Difference between revisions of "Kausidya"
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| − | [[Kausidya]] ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Tibetan]] Wylie: le lo) is a [[Buddhist]] term translated as "[[laziness]]" or "[[spiritual sloth]]". It is defined as [[clinging]] to [[unwholesome]] activities such as lying down and stretching out, and to procrastinate, and not being {{Wiki|enthusiastic}} about or engaging in [[virtuous]] activity. It is identified as: | + | [[Kausidya]] ([[Sanskrit]]: [[kauśīdya]]; [[Tibetan]] Wylie: le lo) is a [[Buddhist]] term translated as "[[laziness]]" or "[[spiritual sloth]]". It is defined as [[clinging]] to [[unwholesome]] activities such as lying down and stretching out, and to procrastinate, and not [[being]] {{Wiki|enthusiastic}} about or engaging in [[virtuous]] [[activity]]. It is identified as: |
* One of the twenty subsidiary [[unwholesome]] [[mental factors]] within the [[Mahayana]] [[Abhidharma]] teachings. | * One of the twenty subsidiary [[unwholesome]] [[mental factors]] within the [[Mahayana]] [[Abhidharma]] teachings. | ||
| − | * One of the five faults or obstacles to shamatha [[meditation]] within the [[Mahayana]] teachings. | + | * One of the five faults or obstacles to [[shamatha]] [[meditation]] within the [[Mahayana]] teachings. |
* Closely related to the [[Pali]] term [[thina]], that is identified as one of the fourteen [[unwholesome]] [[mental factors]] within the [[Theravada]] [[Abhidharma]] teachings | * Closely related to the [[Pali]] term [[thina]], that is identified as one of the fourteen [[unwholesome]] [[mental factors]] within the [[Theravada]] [[Abhidharma]] teachings | ||
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[[Mipham Rinpoche]] states: | [[Mipham Rinpoche]] states: | ||
| − | : [[Laziness]] ([[kausidya]]) is to cling to [[unwholesome]] activities such as lying down, resting, or stretching out, and to procrastinate, without taking delight in and engaging in what is [[virtuous]]. It is the opponent of [[diligence]] (vīrya). | + | : [[Laziness]] ([[kausidya]]) is to [[cling]] to [[unwholesome]] activities such as lying down, resting, or stretching out, and to procrastinate, without taking [[delight]] in and engaging in what is [[virtuous]]. It is the opponent of [[diligence]] ([[vīrya]]). |
The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | ||
| − | : What is [[laziness]] ([[kausidya]])? It is an unwilling [[mind]], associated with bewilderment-erring, relying on the [[pleasures]] of [[drowsiness]], lying down and not getting up. Its function is to obstruct and hinder one in applying himself to positive things. | + | : What is [[laziness]] ([[kausidya]])? It is an unwilling [[mind]], associated with bewilderment-erring, relying on the [[pleasures]] of [[drowsiness]], lying down and not [[getting up]]. Its function is to obstruct and hinder one in applying himself to positive things. |
| − | Alan Wallace explains that [[kausidya]] (lelo in [[Tibetan]]) refers to a very specific type of [[laziness]], that is concerned only with [[virtuous]] activity. Wallace explains: | + | {{Wiki|Alan Wallace}} explains that [[kausidya]] (lelo in [[Tibetan]]) refers to a very specific type of [[laziness]], that is concerned only with [[virtuous]] [[activity]]. Wallace explains: |
| − | : [...] lelo in [[Tibetan]], is often translated as ‘[[laziness]],’ but it is much more specific. If a person is working sixteen hours a day, hellbent on earning a whole lot of [[money]] with absolutely no [[concern]] for [[virtue]], from a [[Buddhist]] perspective you could say that person is [[subject]] to lelo. A workaholic is clearly not lazy, but such a person is seen as lelo in the [[sense]] of being completely lethargic and slothful with regard to the cultivation of [[virtue]] and [[purification]] of the [[mind]]. Our translation of this term is ‘[[spiritual sloth]],’ which we have taken from the Christian [[tradition]], where it is very comparable to the [[Buddhist]] notion. | + | : [...] lelo in [[Tibetan]], is often translated as ‘[[laziness]],’ but it is much more specific. If a [[person]] is working sixteen hours a day, hellbent on earning a whole lot of [[money]] with absolutely no [[concern]] for [[virtue]], from a [[Buddhist]] perspective you could say that [[person]] is [[subject]] to lelo. A workaholic is clearly not lazy, but such a [[person]] is [[seen]] as lelo in the [[sense]] of [[being]] completely lethargic and slothful with regard to the cultivation of [[virtue]] and [[purification]] of the [[mind]]. Our translation of this term is ‘[[spiritual sloth]],’ which we have taken from the {{Wiki|Christian}} [[tradition]], where it is very comparable to the [[Buddhist]] notion. |
== Three types == | == Three types == | ||
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* We'd rather stay in bed half an hour later than get up and [[meditate]]. | * We'd rather stay in bed half an hour later than get up and [[meditate]]. | ||
| − | * [[Sakyong Mipham]] explains this type of [[laziness]] from the [[meditative]] point of [[view]]: "The [[mind]] has withdrawn into itself. [...] It [[feels]] impossible to do anything. We [[feel]] like a snake crawling along the ground." | + | * [[Sakyong Mipham]] explains this type of [[laziness]] from the [[meditative]] point of [[view]]: "The [[mind]] has withdrawn into itself. [...] It [[feels]] impossible to do anything. We [[feel]] like a [[snake]] crawling along the ground." |
'''[[Laziness]] of discouragement (or [[feeling]] ourselves unworthy)''' | '''[[Laziness]] of discouragement (or [[feeling]] ourselves unworthy)''' | ||
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* [[Sakyong Mipham]] states: "We [[feel]] discouraged, deflated, or outnumbered by the obstacles that arise in our practice. We take them personally. Our [[belief]] in the solidity of obstacles grows, and our [[belief]] in our ability to practice shrinks. | * [[Sakyong Mipham]] states: "We [[feel]] discouraged, deflated, or outnumbered by the obstacles that arise in our practice. We take them personally. Our [[belief]] in the solidity of obstacles grows, and our [[belief]] in our ability to practice shrinks. | ||
| − | '''[[Laziness]] of being busy with [[worldly]] things.''' | + | '''[[Laziness]] of [[being]] busy with [[worldly]] things.''' |
| − | * [[Tenzin Palmo]] states: "This is the point—we will our lives with activities. Many of them are really very good activities but if we are not careful, they can just be an escape. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do good and necessary things, but there has to be breathing in as well as breathing out." | + | * [[Tenzin Palmo]] states: "This is the point—we will our [[lives]] with activities. Many of them are really very good activities but if we are not careful, they can just be an escape. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do good and necessary things, but there has to be {{Wiki|breathing}} in as well as {{Wiki|breathing}} out." |
* [[Sakyong Mipham]] states: "Speediness is [[laziness]] when we use it as a way to avoid working with our [[minds]]." | * [[Sakyong Mipham]] states: "Speediness is [[laziness]] when we use it as a way to avoid working with our [[minds]]." | ||
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[[Sakyong Mipham]] identifies the following antidotes to [[laziness]] in the context of [[meditation]] practice: | [[Sakyong Mipham]] identifies the following antidotes to [[laziness]] in the context of [[meditation]] practice: | ||
| − | * Suppleness: involves being curious, having a [[sense]] of appreciation and [[imagination]] | + | * Suppleness: involves [[being]] curious, having a [[sense]] of [[appreciation]] and [[imagination]] |
* [[Trust]]: develops from experiencing the benefits of [[meditation]] practice | * [[Trust]]: develops from experiencing the benefits of [[meditation]] practice | ||
| − | * [[Aspiration]]: is [[trust]] with a [[sense]] of determination | + | * [[Aspiration]]: is [[trust]] with a [[sense]] of [[determination]] |
* [[Effort]]: an engaged [[mind]] that moves toward the act of [[meditation]]. | * [[Effort]]: an engaged [[mind]] that moves toward the act of [[meditation]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 16:12, 27 August 2013
Kausidya (Sanskrit: kauśīdya; Tibetan Wylie: le lo) is a Buddhist term translated as "laziness" or "spiritual sloth". It is defined as clinging to unwholesome activities such as lying down and stretching out, and to procrastinate, and not being enthusiastic about or engaging in virtuous activity. It is identified as:
- One of the twenty subsidiary unwholesome mental factors within the Mahayana Abhidharma teachings.
- One of the five faults or obstacles to shamatha meditation within the Mahayana teachings.
- Closely related to the Pali term thina, that is identified as one of the fourteen unwholesome mental factors within the Theravada Abhidharma teachings
Explanation
Mipham Rinpoche states:
- Laziness (kausidya) is to cling to unwholesome activities such as lying down, resting, or stretching out, and to procrastinate, without taking delight in and engaging in what is virtuous. It is the opponent of diligence (vīrya).
The Abhidharma-samuccaya states:
- What is laziness (kausidya)? It is an unwilling mind, associated with bewilderment-erring, relying on the pleasures of drowsiness, lying down and not getting up. Its function is to obstruct and hinder one in applying himself to positive things.
Alan Wallace explains that kausidya (lelo in Tibetan) refers to a very specific type of laziness, that is concerned only with virtuous activity. Wallace explains:
- [...] lelo in Tibetan, is often translated as ‘laziness,’ but it is much more specific. If a person is working sixteen hours a day, hellbent on earning a whole lot of money with absolutely no concern for virtue, from a Buddhist perspective you could say that person is subject to lelo. A workaholic is clearly not lazy, but such a person is seen as lelo in the sense of being completely lethargic and slothful with regard to the cultivation of virtue and purification of the mind. Our translation of this term is ‘spiritual sloth,’ which we have taken from the Christian tradition, where it is very comparable to the Buddhist notion.
Three types
The Mahayana tradition identifies three types of laziness: not wanting to do anything; discouragement; and busyness.
Laziness of not wanting to do anything
- We'd rather stay in bed half an hour later than get up and meditate.
- Sakyong Mipham explains this type of laziness from the meditative point of view: "The mind has withdrawn into itself. [...] It feels impossible to do anything. We feel like a snake crawling along the ground."
Laziness of discouragement (or feeling ourselves unworthy)
- This involves thinking, "I can't do this."
- Sakyong Mipham states: "We feel discouraged, deflated, or outnumbered by the obstacles that arise in our practice. We take them personally. Our belief in the solidity of obstacles grows, and our belief in our ability to practice shrinks.
Laziness of being busy with worldly things.
- Tenzin Palmo states: "This is the point—we will our lives with activities. Many of them are really very good activities but if we are not careful, they can just be an escape. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do good and necessary things, but there has to be breathing in as well as breathing out."
- Sakyong Mipham states: "Speediness is laziness when we use it as a way to avoid working with our minds."
Antidotes
Sakyong Mipham identifies the following antidotes to laziness in the context of meditation practice:
- Suppleness: involves being curious, having a sense of appreciation and imagination
- Trust: develops from experiencing the benefits of meditation practice
- Aspiration: is trust with a sense of determination
- Effort: an engaged mind that moves toward the act of meditation.
