法界次第初門 1.148

1.148

The reason why the five hindrances are distinguished after the three poisons is this: when discussing the essence of the three poisons, how could it be different from the five hindrances? It is only that the categories differ and the additions or subtractions of names are distinct, which is why they are differentiated next. Why is this? If one subsumes the name of the poison of delusion and divides the dharma of delusion into the three hindrances of sleep, restlessness and remorse, and doubt, and adds greed and anger, they make the five hindrances. If one opens up the five hindrances, afflictions are immeasurable. They are collectively called 'hindrances' (nīvaraṇa) because hindrance means covering; they can cover the practitioner's pure and wholesome mind so that it cannot unfold, and hence are called hindrances. And since these five hindrances are precisely the primary obstacles to the various dhyānas explained below, their characteristics must be briefly distinguished.