The five hindrances are impurities weakening wisdom, while the seven factors of awakening are non-obstructions.

SN 46.37  Āvaraṇanīvaraṇa sutta - Obstructions

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso upakkilesā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā. Katame pañca? Kāmacchando, bhikkhave, āvaraṇo nīvaraṇo cetaso upakkileso paññāya dubbalīkaraṇo. Byāpādo, bhikkhave, āvaraṇo nīvaraṇo cetaso upakkileso paññāya dubbalīkaraṇo. Thinamiddhaṁ, bhikkhave, āvaraṇaṁ nīvaraṇaṁ cetaso upakkilesaṁ paññāya dubbalīkaraṇaṁ. Uddhaccakukkuccaṁ, bhikkhave, āvaraṇaṁ nīvaraṇaṁ cetaso upakkilesaṁ paññāya dubbalīkaraṇaṁ. Vicikicchā, bhikkhave, āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso upakkilesā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca āvaraṇā nīvaraṇā cetaso upakkilesā paññāya dubbalīkaraṇā.

“Bhikkhus, there are these five obstructions, |hindrances::barriers, obstacles [nīvaraṇa]|, and impurities of the mind that weaken |wisdom::distinctive knowledge, discernment [paññā]|. What are the five? 1.) |Sensual desire::interest in sensual pleasure, sensual impulse [kāmacchanda]|, bhikkhus, is an obstruction, a hindrance, and an impurity of the mind that weakens wisdom. 2.) |Ill will::intentional act of mentally opposing or rejecting others; an intentional construct fueled by aversion, directed against kindness or compassion. It manifests as hostility of will, impeding goodwill and fostering internal or external conflict. [byāpāda]|, bhikkhus, is an obstruction, a hindrance, and an impurity of the mind that weakens wisdom. 3.) |Dullness and drowsiness::lack of mental clarity or alertness, mental sluggishness, lethargy, sleepiness lit. stiffness (of mind/body due to tiredness) [thinamiddha]|, bhikkhus, is an obstruction, a hindrance, and an impurity of the mind that weakens wisdom. 4.) |Restlessness and worry::agitation and edginess, distraction, fidgeting, fiddling, uneasiness [uddhaccakukkucca]|, bhikkhus, is an obstruction, a hindrance, and an impurity of the mind that weakens wisdom. 5.) |Doubt::uncertainty, indecisiveness wrt suffering, its arising, its ending, and the way of practice leading to the end of suffering [vicikiccha]|, bhikkhus, is an obstruction, a hindrance, and an impurity of the mind that weakens wisdom. These, bhikkhus, are the five obstructions, hindrances, and impurities of the mind that weaken wisdom.

Sattime, bhikkhave, bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anupakkilesā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattanti. Katame satta? Satisambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anupakkileso bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati …pe… upekkhāsambojjhaṅgo, bhikkhave, anāvaraṇo anīvaraṇo cetaso anupakkileso bhāvito bahulīkato vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattati. Ime kho, bhikkhave, satta bojjhaṅgā anāvaraṇā anīvaraṇā cetaso anupakkilesā bhāvitā bahulīkatā vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyāya saṁvattantīti.

