Difference between revisions of "Middha"
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| − | [[Middha]] ([[Sanskrit]], [[Pali]]; Tibetan phonetic: nyi) is a [[Buddhist]] term that is translated as "{{Wiki|torpor}}", "{{Wiki|drowsiness}}", "[[sleep]]", etc. In the [[Theravada]] [[tradition]], [[middha]] is defined as a morbid state that is characterized by unwieldiness, lack of [[energy]], and opposition to [[wholesome]] [[activity]]. In the [[Mahayana]] [[tradition]], [[middha]] is defined as a [[mental factor]] that [[causes]] the [[mind]] to draw inward, lose {{Wiki|discrimination}} between [[wholesome]] and [[unwholesome]] activities, and drop out of activities altogether. | + | [[Middha]] ([[Sanskrit]], [[Pali]]; [[Tibetan]] phonetic: nyi) is a [[Buddhist]] term that is translated as "{{Wiki|torpor}}", "{{Wiki|drowsiness}}", "[[sleep]]", etc. In the [[Theravada]] [[tradition]], [[middha]] is defined as a morbid state that is characterized by unwieldiness, lack of [[energy]], and opposition to [[wholesome]] [[activity]]. In the [[Mahayana]] [[tradition]], [[middha]] is defined as a [[mental factor]] that [[causes]] the [[mind]] to draw inward, lose {{Wiki|discrimination}} between [[wholesome]] and [[unwholesome]] [[activities]], and drop out of [[activities]] altogether. |
[[Middha]] is identified as: | [[Middha]] is identified as: | ||
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==Explanations== | ==Explanations== | ||
| − | ===Theravada=== | + | ===[[Theravada]]=== |
[[Bhikkhu Bodhi]] explains: | [[Bhikkhu Bodhi]] explains: | ||
| − | :Torpor is the morbid state of the [[mental factors]]. Its [[characteristic]] is unwieldiness. Its [[function]] is to smother. It is [[manifested]] as drooping, or as nodding and sleepiness. Its proximate [[cause]] is the same as that of [[sloth]] ([[thina]]). | + | :{{Wiki|Torpor}} is the morbid state of the [[mental factors]]. Its [[characteristic]] is unwieldiness. Its [[function]] is to smother. It is [[manifested]] as drooping, or as nodding and sleepiness. Its proximate [[cause]] is the same as that of [[sloth]] ([[thina]]). |
| − | The [[Atthasālinī]] (II, [[Book]] I, Part IX, Chapter II, 255) states about [[sloth and torpor]]: “Absence of striving, difficulty through inability, is the meaning.” We then read the following definitions of [[sloth and torpor]]: | + | The [[Atthasālinī]] (II, [[Book]] I, Part IX, [[Chapter]] II, 255) states about [[sloth and torpor]]: “Absence of striving, difficulty through inability, is the meaning.” We then read the following definitions of [[sloth and torpor]]: |
| − | : The [[compound]] “sloth-torpor” is [[sloth]] plus torpor; of which [[sloth]] has absence of, or opposition to striving as [[characteristic]], [[destruction]] of [[energy]] as [[function]], sinking of associated states as [[manifestation]]; torpor has unwieldiness as [[characteristic]], closing the doors of [[consciousness]] as [[function]], shrinking in taking the [[object]], or [[drowsiness]] as [[manifestation]]; and both have unsystematic [[thought]], in not arousing oneself from discontent and [[laziness]] (or {{Wiki|indulgence}}), as proximate [[cause]]. | + | : The [[compound]] “sloth-torpor” is [[sloth]] plus {{Wiki|torpor}}; of which [[sloth]] has absence of, or opposition to striving as [[characteristic]], [[destruction]] of [[energy]] as [[function]], sinking of associated states as [[manifestation]]; {{Wiki|torpor}} has unwieldiness as [[characteristic]], closing the doors of [[consciousness]] as [[function]], shrinking in taking the [[object]], or [[drowsiness]] as [[manifestation]]; and both have unsystematic [[thought]], in not arousing oneself from {{Wiki|discontent}} and [[laziness]] (or {{Wiki|indulgence}}), as proximate [[cause]]. |
| − | Nina van Gorkom explains: | + | [[Nina van Gorkom]] explains: |
| − | : When there are [[sloth and torpor]] there is no [[energy]], no vigour to perform [[dāna]], to observe [[sīla]], to listen to [[Dhamma]], to study the [[Dhamma]] or to develop [[calm]], no [[energy]] to be [[mindful]] of the [[reality]] which appears now. | + | : When there are [[sloth and torpor]] there is no [[energy]], no [[vigour]] to perform [[dāna]], to observe [[sīla]], to listen to [[Dhamma]], to study the [[Dhamma]] or to develop [[calm]], no [[energy]] to be [[mindful]] of the [[reality]] which appears now. |
=== [[Mahayana]] === | === [[Mahayana]] === | ||
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The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | ||
| − | : What is [[drowsiness]] ([[middha]])? By making the [[cause]] of [[drowsiness]] its point of departure, the [[mind]] is agreeable to the positive, negative, indifferent, timely, untimely, appropriate, and inappropriate. [[Drowsiness]] is related to bewilderment erring. Its [[function]] is to become the basis of slipping away from what must he done. | + | : What is [[drowsiness]] ([[middha]])? By making the [[cause]] of [[drowsiness]] its point of departure, the [[mind]] is agreeable to the positive, negative, indifferent, timely, untimely, appropriate, and inappropriate. [[Drowsiness]] is related to [[bewilderment]] erring. Its [[function]] is to become the basis of slipping away from what must he done. |
