Complete Understanding of Delusion

Iti 11 · Mohapariññāsutta

Small amber embers glow between dry twigs on dark earth.

This was said by the Buddha, the Perfected One: that is what I heard.

“Mendicants, without directly knowing and completely understanding delusion, without dispassion for it and giving it up, you can’t end suffering. By directly knowing and completely understanding delusion, having dispassion for it and giving it up, you can end suffering.”

The Buddha spoke this matter. On this it is said:

“When overcome by delusion beings go to a bad place. Having rightly understood that delusion, the discerning give it up. Once they’ve given it up, they never return to this world.”

This too is a matter that was spoken by the Blessed One: that is what I heard.

Connections

Collection & context

ItivuttakaThe collection containing this text
The Pāli canonCanonical collection in which this edition is preserved
Theravāda traditionsTransmission and study context
The early Buddhist communityHistorical and traditional setting

About this edition

Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato · SuttaCentral · CC0

This translation is an expression of an ancient spiritual text that has been passed down by the Buddhist tradition for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is dedicated to the public domain via Creative Commons Zero (CC0). You are encouraged to copy, reproduce, adapt, alter, or otherwise make use of this translation. The translator respectfully requests that any use be in accordance with the values and principles of the Buddhist community. In particular, please do not use this work in AI training datasets, for the development of any AI model or algorithm, or in any AI-derived technologies.

Published source. Translation wording and order are preserved; source headings and notes are retained, with navigation and formatting adapted for this reader.

The opening image is AI-generated nature artwork for Buddhist Atlas, an evocative companion rather than a historical depiction.