Difference between revisions of "Four obscurations"
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| − | [[Image:Skycloudsun.jpg|thumb|350px|The sun covered by clouds, a common metaphor for [[buddha nature]] obscured by the obscurations]] | + | [[Image:Skycloudsun.jpg|thumb|350px|The sun covered by clouds, a common metaphor for [[buddha nature]] obscured by the [[obscurations]]]] |
| − | '''[[Four obscurations]]''' (Tib. ''[[dribpa shyi]]''; Wyl. ''[[sgrib pa bzhi]]''). There are four [[obscurations]] that hinder us from realizing our true nature. They are: | + | '''[[Four obscurations]]''' (Tib. ''[[dribpa shyi]]''; [[Wyl.]] ''[[sgrib pa bzhi]]''). There are four [[obscurations]] that hinder us from [[realizing]] our [[true nature]]. They are: |
*[[karmic obscurations]], | *[[karmic obscurations]], | ||
*[[emotional obscurations]], | *[[emotional obscurations]], | ||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
[[Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol]] says: | [[Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol]] says: | ||
| − | :'''[[Karmic obscurations]]''' include naturally [[negative actions]] and infringements of vows. | + | :'''[[Karmic obscurations]]''' include naturally [[negative actions]] and infringements of [[vows]]. |
:'''[[Emotional obscurations]]''' were defined by Lord [[Maitreya]] as: | :'''[[Emotional obscurations]]''' were defined by Lord [[Maitreya]] as: | ||
| − | ::Any thought involving avarice and so on | + | ::Any [[thought]] involving [[avarice]] and so on |
| − | ::Is held to be an emotional obscuration. | + | ::Is held to be an [[emotional obscuration]]. |
| − | :Any thought involving avarice, lack of ethical discipline and so on, which impedes the pure enactment of the [[six paramitas|transcendent perfections]], is held to be an emotional obscuration. | + | :Any [[thought]] involving [[avarice]], lack of [[ethical discipline]] and so on, which impedes the [[pure]] enactment of the [[six paramitas|transcendent perfections]], is held to be an [[emotional obscuration]]. |
| − | :Regarding '''[[cognitive obscurations]]''', Lord Maitreya says: | + | :Regarding '''[[cognitive obscurations]]''', [[Lord Maitreya]] says: |
| − | ::Any thought involving subject, object and action, | + | ::Any [[thought]] involving [[subject]], [[object]] and [[action]], |
| − | ::Is held to be a cognitive obscuration. | + | ::Is held to be a [[cognitive obscuration]]. |
| − | :Any thought involving the three conceptual spheres of subject, object and action, which impedes the complete accomplishment of the transcendent perfections, is held to be a cognitive obscuration. | + | :Any [[thought]] involving the [[three conceptual spheres]] of [[subject]], [[object]] and [[action]], which impedes the complete [[accomplishment]] of the [[transcendent]] [[perfections]], is held to be a [[cognitive obscuration]]. |
| − | :The '''[[habitual obscurations]]''' are explained according to the [[sutra]]s as extremely subtle forms of cognitive obscuration, like the scent left behind in a container which once held musk. In the [[mantra]] tradition, they are the habitual tendencies of the transference of the [[three appearances]], which are to be overcome by vajra-like primordial wisdom. | + | :The '''[[habitual obscurations]]''' are explained according to the [[sutra]]s as extremely {{Wiki|subtle}} [[forms]] of [[cognitive obscuration]], like the {{Wiki|scent}} left behind in a container which once held musk. In the [[mantra]] [[tradition]], they are the [[habitual tendencies]] of the [[transference]] of the [[three appearances]], which are to be overcome by vajra-like [[primordial wisdom]]. |
| − | :What do these four kinds of obscuration obscure? | + | :What do these four kinds of {{Wiki|obscuration}} obscure? |
| − | ::Naturally negative actions obscure the temporary attainment of the [[three higher realms|higher realms]]. | + | ::Naturally [[negative actions]] obscure the temporary [[attainment]] of the [[three higher realms|higher realms]]. |
| − | ::Infringements of vows obscure the temporary attainment of the higher realms and the ultimate attainment of the three kinds of [[enlightenment]]. | + | ::Infringements of [[vows]] obscure the temporary [[attainment]] of the [[higher realms]] and the [[ultimate attainment]] of the three kinds of [[enlightenment]]. |
::[[Emotional obscurations]] obscure [[liberation]]. | ::[[Emotional obscurations]] obscure [[liberation]]. | ||
::[[Cognitive obscurations]] and [[habitual obscurations]] obscure the level of [[omniscience]]. | ::[[Cognitive obscurations]] and [[habitual obscurations]] obscure the level of [[omniscience]]. | ||
==Further Reading== | ==Further Reading== | ||
| − | *[[Khenpo Ngawang Palzang]], ''[[A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher]]'' (Boston & London: [[Shambhala Publications]], 2004), pages 221-225. | + | *[[Khenpo Ngawang Palzang]], ''[[A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher]]'' (Boston & {{Wiki|London}}: [[Shambhala Publications]], 2004), pages 221-225. |
| − | *[[Thinley Norbu]], ''The Small Golden Key'' ([[Shambhala Publications]], 1999), '11. The Four Obscurations'. | + | *[[Thinley Norbu]], ''[[The Small Golden Key]]'' ([[Shambhala Publications]], 1999), '11. The [[Four Obscurations]]'. |
{{RigpaWiki}} | {{RigpaWiki}} | ||
[[Category:Buddha nature]]{{BuddhismbyNumber}} | [[Category:Buddha nature]]{{BuddhismbyNumber}} | ||
Revision as of 00:15, 30 September 2015
Four obscurations (Tib. dribpa shyi; Wyl. sgrib pa bzhi). There are four obscurations that hinder us from realizing our true nature. They are:
Commentary
Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol says:
- Karmic obscurations include naturally negative actions and infringements of vows.
- Emotional obscurations were defined by Lord Maitreya as:
- Any thought involving avarice and so on
- Is held to be an emotional obscuration.
- Any thought involving avarice, lack of ethical discipline and so on, which impedes the pure enactment of the transcendent perfections, is held to be an emotional obscuration.
- Regarding cognitive obscurations, Lord Maitreya says:
- Any thought involving subject, object and action,
- Is held to be a cognitive obscuration.
- Any thought involving the three conceptual spheres of subject, object and action, which impedes the complete accomplishment of the transcendent perfections, is held to be a cognitive obscuration.
- The habitual obscurations are explained according to the sutras as extremely subtle forms of cognitive obscuration, like the scent left behind in a container which once held musk. In the mantra tradition, they are the habitual tendencies of the transference of the three appearances, which are to be overcome by vajra-like primordial wisdom.
- What do these four kinds of obscuration obscure?
- Naturally negative actions obscure the temporary attainment of the higher realms.
- Infringements of vows obscure the temporary attainment of the higher realms and the ultimate attainment of the three kinds of enlightenment.
- Emotional obscurations obscure liberation.
- Cognitive obscurations and habitual obscurations obscure the level of omniscience.
Further Reading
- Khenpo Ngawang Palzang, A Guide to the Words of My Perfect Teacher (Boston & London: Shambhala Publications, 2004), pages 221-225.
- Thinley Norbu, The Small Golden Key (Shambhala Publications, 1999), '11. The Four Obscurations'.
