Overview
The Ten Fetters (Saṃyojana) are the complete psychological chains that bind a being to the cycle of birth and death. The four stages of awakening are defined entirely by which of these ten fetters have been permanently broken.
The List
The 5 Lower Fetters (Orambhāgiya):
- Sakkāyadiṭṭhi - Identity View (Broken by Stream-entry).
- Vicikicchā - Doubt in the Buddha and Dhamma (Broken by Stream-entry).
- Sīlabbataparāmāsa - Clinging to rites and rituals (Broken by Stream-entry).
- Kāmacchanda - Sensual desire (Weakened by Once-returning, broken by Non-returning).
- Byāpāda - Ill-will and anger (Weakened by Once-returning, broken by Non-returning).
The 5 Higher Fetters (Uddhambhāgiya):
- Rūparāga - Craving for fine-material existence (Broken by Arahatship).
- Arūparāga - Craving for immaterial/formless existence (Broken by Arahatship).
- Māna - Conceit / “I am” measuring (Broken by Arahatship).
- Uddhacca - Restlessness (Broken by Arahatship).
- Avijjā - Ignorance of the Four Noble Truths (Broken by Arahatship).
Textual References
- Canonical: Saṃyojana Sutta (SN 45.179-180) – The explicit listing of the lower and higher fetters.