A Heap of the Unskillful (SN47.5)

Linked Discourses 47.5

1. In Ambapālī’s Mango Grove

A Heap of the Unskillful

At Sāvatthī.

There the Buddha said:

“Rightly speaking, mendicants, you’d call the five hindrances a ‘heap of the unskillful’.¹

For these five hindrances are entirely a heap of the unskillful.

What five?

The hindrances of sensual desire, ill will, dullness and drowsiness, restlessness and remorse, and doubt.

Rightly speaking, you’d call these five hindrances a ‘heap of the unskillful’.

For these five hindrances are entirely a heap of the unskillful.

Rightly speaking, you’d call these four kinds of mindfulness meditation a ‘heap of the skillful’.²

For these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are entirely a heap of the skillful.

What four?

It’s when a mendicant meditates by observing an aspect of the body—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

They meditate observing an aspect of feelings …

They meditate observing an aspect of the mind …

They meditate observing an aspect of principles—keen, aware, and mindful, rid of covetousness and displeasure for the world.

Rightly speaking, you’d call these four kinds of mindfulness meditation a ‘heap of the skillful’.

For these four kinds of mindfulness meditation are entirely a heap of the skillful.”