[[Mipham Rinpoche]] states: | [[Mipham Rinpoche]] states: | ||
| − | : [[Middha]] [[causes]] the [[consciousness]] of the five [[sense]] doors to be withdrawn inwardly without any {{Wiki|discrimination}} as to what is [[virtuous]] or [[unvirtuous]], appropriate or inappropriate, or timely or untimely. It belongs to the category of [[delusion]] and forms the support for losing activities. | + | : [[Middha]] [[causes]] the [[consciousness]] of the five [[sense]] doors to be withdrawn inwardly without any {{Wiki|discrimination}} as to what is [[virtuous]] or [[unvirtuous]], appropriate or inappropriate, or timely or untimely. It belongs to the category of [[delusion]] and [[forms]] the support for losing [[activities]]. |
[[Alexander Berzin]] explains: | [[Alexander Berzin]] explains: | ||
| − | : [[Sleep]] ([[middha]]; [[Tibetan]]: gnyid) is a part of {{Wiki|naivety}} ([[moha]]). [[Sleep]] is a withdrawal from sensory [[cognition]], characterized by a [[physical]] [[feeling]] of heaviness, weakness, tiredness, and [[mental]] darkness. It [[causes]] us to drop our activities. | + | : [[Sleep]] ([[middha]]; [[Tibetan]]: [[gnyid]]) is a part of {{Wiki|naivety}} ([[moha]]). [[Sleep]] is a withdrawal from sensory [[cognition]], characterized by a [[physical]] [[feeling]] of {{Wiki|heaviness}}, weakness, tiredness, and [[mental]] {{Wiki|darkness}}. It [[causes]] us to drop our [[activities]]. |
== Alternate translations == | == Alternate translations == | ||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
* [[Drowsiness]] ({{Wiki|Herbert Guenther}}) | * [[Drowsiness]] ({{Wiki|Herbert Guenther}}) | ||
* [[Sleep]] ({{Wiki|Erik Pema Kunsang}}, [[Alexander Berzin]]) | * [[Sleep]] ({{Wiki|Erik Pema Kunsang}}, [[Alexander Berzin]]) | ||
| − | * Torpor ([[Bhikkhu Bodhi]], Nina van Gorkom) | + | * {{Wiki|Torpor}} ([[Bhikkhu Bodhi]], [[Nina van Gorkom]]) |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
Revision as of 07:24, 26 August 2014
Middha (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan phonetic: nyi) is a Buddhist term that is translated as "torpor", "drowsiness", "sleep", etc. In the Theravada tradition, middha is defined as a morbid state that is characterized by unwieldiness, lack of energy, and opposition to wholesome activity. In the Mahayana tradition, middha is defined as a mental factor that causes the mind to draw inward, lose discrimination between wholesome and unwholesome activities, and drop out of activities altogether.
Middha is identified as:
- One of the fourteen unwholesome mental factors within the Theravada Abhidharma teachings
- One of the four changeable mental factors within the Mahayana Abhidharma teachings
- One of the five hindrances to meditation within the Theravada tradition (in combination with thīna)
Explanations
Theravada
Bhikkhu Bodhi explains:
- Torpor is the morbid state of the mental factors. Its characteristic is unwieldiness. Its function is to smother. It is manifested as drooping, or as nodding and sleepiness. Its proximate cause is the same as that of sloth (thina).
The Atthasālinī (II, Book I, Part IX, Chapter II, 255) states about sloth and torpor: “Absence of striving, difficulty through inability, is the meaning.” We then read the following definitions of sloth and torpor:
- The compound “sloth-torpor” is sloth plus torpor; of which sloth has absence of, or opposition to striving as characteristic, destruction of energy as function, sinking of associated states as manifestation; torpor has unwieldiness as characteristic, closing the doors of consciousness as function, shrinking in taking the object, or drowsiness as manifestation; and both have unsystematic thought, in not arousing oneself from discontent and laziness (or indulgence), as proximate cause.
Nina van Gorkom explains:
- When there are sloth and torpor there is no energy, no vigour to perform dāna, to observe sīla, to listen to Dhamma, to study the Dhamma or to develop calm, no energy to be mindful of the reality which appears now.
Mahayana
The Abhidharma-samuccaya states:
- What is drowsiness (middha)? By making the cause of drowsiness its point of departure, the mind is agreeable to the positive, negative, indifferent, timely, untimely, appropriate, and inappropriate. Drowsiness is related to bewilderment erring. Its function is to become the basis of slipping away from what must he done.
Mipham Rinpoche states:
- Middha causes the consciousness of the five sense doors to be withdrawn inwardly without any discrimination as to what is virtuous or unvirtuous, appropriate or inappropriate, or timely or untimely. It belongs to the category of delusion and forms the support for losing activities.
Alexander Berzin explains:
- Sleep (middha; Tibetan: gnyid) is a part of naivety (moha). Sleep is a withdrawal from sensory cognition, characterized by a physical feeling of heaviness, weakness, tiredness, and mental darkness. It causes us to drop our activities.
Alternate translations
- Drowsiness (Herbert Guenther)
- Sleep (Erik Pema Kunsang, Alexander Berzin)
- Torpor (Bhikkhu Bodhi, Nina van Gorkom)
