Difference between revisions of "Afflictions"
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{{Seealso|Affliction}} | {{Seealso|Affliction}} | ||
− | [[Afflictions]]: [[Negative emotions]]. | + | [[Afflictions]]: [[Negative emotions]]. ([[fan-nao]]): Can also be translated as [[defilements]]. Refers to the [[passions]] and [[ignorance]] that [[cause]] one to wander in "[[samsara]]" and hinder one from [[attaining]] [[enlightenment]]. |
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+ | Six of the basic [[defilements]] are [[greed]], [[hatred]] ([[anger]]), [[ignorance]] ([[delusion]]), [[conceit]], [[doubt]], and [[wrong views]]. Use of the [[word]] [[afflictions]] emphasizes the effects of the [[defilements]]. | ||
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+ | [[Afflictions]] | ||
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+ | See also: [[Afflictions]] are [[Bodhi]]; [[Delusion]]; [[Emotions]]; [[Evil]]; Love-attachment. | ||
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+ | “The [[passions]] and [[ignorance]] that [[cause]] one to wander in [[Samsara]] and hinder one from reaching [[enlightenment]]. The [[word]] ‘[[afflictions]]’ emphasizes the effects of [[defilements]]. One list of the basic [[defilements]] names six: [[greed]], [[hatred]] (or [[anger]]), [[ignorance]] (or [[delusion]]), [[arrogance]], [[doubt]], and wrong ([[evil]]) [[views]].” | ||
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+ | The basic goal of [[Buddhist teachings]] is to keep the [[mind]] [[empty]] and still so that our innate [[wisdom]] can [[manifest]] itself. (A [[Buddha]] is all [[wisdom]] at all times.) Thus, [[Buddhism]] fosters practices and [[habits]] that subdue [[passions]] and simplify [[life]], freeing the cultivator for [[spiritual]] pursuits. It is in this context that [[sexual desire]], excessive rest and [[sleep]], etc. are considered [[afflictions]]. | ||
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+ | [[Buddha Sakyamuni]] compared [[human beings]] chasing after the fleeting [[pleasures]] of this [[world]] to a child licking [[honey]] off a sharp knife. There is no way they can avoid hurting themselves. “They are like men who carry torches against a strong [[wind]]; the flame will surely burn their hands and faces.” | ||
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+ | Subduing [[Afflictions]] | ||
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+ | [[Buddhism]] of [[Wisdom]] & [[Faith]] – excerpts: | ||
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+ | “The [[karmas]] of [[greed]], [[anger]] and [[delusion]] [[manifest]] themselves in many [[forms]], which are impossible to describe fully. I will discuss, in general, four basic ways to subdue them. | ||
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+ | I. Suppressing [[Afflictions]] with the [[Mind]]. | ||
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+ | There are only two points of divergence between the deluded and the [[enlightened]] (i.e., [[Buddhas]] and [[Bodhisattvas]]): [[purity]] is [[Buddhahood]], [[defilement]] is the [[state]] of [[sentient beings]]. | ||
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+ | Because the [[Buddhas]] are in accord with the [[Pure Mind]], they are [[enlightened]], fully endowed with [[spiritual powers]] and [[wisdom]]. | ||
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+ | Because [[sentient beings]] are [[attached]] to [[worldly]] Dusts, they are deluded and revolve in the cycle of [[Birth]] and [[Death]]. To practice [[Pure Land]] is to go deep into the [[Buddha]] Recitation [[Samadhi]], [[awakening]] to the Original [[Mind]] and [[attaining Buddhahood]]. | ||
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+ | Therefore, if any deluded, agitated [[thought]] develops during [[Buddha]] Recitation, it should be severed immediately, allowing us to return to the [[state]] of the [[Pure Mind]]. This is counteracting [[afflictions]] with the [[mind]]. | ||
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+ | II. Suppressing [[Afflictions]] with {{Wiki|Noumenon}}. | ||
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+ | When deluded [[thoughts]] arise which cannot be suppressed with the [[mind]], we should move to the second stage and ‘[[visualize]] {{Wiki|principles}}.’ | ||
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+ | For example, whenever the [[affliction]] of [[greed]] develops, we should [[visualize]] the {{Wiki|principles}} of [[impurity]], [[suffering]], [[impermanence]], [[No- Self]]. | ||
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+ | Whenever the [[affliction]] of [[anger]] arises, we should [[visualize]] the {{Wiki|principles}} of [[compassion]], [[forgiveness]] and [[emptiness of all dharmas]]. | ||
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+ | III. Suppressing [[Afflictions]] with [[Phenomena]]. | ||
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+ | Persons with heavy [[karma]] who cannot suppress their [[afflictions]] by [[visualizing]] {{Wiki|principles}} alone should use ‘[[phenomena]],’ that is, external [[forms]]. | ||
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+ | For example, {{Wiki|individuals}} who are prone to [[anger]] and [[delusion]] and are {{Wiki|aware}} of their shortcomings, should, when they are on the verge of bursting into a quarrel, immediately leave the scene and slowly sip a glass of cold [[water]]. | ||
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+ | Those heavily afflicted with the [[karma]] of lust-attachment who cannot suppress their [[afflictions]] through ‘[[visualization]] of [[principle]],’ should arrange to be near [[virtuous]] [[Elders]] and [[concentrate]] on [[Buddhist]] [[activities]] or distant travel, to overcome [[lust]] and [[memories]] gradually. | ||
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+ | The saying ‘absence makes the [[heart]] grow fonder,’ should really read ‘out of [[sight]], out of [[mind]].’ This is because [[sentient beings]]’ [[minds]] closely parallel their surroundings and {{Wiki|environment}}. | ||
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+ | If the surroundings disappear, the [[mind]] loses its anchor, and, gradually, all [[memories]] fade. | ||
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+ | IV. Suppressing [[Afflictions]] with Repentance and Recitation. In addition to the above three methods, which range from the {{Wiki|subtle}} to the gross, there is a fourth: repentance and the {{Wiki|recitation}} of [[sutras]], [[mantras]] and [[Amitabha]] [[Buddha’s]] [[name]]. | ||
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+ | If performed regularly, repentance and {{Wiki|recitation}} eradicate [[bad karma]] and generate [[merit]] and [[wisdom]]… | ||
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+ | Depending on circumstances, the [[practitioner]] can use any of these four methods to counteract the [[karma]] of [[greed]], [[anger]] and [[delusion]] in a general way. If these methods are practiced patiently and in earnest, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.” | ||
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Also see [[Kleshas]]. | Also see [[Kleshas]]. |
Latest revision as of 04:35, 13 December 2015
- See also :
- See also :
Afflictions: Negative emotions. (fan-nao): Can also be translated as defilements. Refers to the passions and ignorance that cause one to wander in "samsara" and hinder one from attaining enlightenment.
Six of the basic defilements are greed, hatred (anger), ignorance (delusion), conceit, doubt, and wrong views. Use of the word afflictions emphasizes the effects of the defilements.
See also: Afflictions are Bodhi; Delusion; Emotions; Evil; Love-attachment.
“The passions and ignorance that cause one to wander in Samsara and hinder one from reaching enlightenment. The word ‘afflictions’ emphasizes the effects of defilements. One list of the basic defilements names six: greed, hatred (or anger), ignorance (or delusion), arrogance, doubt, and wrong (evil) views.”
The basic goal of Buddhist teachings is to keep the mind empty and still so that our innate wisdom can manifest itself. (A Buddha is all wisdom at all times.) Thus, Buddhism fosters practices and habits that subdue passions and simplify life, freeing the cultivator for spiritual pursuits. It is in this context that sexual desire, excessive rest and sleep, etc. are considered afflictions.
Buddha Sakyamuni compared human beings chasing after the fleeting pleasures of this world to a child licking honey off a sharp knife. There is no way they can avoid hurting themselves. “They are like men who carry torches against a strong wind; the flame will surely burn their hands and faces.”
Subduing Afflictions
Buddhism of Wisdom & Faith – excerpts:
“The karmas of greed, anger and delusion manifest themselves in many forms, which are impossible to describe fully. I will discuss, in general, four basic ways to subdue them.
I. Suppressing Afflictions with the Mind.
There are only two points of divergence between the deluded and the enlightened (i.e., Buddhas and Bodhisattvas): purity is Buddhahood, defilement is the state of sentient beings.
Because the Buddhas are in accord with the Pure Mind, they are enlightened, fully endowed with spiritual powers and wisdom.
Because sentient beings are attached to worldly Dusts, they are deluded and revolve in the cycle of Birth and Death. To practice Pure Land is to go deep into the Buddha Recitation Samadhi, awakening to the Original Mind and attaining Buddhahood.
Therefore, if any deluded, agitated thought develops during Buddha Recitation, it should be severed immediately, allowing us to return to the state of the Pure Mind. This is counteracting afflictions with the mind.
II. Suppressing Afflictions with Noumenon.
When deluded thoughts arise which cannot be suppressed with the mind, we should move to the second stage and ‘visualize principles.’
For example, whenever the affliction of greed develops, we should visualize the principles of impurity, suffering, impermanence, No- Self.
Whenever the affliction of anger arises, we should visualize the principles of compassion, forgiveness and emptiness of all dharmas.
III. Suppressing Afflictions with Phenomena.
Persons with heavy karma who cannot suppress their afflictions by visualizing principles alone should use ‘phenomena,’ that is, external forms.
For example, individuals who are prone to anger and delusion and are aware of their shortcomings, should, when they are on the verge of bursting into a quarrel, immediately leave the scene and slowly sip a glass of cold water.
Those heavily afflicted with the karma of lust-attachment who cannot suppress their afflictions through ‘visualization of principle,’ should arrange to be near virtuous Elders and concentrate on Buddhist activities or distant travel, to overcome lust and memories gradually.
The saying ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder,’ should really read ‘out of sight, out of mind.’ This is because sentient beings’ minds closely parallel their surroundings and environment.
If the surroundings disappear, the mind loses its anchor, and, gradually, all memories fade.
IV. Suppressing Afflictions with Repentance and Recitation. In addition to the above three methods, which range from the subtle to the gross, there is a fourth: repentance and the recitation of sutras, mantras and Amitabha Buddha’s name.
If performed regularly, repentance and recitation eradicate bad karma and generate merit and wisdom…
Depending on circumstances, the practitioner can use any of these four methods to counteract the karma of greed, anger and delusion in a general way. If these methods are practiced patiently and in earnest, there is nothing that cannot be accomplished.”
Also see Kleshas.