AN5.51 — Barrier Discourse
Thus have I heard: At one time the Blessed One was dwelling at Sāvatthī in Jeta's Grove, Anāthapiṇḍika's Park.
There, the Blessed One addressed the disciples:
Disciples.
Venerable Sir, those disciples replied to the Blessed One.
The Blessed One said:
Disciples, these five hindrances are barriers, obstructions to the mind, weakening wisdom.
What five?
Sensual desire is a hindrance, a barrier to the mind, weakening wisdom.
Ill-will is a hindrance, a barrier to the mind, weakening wisdom.
Sloth and torpor are a hindrance, a barrier to the mind, weakening wisdom.
Restlessness and remorse are a hindrance, a barrier to the mind, weakening wisdom.
Doubt is a hindrance, a barrier to the mind, weakening wisdom.
These are the five hindrances, barriers to the mind, weakening wisdom.
Indeed it is not possible for a disciple who has not abandoned these five hindrances, barriers to the mind, weakening wisdom, with weak wisdom, to understand for himself, or for others, or for both, or to realize the specific knowing and vision of nobility beyond human states.
Just as a mountain river, flowing far and swift, carrying everything with it, if a man were to open channels on both sides, then the current in the middle of the river, scattered, dispersed, and divided, would neither flow far nor swiftly, nor carry things along.
In the same way it is not possible for a disciple who has not abandoned these five hindrances, barriers to the mind, weakening wisdom, with weak wisdom, to understand for himself, or for others, or for both, or to realize the specific knowing and vision of nobility beyond human states.
But it is possible for a disciple who has abandoned these five hindrances, barriers to the mind, weakening wisdom, with strong wisdom, to understand for himself, or for others, or for both, or to realize the specific knowing and vision of nobility beyond human states.
Just as a mountain river, flowing far and swift, carrying everything with it, if a man were to close channels on both sides, then the current in the middle of the river, unscattered, undispersed, and undivided, would flow far and swiftly, carrying things along.
In the same way it is possible for a disciple who has abandoned these five hindrances, barriers to the mind, weakening wisdom, with strong wisdom, to understand for himself, or for others, or for both, or to realize the specific knowing and vision of nobility beyond human states.