Causes for the arising and expansion of the five hindrances (AN 1.11 - 20)

1.11

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen sensual desire to arise, or arisen sensual desire to increase and expand, as a beautiful mental image. Bhikkhus, when one does not wisely attend to the sign of the beautiful, unarisen sensual desire arises, and arisen sensual desire increases and expands.”

1.12

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen ill-will to arise, or arisen ill-will to increase and expand, as an aversive mental image. Bhikkhus, when one does not wisely attend to the sign of resistance, unarisen ill-will arises, and arisen ill-will increases and expands.”

1.13

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen dullness and drowsiness to arise, or arisen dullness and drowsiness to increase and expand, as dissatisfaction, laziness, yawning, passing out after a meal, and sluggishness of mind. Bhikkhus, when the mind is sluggish, unarisen dullness and drowsiness arises, and arisen dullness and drowsiness increases and expands.”

1.14

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen restlessness and worry to arise, or arisen restlessness and worry to increase and expand, as an unsettled mind. Bhikkhus, when the mind is unsettled, unarisen restlessness and worry arises, and arisen restlessness and worry increases and expands.”

1.15

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that causes unarisen doubt to arise, or arisen doubt to increase and expand, as unwise attention. Bhikkhus, when one does not wisely attend, unarisen doubt arises, and arisen doubt increases and expands.”

1.16

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen sensual desire from arising, or causes arisen sensual desire to be abandoned, as an unattractive mental image. Bhikkhus, when one wisely attends to the sign of the unattractive, unarisen sensual desire does not arise, and arisen sensual desire is abandoned.”

1.17

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen ill-will from arising, or causes arisen ill-will to be abandoned, as the release of mind through loving-kindness. Bhikkhus, when one wisely attends to the release of mind through loving-kindness, unarisen ill-will does not arise, and arisen ill-will is abandoned.”

1.18

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen dullness and drowsiness from arising, or causes arisen dullness and drowsiness to be abandoned, as taking initiative, persistence, and continuous effort. Bhikkhus, when one is energetic, unarisen dullness and drowsiness do not arise, and arisen dullness and drowsiness are abandoned.”

1.19

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen restlessness and worry from arising, or causes arisen restlessness and worry to be abandoned, as settling of the mind. Bhikkhus, when the mind is settled, unarisen restlessness and worry do not arise, and arisen restlessness and worry are abandoned.”

1.20

“Bhikkhus, I do not see any other single quality that prevents unarisen doubt from arising, or causes arisen doubt to be abandoned, as wise attention. Bhikkhus, when one wisely attends, unarisen doubt does not arise, and arisen doubt is abandoned.”

Wise attention (1.20) is reflecting and reviewing on the mental qualities of the four noble truths, the five hindrances, the seven factors of enlightenment, on the arising and passing of the five aggregates dependent on sense contact. Unwise attention (1.15) is having craving or displeasure with regard to the world, either in the present, or in reviving the past, or in building hope on the future.

Related Teachings:

Nutriment for Arising of Hindrances and Factors of Awakening (SN 46.51) - The Buddha explains the nutriment and the lack of nutriment for the five hindrances and the seven factors of awakening.

Hindrances as different bowls of water (SN 46.55) - The brahmin Saṅgārava asks why sometimes verses stay in memory while other times they don’t. The Buddha replies that it is due to the presence of either the hindrances or awakening factors. He gives a set of similes illustrating each of the hindrances with different bowls of water.

The five hindrances weaken wisdom | simile of side-channels weakening a river’s flow (AN 5.51) - The five hindrances weaken wisdom like side-channels weaken a river’s flow.