The four kinds of clinging - 1) clinging to sensual pleasures, 2) clinging to views, 3) clinging to rules and observances, and 4) clinging to a doctrine of self - are described in brief. The four establishments of mindfulness should be cultivated for directly knowing, full understanding, complete exhaustion, and giving up of these bonds.

SN 47.97  Upādāna sutta - Clinging

“Cattārimāni, bhikkhave, upādānāni. Katamāni cattāri? Kāmupādānaṁ, diṭṭhupādānaṁ, sīlabbatupādānaṁ, attavādupādānaṁ imāni kho, bhikkhave, cattāri upādānāni.

“Bhikkhus, there are these four kinds of |clinging::grasping, acquiring, appropriating, taking possession, identifying [upādāna]|. What four? 1) Clinging to sensual pleasures, 2) |clinging to views::clinging to beliefs [diṭṭhupādāna]|, 3) |clinging to rules and observances::grasping at precepts and practices, adherence to rites and rituals [sīlabbatupādāna]|, and 4) |clinging to a doctrine of self::grasping at a theory of self, attachment to a soul theory [attavādupādāna]|. These are the four kinds of clinging.

Imesaṁ kho, bhikkhave, catunnaṁ upādānānaṁ abhiññāya pariññāya parikkhayāya pahānāya …pe… cattāro satipaṭṭhānā bhāvetabbo”ti.

Bhikkhus, for the |direct knowledge::experiential understanding [abhiññāya]|, |full understanding::complete comprehension [pariññāya]|, |complete exhaustion::gradual and complete wearing away [parikkhaya]|, and for |giving up::letting go, abandoning [pahāna]| of these four kinds of clinging, the four establishments of mindfulness |should be cultivated::should be developed [bhāvetabba]|.”

Qualities:

Complete comprehension

Complete comprehension

The thorough understanding of phenomena as they truly are—fully knowing their arising, passing, and the unsatisfactoriness inherent in them while they persist.

Also known as: full understanding, knowing full well, seeing things as they are
Pāli: pariññāya, sammadaññā, sampajañña, saṅkhāya
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Cultivation

Cultivation

The active practice of 'bringing into being' wholesome states. It is the deliberate nurturing of the bright state of mind.

Also known as: development, improvement, meditation, nurturing, growth
Pāli: bhāvanā
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Direct knowledge

Direct knowledge

A deep, firsthand realization or knowing that arises from personal experience, not from study or conceptual understanding; it is an immediate, unmediated apprehension of truth.

Also known as: experiential understanding, direct experience
Pāli: abhiñña
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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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Attachment

Attachment

A mental fastening onto people, things, views, or states as “me” or “mine,” unwilling to release them. This clinging can give a sense of security and sweetness.

Also known as: acquisition, bond, clinging, grasping, holding on, possession, entanglement, bound, connected, taking as mine
Pāli: upadhi, upādāna, sakiñcana, mamatta
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Clinging to rules and observances

Clinging to rules and observances

A grasping at external forms of practice—rituals, customs, or rules—as ends in themselves, believing they alone lead to purification. It mistakes the letter for the spirit, binding the mind to outward observance while missing the inner transformation they are meant to support.

Also known as: attachment to rites and rituals, attachment to precepts, attachment to practices, attachment to customs, attachment to conventions, attachment to traditions, attachment to ceremonies, attachment to rules, attachment to regulations, attachment to laws
Pāli: sīlabbataparāmāsa
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Personal existence

Personal existence

The view that there is a real self within or a substantial reality outside. This mistaken grasp of self and world sustains attachment, conceit, and the cycle of suffering.

Also known as: identity view, self-view, self-identification, embodied being, egoism
Pāli: sakkāya-diṭṭhi
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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