References – MN 39: The Longer Discourse at Assapura 
“I heard somewhere that the Buddha regretted giving the teaching on the Ten Fetters. Is this true?” Answered by Ajahn Amaro. [Fetters] [Buddha/Biography] // [Great disciples] [Rebirth] [Realms of existence]
Sutta: AN 9.12 Sariputta asks the Buddha whether anyone still subject to rebirth is safe from the lower realms.
Sutta: MN 39: Don’t be content with virtue, etc.
Readings from The Island [2025], Session 14, Excerpt 3
Ajahn Pasanno elucidates the Buddha’s similes for the Five Hindrances (MN 39.14). He encourages us to investigate the tone of the mind to identify the presence or absence of hindrances and to delight in the inherent well-being of the mind when the hindrances are relinquished. [Hindrances] [Similes]
Ānāpānasati: Mindfulness of In-and-Out Breathing [2005], Session 4
Simile: Sensual desire is like being in debt. (MN 39.14) — Ajahn Pasanno. [Sensual desire] [Hindrances] [Similes]
Ānāpānasati: Mindfulness of In-and-Out Breathing [2005], Session 4, Excerpt 1
Simile: Ill-will is like being sick. (MN 39.14) — Ajahn Pasanno. [Ill-will ] [Hindrances] [Similes] // [Ajahn Pasanno] [Sickness] [Happiness]
Ānāpānasati: Mindfulness of In-and-Out Breathing [2005], Session 4, Excerpt 2
Simile: Sloth and torpor is like being in prison. (MN 39.14) — Ajahn Pasanno. [Sloth and torpor] [Hindrances] [Similes]
Ānāpānasati: Mindfulness of In-and-Out Breathing [2005], Session 4, Excerpt 3
“That sukha (happiness) is still experienced through the sense object of the mind?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Happiness] [Rapture] [Sense bases] [Jhāna] // [Mindfulness of body]
Quote: “The way the Buddha describes the jhāna factors, all the images are grounded in the body.” (MN 39.15) [Similes]
Jhāna: A Practical Approach [2015], Session 3, Excerpt 14
“In the jhāna similies (MN 39.15), ‘He makes...’ seems very active. In dropping away things, is it a conscious dropping or an allowing?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno and Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Right Concentration] [Relinquishment] [Jhāna] // [Volitional formations] [Conditionality] [Right Effort]
Quote: “Ajahn Chah emphasizes the doing within a sphere of detachment and letting go.” [Ajahn Chah]