Difference between revisions of "Asava"
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[[File:Lighte.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Lighte.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | [[Āsava]] is a [[Pali]] term ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Āśrava]]) that is used in [[Buddhist]] scripture, [[philosophy]], and [[psychology]]. The glossary of the Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy defines [[āsava]]/[[āśrava]] as: | + | [[Āsava]] is a [[Pali]] term ([[Sanskrit]]: [[Āśrava]]) that is used in [[Buddhist]] [[scripture]], [[philosophy]], and [[psychology]]. The glossary of the Companion Encyclopedia of Asian [[Philosophy]] defines [[āsava]]/[[āśrava]] as: |
| − | : [[inflow]], [[influx]], [[influence]]; [[Mental]] bias or canker, [[cankers]] that keep one bound to the [[World]] of [[Samsāra]]; used particularly in [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]].:948 | + | : [[inflow]], [[influx]], [[influence]]; [[Mental]] bias or [[canker]], [[cankers]] that keep one bound to the [[World]] of [[Samsāra]]; used particularly in [[Jainism]] and [[Buddhism]].:948 |
According to De Silva: | According to De Silva: | ||
| − | : The [[āsavas]] which are mentioned frequently are [[kāmāsava]], [[bhavāsava]], [[diṭṭhāsava]] and [[Avijjāsava]]. Horner translates these as the [[cankers]] of [[sense-pleasure]], becoming, [[false views]] and [[Ignorance]]. The word [[canker]] suggests something that corrodes or corrupts slowly. These figurative meanings perhaps describe facets of the concept of [[āsava]]: kept long in storage, oozing out, taint, corroding, etc.:75 | + | : The [[āsavas]] which are mentioned frequently are [[kāmāsava]], [[bhavāsava]], [[diṭṭhāsava]] and [[Avijjāsava]]. Horner translates these as the [[cankers]] of [[sense-pleasure]], [[becoming]], [[false views]] and [[Ignorance]]. The word [[canker]] suggests something that corrodes or corrupts slowly. These figurative meanings perhaps describe facets of the {{Wiki|concept}} of [[āsava]]: kept long in storage, oozing out, taint, corroding, etc.:75 |
| − | {{Wiki|Radhakrishnan}} states that the word "[[asava]]" appears in the [[Dhammapada]], an important [[Buddhist]] scripture, in verses 93, 226, 253, 292, and 293. Verse 226 (chapter 17, verse 6) reads | + | {{Wiki|Radhakrishnan}} states that the word "[[asava]]" appears in the [[Dhammapada]], an important [[Buddhist]] [[scripture]], in verses 93, 226, 253, 292, and 293. Verse 226 (chapter 17, verse 6) reads |
: 6. sadā jāgaramānānam, ahorattānusikkhinam | : 6. sadā jāgaramānānam, ahorattānusikkhinam | ||
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This verse has been translated by [[Acharya]] [[Buddharakkhita]] as | This verse has been translated by [[Acharya]] [[Buddharakkhita]] as | ||
| − | : Those who are ever vigilant, who discipline themselves day and night, | + | : Those who are ever vigilant, who [[discipline]] themselves day and night, |
: and are ever intent upon [[Nibbana]] – their [[Defilements]] fade away. | : and are ever intent upon [[Nibbana]] – their [[Defilements]] fade away. | ||
| Line 22: | Line 22: | ||
These points are collected and summarized by [[Bhikkhu]] [[Bodhi]] thus: | These points are collected and summarized by [[Bhikkhu]] [[Bodhi]] thus: | ||
| − | : The [[āsavas]] or [[taints]] are a classification of [[Defilements]] considered in their role of sustaining the forward movement of the process of [[birth]] and [[Death]]. The commentaries derive the word from a root su meaning "to flow." {{Wiki|Scholars}} differ as to whether the flow implied by the prefix ā is inward or outward; hence some have rendered it as "[[influxes]]" or "[[influences]]," others as "[[outflows]]" or "effluents." A stock passage in the [[suttas]] indicates the term's real significance independently of {{Wiki|etymology}} when it describes the [[āsavas]] as states "that defile, bring renewal of existence, give trouble, ripen in [[Suffering]], and lead to future birth, aging and [[Death]]" (MN 36.47; I 250). Thus other translators, bypassing the literal meaning, have rendered it "[[cankers]]," "[[corruptions]]," or "[[taints]]." The three [[taints]] mentioned in the [[Nikāyas]] are respectively synonyms for [[Craving]] for [[sensual pleasures]], [[Craving]] for [[existence]], and [[Ignorance]]. [The fourth [[āsava]], [[attachment to views]], appears in the commentaries.] When the [[Disciple]]'s [[Mind]] is liberated from the [[taints]] by the completion