Bhikkhus, these seven factors of awakening are |non-obstructions::not blocking, not impeding; lit. not obstructing [anāvaraṇa]|, non-hindrances, and |non-impurities::non-corruptions, not defilements [anupakkilesa]| of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, they lead to the |realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation::personal experience of the fruit of liberation and wisdom [vijjāvimuttiphalasacchikiriyā]|. What seven? 1.) The |awakening factor of mindfulness::the quality of mindfulness leading to full awakening, remembering as a factor of enlightenment; first of the seven awakening factors [satisambojjhaṅga]|, bhikkhus, is a non-obstruction, a non-hindrance, and a non-impurity of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, it leads to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation. 2.) The |awakening factor of investigation of states::the quality of discriminative investigation into states, mental qualities and other phenomena; analyzing the teaching as a factor of enlightenment; second of the seven awakening factors [dhammavicayasambojjhaṅga]| is a non-obstruction, a non-hindrance, and a non-impurity of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, it leads to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation. 3.) The |awakening factor of energy::the quality of unrelenting effort, the sustaining power of persistence as a factor of enlightenment; third of the seven awakening factors [vīriyasambojjhaṅga]| is a non-obstruction, a non-hindrance, and a non-impurity of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, it leads to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation. 4.) The |awakening factor of joy::the quality of heartfelt gladness, spiritual rapture untainted by sensuality, as a factor of enlightenment; fourth of the seven awakening factors [pītisambojjhaṅga]| is a non-obstruction, a non-hindrance, and a non-impurity of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, it leads to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation. 5.) The |awakening factor of tranquility::the quality of inner stillness, bodily and mental calm, as a factor of enlightenment; fifth of the seven awakening factors [passaddhisambojjhaṅga]| is a non-obstruction, a non-hindrance, and a non-impurity of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, it leads to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation. 6.) The |awakening factor of collectedness::the quality of unification, stability, and deep stillness of the mind, as a factor of enlightenment; sixth of the seven awakening factors [samādhisambojjhaṅga]| is a non-obstruction, a non-hindrance, and a non-impurity of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, it leads to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation. 7.) The |awakening factor of equanimity::the quality of balanced observation, non-reactivity, and mental equipoise as a factor of enlightenment; seventh of the seven awakening factors [upekkhāsambojjhaṅga]| is a non-obstruction, a non-hindrance, and a non-impurity of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, it leads to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation. Bhikkhus, these seven factors of awakening are non-obstructions, non-hindrances, and non-impurities of the mind. When cultivated and frequently practiced, they lead to the realization of true knowledge and the fruit of liberation.”

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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Jhana

Jhana

A mental quality of composure where awareness is gathered, steady, rather than scattered or tense. In such collectedness, supported by mindfulness and right view, experience is clearly known and can be wisely contemplated.

Also known as: absorption, concentration, collectedness, mental composure, stability of mind, undistracted awareness
Pāli: jhāna, samādhi, samāhita, susamāhita, sammāsamādhi
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Equanimity

Equanimity

A state of mental poise and balance, characterized by non-reactivity and composure in the face of agreeable or disagreeable experiences.

Also known as: mental poise, mental balance, equipose, non-reactivity, composure
Pāli: upekkha
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Mindfulness

Mindfulness

Remembering to be present with continuous effort, observing the body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities in and of themselves.

Also known as: recollecting, remembering, keeping in mind, presence, awareness
Pāli: sati, anupassanā
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Right effort

Right effort

Energy and resolve directed toward preventing unwholesome states from arising, abandoning arisen unwholesome states, cultivating wholesome states, and maintaining arisen wholesome states; persistent application of the mind aligned with the path.

Also known as: right endeavor, right striving
Pāli: sammāvāyāma
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Tranquility

Tranquility

A mental quality of calm and stillness that arises when the body and mind are unburdened by agitation.

Also known as: calmness, peacefulness, serenity
Pāli: passaddhi, santi, upasama, upasanta
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Uplifting joy

Uplifting joy

An energetic mental quality that creates a sense of lift or thrill; it ranges from a gentle delight to overwhelming rapture.

Also known as: heartfelt joy, mental exhilaration, rapture, lit. refreshment
Pāli: pīti
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Anxiety

Anxiety

A fluttering, unsettled state of mind, worried about past or future and unsure what is right to do. It keeps the mind circling around concerns without resolution, weakening confidence and obscuring calm discernment.

Also known as: agitation, confusion about what is right and wrong, distress, fickleness, fidgetiness, edginess, restlessness, wavering, worry
Pāli: kukkucca, uddhacca, darathaja
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Doubt

Doubt

Paralyzing indecision about the path or practice. Doubt obstructs confidence and clarity.

Also known as: confusion, indecisiveness, uncertainty, wavering, perplexity
Pāli: vicikiccha, kaṅkhā, vimati
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Drowsiness

Drowsiness

A heaviness or stiffness of the mind that leads to sleepiness. It shrouds clarity like a fog, making the mind unwieldy and prone to drifting away from its object.

Also known as: sleepiness, torpor, feeling lethargic, lit. stiffness (of mind/body due to tiredness)
Pāli: middha
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Dullness

Dullness

Mental stagnation and lack of driving power. It is an inertia where the mind feels thick and incapable of active engagement or investigation.

Also known as: lack of mental clarity or alertness, inertia, mental sluggishness, inattentiveness or lack of sharpness
Pāli: thina
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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: craving for sensuality, passion for sensual pleasures, lust, pull toward enticing sense objects
Pāli: kāmacchanda
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Last updated on April 23, 2026