saṃyojana

(Sanskrit; Pāli, binding). A restriction or limitation, usually translated as a ‘fetter’, in the sense of something that binds one to saṃsāra or the cycle of rebirth. There are said to be ten: (1) belief in a permanent self (satkāya-dṛṣṭi); (2) sceptical doubt (vicikitsā); (3) obsession with rules and rituals (śīlavrata-parāmārśa); (4) sensous craving (kāma-rāga); (5) hatred (vyāpāda); (6) craving (rāga) for the Form Realm (rūpa-dhātu); (7) craving for the Formless Realm (ārūpya-dhātu); (8) conceit (asmi-māna); (9) restlessness (uddhatya); (10) ignorance (avidyā). The first five are known as ‘lower fetters’ since they bind one to rebirth in the Desire Realm (kāma-dhātu); the second five are known as ‘higher fetters’ since they bind one to rebirth in the Form and Formless Realms. The four noble persons (ārya-pudgala) have freed themselves of a different number of fetters: the stream-winner (śrotāpanna) is free of the first three; the once-returner (sakṛdāgāmin) is also free of the grosser forms of four and five; the non-returner (anāgāmin) is completely free of the first five, and the Arhat is free of all ten.