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Grammatical Analysis

Saṃyojana: [nt.] fetter; bond; tie. Formed by prefix saṃ (together) + root yuj (to bind, yoke, join). Literally means “that which binds together,” tying beings tightly to the cycle of rebirth.

Orthodox Definition

The Saṃyojanas are the ten fetters that systematically bind sentient beings to saṃsāra. The entire structure of the four stages of enlightenment is defined exclusively by the progressive snapping of these exact ten bonds.

They are divided into two structural groups: The Five Lower Fetters (Orambhāgiya-saṃyojana - binding one to the sensuous world):

  1. Identity view (sakkāya-diṭṭhi) - Snapped at Stream-entry.
  2. Skeptical doubt (vicikicchā) - Snapped at Stream-entry.
  3. Clinging to rites and rituals (sīlabbata-parāmāsa) - Snapped at Stream-entry.
  4. Sensual desire (kāmarāga) - Snapped at Non-return.
  5. Ill-will/Aversion (paṭigha) - Snapped at Non-return.

The Five Higher Fetters (Uddhambhāgiya-saṃyojana - binding one to the fine-material and immaterial worlds):

  1. Craving for fine-material existence (rūparāga) - Snapped at Arahatship.
  2. Craving for immaterial existence (arūparāga) - Snapped at Arahatship.
  3. Conceit (māna) - Snapped at Arahatship.
  4. Restlessness (uddhacca) - Snapped at Arahatship.
  5. Ignorance (avijjā) - Snapped at Arahatship.

Quote

parikkhīṇabhavasaṃyojanoti bhavasaṃyojanānīti dasa saṃyojanāni kāmarāgasaṃyojanaṃ paṭighamānadiṭṭhivicikicchāsīlabbataparāmāsabhavarāgaissāmacchariyasaṃyojanaṃ avijjāsaṃyojanaṃ.
Whose fetter of existence is completely destroyed (parikkhīṇabhavasaṃyojano): The fetters of existence are the ten fetters: the fetter of sensual lust, the fetters of aversion, conceit, views, doubt, adherence to rules and observances, lust for existence, jealousy, avarice, and the fetter of ignorance.

imāni hi satte bhavesu saṃyojenti upanibandhanti, bhavaṃ vā bhavena saṃyojenti, tasmā ‘‘bhavasaṃyojanānī’’ti vuccanti.
Since these fetter and bind beings to existences, or they fetter one existence to another, they are called ‘fetters of existence’.

imāni bhavasaṃyojanāni arahato parikkhīṇāni pahīnāni ñāṇagginā daḍḍhāni, tena vuccati ‘‘parikkhīṇabhavasaṃyojano’’ti.
For the arahant, these fetters of existence are completely destroyed, abandoned, and burned by the fire of knowledge. Therefore, he is called ‘one whose fetter of existence is completely destroyed’.

— Mūlapaṇṇāsa-aṭṭhakathā

Textual References

  • Sutta: Orambhāgiya Sutta (AN 5.61) – The Buddha detailing the fetters that drag beings down and the path to cut them.
  • Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Saṃyojana-gocchaka division).
  • Commentary: Visuddhimagga (Chapter XXII) – The absolute taxonomy of fetter destruction via path consciousness.
  • Commentary: Mūlapaṇṇāsa-aṭṭhakathā – Defining the ten fetters of existence (bhavasaṃyojana).

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