towards the noble assembly, one is not liberated, and does not direct one's mind towards the harmonious assembly. If one is not in the dharmas of the path, this is called a bhikṣu's mind being hindered and not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if one violates the precepts and does not repent, that bhikṣu, having violated the precepts, does not repent, and does not direct one's mind towards the dharmas of the path. This is called a bhikṣu's mind being hindered and not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if one's mind is not concentrated while practicing the holy life, thinking, 'By the merit of this holy life, I will be reborn in the heavens or among the gods,' then that bhikṣu, with this mental practice, practices the holy life, but the mind is not focused on the dharmas of the path. If the mind is not in the dharmas of the path, this is called a hindered mind that is not cut off. Thus, a bhikṣu's mind is hindered and not cut off in five ways.

What are the five bonds that are not cut off for a bhikṣu? Here, bhikṣus, if one is lazy and does not seek skillful means, that bhikṣu, having already been lazy, does not seek skillful means. This is called a bhikṣu's mind being bound and not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if one is always fond of much falsehood and greedily indulges in sleep, then that bhikṣu, being fond of much falsehood and greedily indulging in sleep, this is called a bhikṣu's second mental bond that is not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if one's mind is not concentrated and one is always fond of much distraction, then that bhikṣu's mind is already distracted and not concentrated. This is called a bhikṣu's third mental bond that is not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if one's sense faculties are not well guarded, then that bhikṣu's sense faculties are already not well guarded. This is called a bhikṣu's fourth mental bond that is not cut off.

Furthermore, bhikṣus, if one always likes to be in the marketplace and not in a quiet place, then that bhikṣu's mind is already not in a quiet place. This is called a bhikṣu's fifth mental bond that is not cut off.

If bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs have these five mental afflictions and five mental bonds that are not cut off, then day and night their wholesome dharmas will be cut off and there will be no increase. It is like eight or twelve chicken eggs that are not covered and protected in a timely manner. Even though the hen thinks, 'May my eggs be complete and unharmed,' still these eggs will not be safe. The reason is that they are not protected in a timely manner, and later they will be broken and not become chicks. It is the same for bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs. If the five mental bonds and five mental afflictions are not cut off and removed, then day and night their wholesome dharmas will diminish and there will be no increase.

If bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs have cut off the five mental bonds and removed the five mental afflictions, then day and night their wholesome dharmas will increase and there will be no loss. It is like eight or twelve chicken eggs that are protected, nurtured, and covered in a timely manner. Even though the hen thinks, 'May my eggs not be complete and accomplished,' still those eggs will naturally be accomplished and safe and without harm. The reason is that they are nurtured in a timely manner, causing them to be without harm, and then the eggs will eventually hatch. It is the same for bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs. If the five mental afflictions are cut off and the five mental bonds are removed, then those bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs will increase their wholesome dharmas for a long time and there will be no loss.

Therefore, bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs should establish their minds without any doubt or hesitation towards the Buddha or the Saṃgha. They should be fully endowed with the precepts and their minds should be focused and upright, without confusion. They should not give rise to the hope of other dharmas, nor should they expect to practice the holy life, thinking, 'I shall attain the body of a god or human through this practice.'

"If there are bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs who have no doubt or hesitation towards the Buddha, Dharma, and Saṃgha, and who do not violate the precepts or have any leakage, I now tell you, I entrust this to you. Those bhikṣus will go to two places: either to be born in the heavens or to be among humans. It is like a person who is extremely hot and thirsty in a hot place, but then encounters a cool and shady place and cold spring water to drink. That person may think, 'Although I have encountered the cool shade and cold water to drink, I am still not free from hunger and thirst,' but still that person's heat and thirst will be eliminated. It is the same for bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs. If they have no doubt or hesitation towards the Tathāgata, then those bhikṣus will go to two places: either to be born in the heavens or to be among humans. Bhikṣus and bhikṣuṇīs should seek means to eliminate the five mental afflictions and remove the five mental bonds. Thus, bhikṣus, you should train in this way."

At that time, the bhikṣus heard what the Buddha said, and joyfully received and practiced it.