法苑珠林 71.70

71.70

Question: 'Unwholesome phenomena are measureless and boundless; why abandon only five phenomena?' Answer: 'Although the names among these five phenomena seem narrow, their meaning encompasses the three poisons and also broadly subsumes the eighty-four thousand gates of afflictions. The first hindrance, sensual desire, is the poison of greed. The second hindrance, ill-will, is the poison of anger. The third hindrance, sloth-and-torpor, together with the hindrance of doubt, is the poison of ignorance. The single hindrance of restlessness-and-remorse is subsumed under the equal-division [afflictions]. Combined, they make four classes of defilements. Within each one there are twenty-one thousand, and within the four there are altogether the eighty-four thousand gates of afflictions. Therefore, if one can eliminate these five hindrances, one will be able to abandon all unwholesome phenomena completely. It is like being freed from debt, or recovering from a severe illness; like a starving person reaching a land of abundance; like escaping by oneself from among wicked bandits, safe, peaceful, and free of trouble. The practitioner is likewise: by eliminating these five hindrances, his mind becomes pure. It is like the sun and the moon being covered by five things—namely smoke, clouds, dust, mist, and the obstruction of the asura's hand—so that they are not bright and clear; the mind is also like this. Combining with the analogy, this can be understood.'