of the [[path]] of [[arhantship]], he reviews his newly won freedom and roars his lion's roar: "Birth is destroyed, the spiritual [[Life]] has been lived, what had to be done has been done; there is no more coming back to any state of being." | + | : The [[āsavas]] or [[taints]] are a classification of [[Defilements]] considered in their role of sustaining the forward movement of the process of [[birth]] and [[Death]]. The commentaries derive the word from a [[root]] su meaning "to flow." {{Wiki|Scholars}} differ as to whether the flow implied by the prefix ā is inward or outward; hence some have rendered it as "[[influxes]]" or "[[influences]]," others as "[[outflows]]" or "effluents." A stock passage in the [[suttas]] indicates the term's real significance independently of {{Wiki|etymology}} when it describes the [[āsavas]] as states "that defile, bring renewal of [[existence]], give trouble, ripen in [[Suffering]], and lead to future [[birth]], [[aging]] and [[Death]]" (MN 36.47; I 250). Thus other translators, bypassing the literal meaning, have rendered it "[[cankers]]," "[[corruptions]]," or "[[taints]]." The three [[taints]] mentioned in the [[Nikāyas]] are respectively synonyms for [[Craving]] for [[sensual pleasures]], [[Craving]] for [[existence]], and [[Ignorance]]. [The fourth [[āsava]], [[attachment to views]], appears in the commentaries.] When the [[Disciple]]'s [[Mind]] is liberated from the [[taints]] by the completion of the [[path]] of [[arhantship]], he reviews his newly won freedom and roars his lion's roar: "[[Birth]] is destroyed, the [[spiritual]] [[Life]] has been lived, what had to be done has been done; there is no more coming back to any [[state of being]]." |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Revision as of 19:29, 25 August 2013
Āsava is a Pali term (Sanskrit: Āśrava) that is used in Buddhist scripture, philosophy, and psychology. The glossary of the Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy defines āsava/āśrava as:
- inflow, influx, influence; Mental bias or canker, cankers that keep one bound to the World of Samsāra; used particularly in Jainism and Buddhism.:948
According to De Silva:
- The āsavas which are mentioned frequently are kāmāsava, bhavāsava, diṭṭhāsava and Avijjāsava. Horner translates these as the cankers of sense-pleasure, becoming, false views and Ignorance. The word canker suggests something that corrodes or corrupts slowly. These figurative meanings perhaps describe facets of the concept of āsava: kept long in storage, oozing out, taint, corroding, etc.:75
Radhakrishnan states that the word "asava" appears in the Dhammapada, an important Buddhist scripture, in verses 93, 226, 253, 292, and 293. Verse 226 (chapter 17, verse 6) reads
- 6. sadā jāgaramānānam, ahorattānusikkhinam
- nibbāṇam adhimuttānam, atthaṁ gacchanti āsavā 226
This verse has been translated by Acharya Buddharakkhita as
- Those who are ever vigilant, who discipline themselves day and night,
- and are ever intent upon Nibbana – their Defilements fade away.
Rhys Davids & Stede (1921–25) state in part that "Freedom from the 'Āsavas' constitutes Arahantship."
These points are collected and summarized by Bhikkhu Bodhi thus:
- The āsavas or taints are a classification of Defilements considered in their role of sustaining the forward movement of the process of birth and Death. The commentaries derive the word from a root su meaning "to flow." Scholars differ as to whether the flow implied by the prefix ā is inward or outward; hence some have rendered it as "influxes" or "influences," others as "outflows" or "effluents." A stock passage in the suttas indicates the term's real significance independently of etymology when it describes the āsavas as states "that defile, bring renewal of existence, give trouble, ripen in Suffering, and lead to future birth, aging and Death" (MN 36.47; I 250). Thus other translators, bypassing the literal meaning, have rendered it "cankers," "corruptions," or "taints." The three taints mentioned in the Nikāyas are respectively synonyms for Craving for sensual pleasures, Craving for existence, and Ignorance. [The fourth āsava, attachment to views, appears in the commentaries.] When the Disciple's Mind is liberated from the taints by the completion of the path of arhantship, he reviews his newly won freedom and roars his lion's roar: "Birth is destroyed, the spiritual Life has been lived, what had to be done has been done; there is no more coming back to any state of being."
