Buddhism · Sutta Pitaka · Minor Collection (Khuddaka)

Iti 14

The Shroud of Ignorance · Avijjānīvaraṇasutta

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PāliPali

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

Vuttañhetaṁ bhagavatā vuttamarahatāti me sutaṁ:

“Mendicants, I do not see a single shroud, shrouded by which people wander and transmigrate for a long time like the shroud of ignorance. Shrouded by ignorance, people wander and transmigrate for a long time.” The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“Nāhaṁ, bhikkhave, aññaṁ ekanīvaraṇampi samanupassāmi yena nīvaraṇena nivutā pajā dīgharattaṁ sandhāvanti saṁsaranti yathayidaṁ, bhikkhave, avijjānīvaraṇaṁ. Avijjānīvaraṇena hi, bhikkhave, nivutā pajā dīgharattaṁ sandhāvanti saṁsarantī”ti. Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati:

“There is no other thing that shrouds people like ignorance. Veiled by delusion, they transmigrate day and night.

“Natthañño ekadhammopi, yenevaṁ nivutā pajā; Saṁsaranti ahorattaṁ, yathā mohena āvutā.

Those who have given up delusion, shattering the mass of darkness, wander no more, the root is not found in them.”

Ye ca mohaṁ pahantvāna, tamokhandhaṁ padālayuṁ; Na te puna saṁsaranti, hetu tesaṁ na vijjatī”ti.

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Ayampi attho vutto bhagavatā, iti me sutanti. Catutthaṁ.