Human Development
Ten fetters
Description:
These are ten links on the chain which, according to Hinayana Buddhism, binds a being to [samsara], the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. The first three are: belief in the existence of the individual - [dristi] (afflicted views); lack of belief - [vicikitsa] or scepticism; and clinging - [upadana] - to rites and rituals. Breaking free of these fetters leads to the level of stream enterer. The next two fetters are [kama-trisna] - craving for the objects of sense - and [pradosa] (hatred or ill will). Even though these fetters are not fully overcome, if they are to a large extent left behind the follower of the path becomes a [sakridagamin], one who has knowledge of the path of once-return and who needs only to be reborn once more before attaining [nirvana]. Leaving behind all of these first five fetters leads to the attainment of [anagamin] - no return. Freedom from the following five fetters leads to culmination of liberation in the state of an [arhat]. These fetters are: [rupa-trisna] (craving for fine-material form); [arupa-trisna] (craving for formless existence); [abhimana] (self-regard or conceit); excitability, a state said to arise from [anuddhatya] (restlessness) and [kaukritya] (contrition, worry or compunction); and [avidya] (ignorance).