Cause and Reason Why Some Beings Do Not Attain Nibbāna in This Very Life

‘Venerable Sir, what is the cause and reason why some beings here do not attain Nibbāna (Enlightenment) in this very life?’

There are, Ruler of the Heavenly Beings, forms recognizable by the eye that are desirable, lovely, agreeable, pleasing, sensually enticing, tempting. If a Monk seeks excitement (pleasant feelings) in them, welcomes them, and remains holding to them, his consciousness becomes dependent upon them and clings to them.

A Monk with clinging does not attain Nibbāna (Enlightenment).

(In the case of sounds recognizable by the ear … odors recognizable by the nose ... flavors recognizable by the tongue ... physical objects recognizable by the body ... mental objects recognizable by the mind, the discourses are similar to that of forms recognizable by the eye.)

This is the cause and reason, Ruler of the Heavenly Beings, why some beings here do not attain Nibbana (Enlightenment) in this very life.

(Reference: SN 35.118)

In this Teaching from Gotama Buddha, he shares how the fetter/taint/pollution of mind described as sensual desire is a hindrance to the attainment of Enlightenment.

If the mind has craving through The Six Sense Bases, a being will be unable to experience Enlightenment.

Detailed explanation of The Six Sense Bases and elimination of sensual desire is available in this same book series found in the book “The Six Sense Bases” (Volume 9).