Moha (Buddhism)
Moha (Sanskrit, Pali; Tibetan: gti mug (Wylie), timuk (transliteration)) is translated as "ignorance", "bewilderment", "stupidity", etc. It is defined as a dumbfounded state of not knowing what to do–a state of being deeply clouded, in which the mind is not clear. Moha is identified as one of the three poisons.
Overview
Chögyam Trungpa writes:
- The klesha of ignorance (timuk) is just superficial ignorance. In contrast, fundamental ignorance (avidya) is the refusal to relate at all with the totality of suffering. You want to boycott the whole situation.[1]
Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche writes:
- While ignorance [avidya] is simply the state of not knowing, stupidity [timuk] is the state of mind that allows us to repeat the same thing over and over again despite its negative consequences. Stupidity shares a partnership with other disturbing emotions, for instance in the way we get burnt again and again by our own aggression or the way, when coupled with attachment, stupidity supports its addictions. The persistent indifference and murkiness of stupidity allow us to continually re-create our mistakes, even if they make us sick. [2]
Alexander Berzin provides the following explanation based on the teaching of the Abhidharma:
- Naivety (moha) is the confusion, either about cause and effect or about reality, that accompanies destructive behavior and thought. Such confusion may arise because of not knowing about these things or because of apprehending them in an inverted manner.[3]
Classification
Moha is a subcategory of avidya. Whereas avidya is defined as a fundamental ignorance, moha is defined as an ignorance of cause and effect or of reality that accompanies only destructive states of mind or behavior.[4] Moha is sometimes replaced by avidya in lists of the three poisons. In contemporary explanations of the three poisons, teachers are likely to emphasize the fundamental ignorance of avidya rather than moha.
Translations for moha
- bewilderment
- confusion
- delusion
- ignorance
- mental dullness
- naivety
- stupidity
See also
Notes
References
- Ajahn Sucitto (2010). Turning the Wheel of Truth: Commentary on the Buddha's First Teaching. Shambhala.
- Berzin, Alexander. Developing Balanced Sensitivity: Practical Buddhist Exercises for Daily Life. Snow Lion.
- Chögyam Trungpa (2009). The Truth of Suffering and the Path of Liberation. Shambhala.
- Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche (2008). Light Comes Through. Shambhala.
- Goleman, Daniel (2008). Destructive Emotions: A Scientific Dialogue with the Dalai Lama. Bantam. Kindle Edition.
- Leifer, Ron (1997). The Happiness Project. Snow Lion.
- Mingyur Rinpoche (2007). The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness. Harmony. Kindle Edition.
External links