The 4 Yokes

Overview

Sharing the exact same doctrinal constituents as the Four Floods, the Four Yokes (Yoga) use an agricultural metaphor. Just as a heavy wooden yoke binds an ox to a cart, forcing it to endlessly pull burdens in a circle, these defilements yoke the mind to the cycle of birth and death. Liberation is frequently called Yogakkhema (Rest from the Yoke).

The List

1. Kāmayoga - The Yoke of Sensuality: Fastening the mind to the pursuit and enjoyment of five-sense pleasures.
2. Bhavayoga - The Yoke of Existence: Fastening the mind to the desire for continued being and rebirth.
3. Diṭṭhiyoga - The Yoke of Views: Fastening the mind to fixed opinions, preventing it from seeing ultimate reality.
4. Avijjāyoga - The Yoke of Ignorance: Fastening the mind to spiritual blindness and confusion regarding kamma and truth.

Textual References

• Canonical: Yoga Sutta (AN 4.10) – The Buddha details these four yokes and states that the noble disciple is one who has unyoked themselves from all four.