The three unwholesome thoughts are blinding, produce lack of clarity, cause ignorance, obstruct wisdom, and are troublesome and not conducive to Nibbāna. The three wholesome thoughts give sight, produce clarity and create insight, grow wisdom, and are trouble-free and conducive to Nibbāna.

ITI 87  Andhakaraṇa sutta - Blinding

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

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

“Tayome, bhikkhave, akusalavitakkā andhakaraṇā acakkhukaraṇā aññāṇakaraṇā paññānirodhikā vighātapakkhikā anibbānasaṁvattanikā.Katame tayo?

“Bhikkhus, there are these three |unwholesome thoughts::unskillful thoughts, unbeneficial thinking, karmically unprofitable thoughts [akusalavitakka]|, which are blinding, produce lack of clarity, which cause ignorance, |obstruct wisdom::impede cultivation of discernment [paññānirodhika]|, which are |troublesome::afflictive [vighātapakkhika]| and not conducive to |Nibbāna::complete cooling, letting go of everything, deathless, freedom from calamity, the non-disintegrating [nibbāna]|. Which three?

Kāmavitakko, bhikkhave, andhakaraṇo acakkhukaraṇo aññāṇakaraṇo paññānirodhiko vighātapakkhiko anibbānasaṁvattaniko. Byāpādavitakko, bhikkhave, andhakaraṇo acakkhukaraṇo aññāṇakaraṇo paññānirodhiko vighātapakkhiko anibbānasaṁvattaniko. Vihiṁsāvitakko, bhikkhave, andhakaraṇo acakkhukaraṇo aññāṇakaraṇo paññānirodhiko vighātapakkhiko anibbānasaṁvattaniko. Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo akusalavitakkā andhakaraṇā acakkhukaraṇā aññāṇakaraṇā paññānirodhikā vighātapakkhikā anibbānasaṁvattanikā.

1.) |Thought of sensuality::thought related to enjoyment of sensual pleasures, sexual thought [kāmavitakka]|, bhikkhus, is blinding, produces lack of clarity, causes ignorance, obstructs wisdom, is troublesome and not conducive to Nibbāna. 2) |Thought of ill will::intentional thought of mental rejection, hostility, or malevolence toward others; deliberate contemplation rooted in antipathy or wishing harm [byāpādavitakka]| is blinding, produces lack of clarity, causes ignorance, obstructs wisdom, is troublesome and not conducive to Nibbāna. 3) |Thought of harming::idea of hurting, thought of cruelty [vihiṁsāvitakka]|, bhikkhus, is blinding, produces lack of clarity, causes ignorance, obstructs wisdom, is troublesome and not conducive to Nibbāna. These, bhikkhus, are the three unwholesome thoughts, which are blinding, produce lack of clarity, cause ignorance, obstruct wisdom, which are troublesome and not conducive to Nibbāna.

Tayome, bhikkhave, kusalavitakkā anandhakaraṇā cakkhukaraṇā ñāṇakaraṇā paññāvuddhikā avighātapakkhikā nibbānasaṁvattanikā. Katame tayo?

Bhikkhus, there are these three wholesome thoughts, which give sight, produce clarity and create insight, grow wisdom, which are trouble-free and conducive to Nibbāna. Which three?

Nekkhammavitakko, bhikkhave, anandhakaraṇo cakkhukaraṇo ñāṇakaraṇo paññāvuddhiko avighātapakkhiko nibbānasaṁvattaniko. Abyāpādavitakko, bhikkhave, anandhakaraṇo cakkhukaraṇo ñāṇakaraṇo paññāvuddhiko avighātapakkhiko nibbānasaṁvattaniko. Avihiṁsāvitakko, bhikkhave, anandhakaraṇo cakkhukaraṇo ñāṇakaraṇo paññāvuddhiko avighātapakkhiko nibbānasaṁvattaniko. Ime kho, bhikkhave, tayo kusalavitakkā anandhakaraṇā cakkhukaraṇā ñāṇakaraṇā paññāvuddhikā avighātapakkhikā nibbānasaṁvattanikā”ti.

1.) |Thought of renunciation::thought related to giving up, letting go of sense pleasures [nekkhamma + vitakka]|, bhikkhus, gives sight, produces clarity and creates insight, grows wisdom, is trouble-free and conducive to Nibbāna. 2) |Thought of good will::thought of benevolence, kindness, goodwill [abyāpādavitakka]| gives sight, produces clarity and creates insight, grows wisdom, is trouble-free and conducive to Nibbāna. 3) |Thought of harmlessness::thought of non-harming, non-violence [avihiṁsāvitakka]| gives sight, produces clarity and creates insight, grows wisdom, is trouble-free and conducive to Nibbāna. These, bhikkhus, are the three wholesome thoughts which give sight, produce clarity and create insight, grow wisdom, which are trouble-free and conducive to Nibbāna.”

Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

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

“Tayo vitakke kusale vitakkaye,
Tayo pana akusale nirākare;
Sa ve vitakkāni vicāritāni,
Sameti vuṭṭhīva rajaṁ samūhataṁ;
Sa ve vitakkūpasamena cetasā,
Idheva so santipadaṁ samajjhagā”ti.

“He |thinks about::reflects upon, ponders over [vitakka]| the three wholesome thoughts,
and not on the three unwholesome ones;
He considers and examines the thoughts, and settles them,
just as a rainfall settles and clears away dust;
With a mind made peaceful through the calming of thoughts,
right here, he attains the |state of peace::tranquility, epithet of Nibbāna [santipada]|.”

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti.

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

Topics & Qualities:

Investigation

Investigation

Investigation involves the process of a careful inquiry of mental states, qualities, and phenomena, examining their arising, persisting, and ceasing in order to understand their true nature and support the cultivation of wisdom and awakening.

Also known as: inquiry, contemplation, examination, analysis, exploration
Pāli: vicaya, vīmaṃsā, parikkhati
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Loving Kindness

Loving Kindness

The practice of developing boundless love and goodwill toward all beings, starting with oneself and extending outward.

Also known as: metta practice, unconditional love, goodwill meditation, goodwill, benevolence, kindness, friendliness
Pāli: mettā, metta, abyāpāda, abyāpajja
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Giving up

Giving up

The mental quality of renunciation and release from attachment. It delights in simplicity and freedom rather than in sensual pleasure. Giving up is not loss but the joyful abandoning of burden, opening the way to peace and insight.

Also known as: renunciation, relinquishment, letting go, abandonment
Pāli: nekkhamma
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Non-harm

Non-harm

The intention of harmlessness, rooted in the understanding that all beings tremble at violence and fear death.

Also known as: non-violence, non-injury, harmlessness, non-killing, non-hurting
Pāli: avihiṃsā, ahiṁsa
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Harm

Harm

Intention or action that causes injury or suffering to oneself or others. It arises from aversion and heedlessness and destroys trust and safety. The opposite of non-harm, it obscures compassion and leads to regret.

Also known as: injury causing behavior, destructiveness, bad, evil
Pāli: pāpaka
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Ill will

Ill will

A mental quality of actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, manifesting as deliberate thoughts or intentions that oppose kindness and compassion; it fuels conflict and obstructs goodwill.

Also known as: actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, thought of malevolence towards another, hostile reflections towards another
Pāli: byāpāda
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Sensual desire

Sensual desire

A mental quality of desiring sensory gratification. It pulls the mind’s attention toward sights, sounds, smells, tastes, or touches in a search for satisfaction.

Also known as: passion for sensual pleasures, lust, craving for pleasure, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Last updated on December 13, 2025