The Buddha describes the abandoning of delusion as a security for non-returning.

ITI 3  Moha sutta - Delusion

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

This was said by the Blessed One, said by the Arahant, as I have heard:

“Ekadhammaṁ, bhikkhave, pajahatha; ahaṁ vo pāṭibhogo anāgāmitāya. Katamaṁ ekadhammaṁ? Mohaṁ, bhikkhave, ekadhammaṁ pajahatha; ahaṁ vo pāṭibhogo anāgāmitāyā”ti.

“Bhikkhus, abandon one thing; I am your |guarantor::assurer, security [pāṭibhoga]| for |non-returning::third stage of awakening where the lower five fetters of 1) personal existence: view that one is an embodied being, 2) doubt, perplexity, or indecisiveness, 3) adherence to rules and observances, 4) sensual desire, and 5) ill will are completely overcome [anāgāmitā]|. What one thing? Bhikkhus, abandon |delusion::illusion, misperception, erroneous belief, false idea, misapprehension; a fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt [moha]|; I am your guarantor for non-returning.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

The Blessed One spoke on this matter. In this regard, it is said:

“Yena mohena mūḷhāse,
sattā gacchanti duggatiṁ;
Taṁ mohaṁ sammadaññāya,
pajahanti vipassino;
Pahāya na punāyanti,
imaṁ lokaṁ kudācanan”ti.

“Disoriented by delusion, through which
beings go to an unfortunate destination;
|completely comprehending::fully understanding [sammadaññā]| that delusion,
those seeing clearly abandon it.
Having abandoned it, they do not come again
to this world at any time.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

This matter too was spoken by the Blessed One, as I have heard.

Qualities:

Delusion

Delusion

A fundamental distortion of reality that sustains confusion, clouds discernment, and fuels further doubt.

Also known as: illusion, hallucination, misapprehension, distorted view
Pāli: moha, micchāñāṇa
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Last updated on April 10, 2026