Ten fetters (Buddhism)

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).