Difference between revisions of "Vicikitsa"
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− | '''[[Vicikitsa]]''' ([[Sanskrit]], also ''[[vicikitsā]]''; [[Pali]]: ''[[vicikicchā]]''; Tibetan Wylie: ''[[the tshom]]'') is a [[Buddhist]] term that is translated as "[[doubt]]"; [[sceptical doubts]] or "[[indecision]]". It is defined as being of two [[minds]] about the meaning of the [[Four Noble Truths]]; it functions as a basis for not becoming involved with wholesome activities. | + | '''[[Vicikitsa]]''' ([[Sanskrit]], also ''[[vicikitsā]]''; [[Pali]]: ''[[vicikicchā]]''; [[Tibetan]] Wylie: ''[[the tshom]]'') is a [[Buddhist]] term that is translated as "[[doubt]]"; [[sceptical doubts]] or "[[indecision]]". It is defined as [[being]] of two [[minds]] about the meaning of the [[Four Noble Truths]]; it functions as a basis for not [[becoming]] involved with [[wholesome]] activities. |
[[File:Buddha10.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Buddha10.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
[[Vicikitsa]] is identified as: | [[Vicikitsa]] is identified as: | ||
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===[[Theravada]]=== | ===[[Theravada]]=== | ||
Nina van Gorkom explains: | Nina van Gorkom explains: | ||
− | :The [[reality]] of [[vicikicchā]] is not the same as what we mean by [[doubt]] in conventional language. [[Vicikicchā]] is not [[doubt]] about someone's name or about the weather. [[Vicikicchā]] is doubt about [[realities]], about [[nāma]] and [[Rūpa]], about [[cause]] and result, about the [[Four Noble Truths]], about the “[[Dependent Origination]]”. | + | :The [[reality]] of [[vicikicchā]] is not the same as what we mean by [[doubt]] in conventional [[language]]. [[Vicikicchā]] is not [[doubt]] about someone's name or about the weather. [[Vicikicchā]] is [[doubt]] about [[realities]], about [[nāma]] and [[Rūpa]], about [[cause]] and result, about the [[Four Noble Truths]], about the “[[Dependent Origination]]”. |
The [[Atthasālinī]] (II, Part IX, Chapter III, 259) defines [[vicikicchā]] as follows: | The [[Atthasālinī]] (II, Part IX, Chapter III, 259) defines [[vicikicchā]] as follows: | ||
− | : ...It has shifting about as characteristic, mental wavering as function, indecision or uncertainty in grasp as manifestation, unsystematic [[thought]] (unwise attention) as proximate [[cause]], and it should be regarded as a danger to attainment. | + | : ...It has shifting about as characteristic, [[mental]] wavering as function, indecision or uncertainty in [[grasp]] as [[manifestation]], unsystematic [[thought]] (unwise [[attention]]) as proximate [[cause]], and it should be regarded as a [[danger]] to attainment. |
===[[Mahayana]]=== | ===[[Mahayana]]=== | ||
The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | ||
− | :What is [[vicikitsa]]? It is to be in two [[minds]] about the [[truth]], and its function is to serve as a basis for not becoming involved with positive things. | + | :What is [[vicikitsa]]? It is to be in two [[minds]] about the [[truth]], and its function is to serve as a basis for not [[becoming]] involved with positive things. |
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Revision as of 19:42, 25 August 2013
Vicikitsa (Sanskrit, also vicikitsā; Pali: vicikicchā; Tibetan Wylie: the tshom) is a Buddhist term that is translated as "doubt"; sceptical doubts or "indecision". It is defined as being of two minds about the meaning of the Four Noble Truths; it functions as a basis for not becoming involved with wholesome activities.
Vicikitsa is identified as:
- One of the six root unwholesome mental factors within the Mahayana Abhidharma teachings
- One of the fourteen unwholesome mental factors within the Theravada Abhidharma teachings
- One of the five hindrances that impede meditation within the Theravada teachings
- One of the ten fetters in the Theravada tradition
Explanations
Theravada
Nina van Gorkom explains:
- The reality of vicikicchā is not the same as what we mean by doubt in conventional language. Vicikicchā is not doubt about someone's name or about the weather. Vicikicchā is doubt about realities, about nāma and Rūpa, about cause and result, about the Four Noble Truths, about the “Dependent Origination”.
The Atthasālinī (II, Part IX, Chapter III, 259) defines vicikicchā as follows:
- ...It has shifting about as characteristic, mental wavering as function, indecision or uncertainty in grasp as manifestation, unsystematic thought (unwise attention) as proximate cause, and it should be regarded as a danger to attainment.
Mahayana
The Abhidharma-samuccaya states: