KETOKHILA-SUTTA –
BARRENNESS AND BONDAGE
4. ‘And further, O Bhikkhus, when a brother doubts in the System of Belief (Dhamma), is uncertain regarding it, has not confidence in it, has not faith in it; then is his mind not inclined towards zeal, exertion, perseverance, and struggle.
‘But whosesoever mind inclineth not towards zeal, exertion, perseverance, and struggle, he has not become free from this second spiritual barrenness.
5. ‘And further, O Bhikkhus, when a brother has doubt in the Brotherhood (Sangha), is uncertain about it, has no confidence in it, has no faith in it; then is his mind not inclined towards zeal, exertion, perseverance, and struggle.
‘But whosesoever mind inclineth not towards zeal, exertion, perseverance, and struggle, he has not become free from this third spiritual barrenness.
6. ‘And further, O Bhikkhus, when a brother has doubt in the System of Self-culture (Sikkhâ), is uncertain about it, has no confidence in it, has no faith in it; then is his mind not inclined towards zeal, exertion, perseverance, and struggle.
‘But whosesoever mind inclineth not towards zeal, exertion, perseverance, and struggle, he has not become free from this fourth spiritual barrenness.
Notes from the introduction:
The ten fetters are–
1. The delusion of self (sakkâya-ditthi).
2. Doubt (vikikikkhâ).
3. Reliance on the efficacy of rites and ceremonies (sîlabbata-parâmâsa).
4. The bodily lusts or passions (kâma).
5. Hatred, ill-feeling (patigha).
6. Desire for a future life in the worlds of form (rûparâga).
7. Desire for a future life in the formless worlds (arûparâga).
8. Pride (mâno).
9. Self-righteousness (uddhakka).
10. Ignorance (aviggâ).
Here the 4th fetter is correlative to our first bondage; the 6th fetter to our 2nd and 3rd bondage; and part of the 3rd fetter to our 5th bondage.
The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th bondage are in fact but a new way of stating the fundamental Buddhist doctrine that good must be pursued without any ulterior motive; and that that man is not spiritually free in whom there is still the least hankering after any future life beyond the grave.
Ketokhila-Sutta: Barreness And Bondage
Translated from Pâli by T. W. Rhys Davids [1881]