Meaning of Ignorance in Buddhism.

In the process of learning, learning or practicing Buddhism, we often encounter the word " ignorance ." It is interpreted as "ignorance", the source of suffering should be treated first. But what is ignorance? And what is the meaning of the lack of common knowledge as we usually think? Let's study the Buddha's Lotus.

What is Ignorance?

Ignorance (avian: avidyā, Pali: avijjā, Tibetan: marigpa) in Buddhism is often translated as "ignorance". However, the ignorance here is not without knowledge or knowledge, but rather  a misconception of the nature of reality .

Ignorance is the source of suffering  (dukkha), the cause of craving and hatred of man. Thus, the "ignorance" here is the subtle lack of understanding of the true nature of the phenomenal world.

It can also be defined as not understanding  the full meaning of the Four Noble Truths . Ignorance is defined in the following Buddhist teachings:

• Four Noble Truths
• The first of the twelve links of Dependent Origination
• One of the three poisons in Mahayana Buddhism
• One of the six kleshas in Mahayana Abhidharma (Abhidharma, Abhidhamma)
• One of the ten fetters in the Theravada Buddhist teachings, the equivalent of moha (illusion, fuzzy)

In the context of the  twelve causation , Ignorance is often represented by a blind or blind man.

Originally from:  Ignorance (avidya) is a term derived from India (in the Vedas), it is a combination of two words a and vidya, which means "not vidya". From vidya means "to know, to perceive, to see, to understand". Therefore, avidya means "not knowing or understanding".

General Meaning

Ignorance is explained in different ways, at different levels in different Buddhist teachings or traditions. At the most basic level, there is ignorance or misconception about the true nature of existence.

More specifically the Four Noble Truths and the doctrines of impermanence, non-self or emptiness. In Buddhism and other Indian philosophies, ignorance is often translated as "ignorance," but for Alex Wayman (Buddhist researcher / 1921 - 2004) this sense is not sufficient and he Suggest the phrase "lack of clarity" as a better expression.

Meaning of Ignorance in Buddhism

Ignorance appears as a major discussion item in two doctrines of the nature of reality, in different Buddhist traditions. One is related to the  doctrine of  Anatta, which is ignorance or misconception of "self." The second relates to the  theory of impermanence  (Anicca), which is the ignorance or misconception of "eternity," when the true nature of reality is constantly changing.

Often, we only believe what we feel through the five physical senses, a real and logical scientific evidence. So we have misconceptions about things beyond our own experience, which makes inaccurate decisions.

For example, a fish does not see the hook behind the bait, so it's often a hassle to make a decision. If it sees the whole image, it may realize that something is wrong and not trying to get this.

Like the fish in the above example, we see pleasure in life through limited understanding, and therefore, we try to possess them in every way including negative actions. This limiting perspective prevents us from recognizing the true nature of these pleasures as temporary and non-intrusive.

The Buddha  was the one who saw the whole scene, he showed us the big picture and explained why we should believe it.

In Theravada Buddhism

Bhikkhu Bodhi says that  ignorance is an important part of  the Theravada teachings , which helps to understand the dependence that arises conditions that sustain the cycle of birth and death. One of the conditions is that kamma arises from ignorance. In other words, ignorance conceals "the perception of the true nature of things is the same as cataracts that conceal the perception of visible objects."

In the Suttanta Pitaka text, this ignorance refers to not understanding the true meaning of the Four Noble Truths. In the Abhidharma text, besides the Four Noble Truths, there is a lack of understanding of the "past one's death," "life after death," and the arising of dependence.

Ignorance is defined as the first link in the twelve links (12 nidanas) describing why a body is formed and is still bound in samsara, a cycle of repetition. take.

Twelve causes are an application of pratītyasamutpāda. This doctrine is presented in the Samyutta Nikaya II.2-4 and Digha Nikaya II.55-63, which states that rebirth arises through a series of twelve associations that originate from ignorance and end in vain destined to reproduce an endless cycle of dukkha (suffering, dissatisfaction).

In Mahayana Buddhism

Mahayana tradition as a lack of understanding about the nature of reality and past lives before a primal force, can only be broken through the insight of  emptiness (Sunyata).

Ignorance is the greatest impurity and  the main cause of suffering , leading to the  endless regeneration of samsara . Insight into emptiness (all things emptiness, not essence) will bring full awareness.

In  the Mahayana tradition , there are two levels of ignorance. Dzigar Kongtrul explained:

There are two levels of ignorance: Ignorance of the absolute, or essential nature of the phenomenon, and ignorance prevent us from correctly understanding the relative world. These two types of ignorance are like two threads threaded together tightly together, and we do not easily identify them, but they form an illusionary fabric.

We lack the wisdom to understand the true nature of existence, we think everything in this world is solid and true. Since there is no understanding of the Law of  Cause and Effect , karmic reactions and interdependence, that leads to an inadequate relationship between ourselves and the world.

In Buddhist Vajrayana

The Vajrayana tradition of  ignorance is the trap of  tying a person into the cycle of reincarnation. The  teachings of tantric Buddhism  focus on the practice of the Tantric path under the guidance of a teacher, to eliminate ignorance and achieve liberation in a single life.

How to Remove Ignorance

Ignorance or ignorance can be eliminated by feeding the opposite state to it. It is wisdom and deep awareness of the true nature of reality.

The Buddha compares ignorance to darkness, and the only way out of the darkness is to bring light. Similarly, the Buddha explained, ignorance can only be eliminated through the practice of wisdom.

No matter what else, to get rid of ignorance, we must cultivate wisdom by learning and practicing the Dharma. First, we nurture the wisdom to distinguish between moral and immoral behavior, then understand the true nature of the world, ie  impermanence ,  selflessness and suffering .

Even if we are taught about it or understood it through scriptures, it is not easy to eliminate ignorance. Because our minds are covered by impurities that have accumulated from an inevitable start.

Therefore, we need to understand the "true nature of this complex world" through personal experience on  the path of the Eightfold Path . END=NAM MO SAKYAMUNI BUDDHA.( 3 TIMES ).VIETNAMESE TRANSLATE ENGLISH BY=THICH CHAN TANH.THE MIND OF ENLIGHTENMENT.VIETNAMESE BUDDHIST NUN=GOLDEN LOTUS MONASTERY=AUSTRALIA,SYDNEY.25/6/2018.