Significance of Affliction

Across various traditions, Affliction is often described as mental or emotional disturbances. Hinduism views it as obstacles to meditation, while Jainism sees it as pain from inappropriate relationships or challenges on the path to liberation. Tibetan Buddhism identifies it as mental disturbances hindering enlightenment, and Vaishnavism as suffering from which devotees seek freedom. Yoga considers it as disturbances caused by ignorance and ego. Mahayana Buddhism expands on this, portraying Affliction as mental and emotional states that cloud the mind, obstruct spiritual progress, and cause suffering.1
gallery thumb

Synonyms: Distress, Suffering, Misery, Pain, Hardship, Anguish, Torment, Malady, Ailment, Burden, Adversity, Tribulation, Woe

In French: Affliction; In Dutch: Kwelling; In Finnish: Ahdistus; In Spanish: Aflicción; In German: Gebrechen; In Swedish: Lidande; In Malay: Kesengsaraan; In Polish: Cierpienie; In Portugese: Aflição; In Italian: Afflizione

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Affliction'

Buddhism Books

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) These are mental states that cause suffering and prevent one from attaining enlightenment. The concentration is able to drive away all sorts of these negative mental states.[1] (2) The Buddha can awaken himself and awaken people from the sleep of all the afflictions of the world, offering liberation.[2] (3) These are mental states or emotions that cause suffering and are considered one of the three kinds of obstacles, along with action and retribution.[3] (4) The afflictions, or klesha, and the fetters hide the light of correct seeing so that the shadow of the atman and of dharmas appear, demonstrating the importance of these obstructions.[4] (5) Also known as klesha, these trouble the five faculties until the faculties increase.[5]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) should be cut off, and if study of the dharma doesn't achieve this, it's ineffective, and the process involves not being turned around by situations and states of mind.[6] (2) These are seen as always being these, existing side by side with Bodhi without contradicting each other, which is considered a fundamentally wrong idea.[7] (3) The truth of accumulation refers to all our afflictions, which must be addressed as part of the practice of seeing suffering, eliminating accumulation, realizing cessation, and cultivating the Way.[8] (4) These are sources of pain or distress, and are something to be gotten rid of.[9] (5) Mental or emotional suffering that leads to distress, often resulting from worry, anxiety, or attachment.[10]

From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara

(1) The causes of all types of suffering are karma and afflictions, and the cause of karma is afflictions, with the root of afflictions being ego-clinging, according to the text.[11] (2) It is one of the two things, the other being non-virtue, that beings have mainly familiarized themselves with since time without beginning.[12] (3) Negative mental states such as ignorance, anger, desire, jealousy, or miserliness that practitioners aim to overcome through practice.[13] (4) Negative emotional states and attachments that arise from ego and fixation, contributing to suffering.[14] (5) Negative states of mind that hinder spiritual practice, including aggression, jealousy, pride, and ill will.[15]

From: Avatamsaka Sutra (flower adornment sutra)—Preface

(1) Refers to the disturbances and negative emotions that cloud understanding and perception.[16]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

(1) These are hindrances, such as love and hate, that obstruct the perception of the real nature of things and are rooted in wrong notions of the soul.[17] (2) The 'Afflictions' are also known as defects and are related to Love, Hate, etc., and anyone with these flaws cannot be considered trustworthy; therefore, there can be no 'word of the trustworthy person'.[18] (3) Obstacles or disturbances in one's mind that contribute to erroneous conceptual content; their absence is necessary for the Omniscient Person.[19] (4) Mental disturbances or negative states that hinder an individual's progress towards enlightenment and well-being.[20] (5) Various mental or emotional disturbances that can disorient the mind and lead to erroneous perceptions and pain.[21]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The Bodhisatta seeks ways to alleviate various kinds of suffering borne by beings, such as hunger, thirst, cold, and heat.[22]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: The Great Chariot

(1) These are conditions that can lead to death, but the text states that even without them, life is still passing away for sentient beings.[23]

Hindu concept of 'Affliction'

Hinduism Books

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)

(1) Afflictions, according to the text, have seeds that can be burnt up through desirelessness, preventing them from sprouting again and causing suffering to the Purusha.[24] (2) The provided text describes the modifications of these as being attenuated by the Yoga of action, and further destroyed by meditation.[25] (3) Afflictions are modifications of Nescience and can manifest in different states, including dormant, alternated, and fully operative, as outlined in the text.[26] (4) Obstacles and emotional disturbances that hinder the mind's ability to achieve states of higher consciousness and duty performance.[27] (5) The various disturbances or obstacles that hinder the attainment of peace and absolute freedom.[28]

From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)

(1) These arise from attachment to worldly affairs, and asceticism is the best antidote for them, and the practice of repeating a mantra for a long time serves to steady the mind.[29] (2) Various forms of suffering or distress that arise from desires and the experience of worldly pleasures.[30]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)

(1) The suffering and distress caused by the emotional impacts of separation from loved ones.[31] (2) The suffering experienced, particularly by Rama and his family, due to circumstances surrounding his exile.[32] (3) A state of suffering or distress that King Nriga finds himself in after receiving the curse.[33] (4) The ongoing suffering and sadness that Queen Kaushalya anticipates as a result of her son’s departure, contributing to her overall grief.[34]

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) A condition from which both desire and sorrow spring from.[35] (2) The text refers to regarding hope and "affliction" equally.[36]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) Affliction is a state of suffering or pain from which the Alvar achieves freedom through complete absorption in the Lord.[37] (2) Suffering or distress from which devotees seek freedom through the Lord's grace.[38]

From: Prem Sagar (English translation)

(1) A term referring to the suffering or distress associated with worldly attachments; the narrative suggests overcoming it through spiritual engagement.[39]

From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu

(1) It is a feeling experienced due to separation and concern for Krishna's well-being.[40]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology):
Jyotisha Books

From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology

(1) This lot results from subtracting the moon from Saturn and adding the sixth by the procedure stated at all times, according to the procedures described.[41] (2) This is one of the sahamas, a set of concepts that aid in the outcomes of all the houses, in the same manner that fate supports the endeavors of people.[42] (3) This is one of the sahamas, representing a cause of pain or distress, indicating suffering or hardship, according to the text.[43]

Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotisha or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

Significance in Kavya (poetry):
Kavya Books

From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)

(1) Describes the emotional pain Naravahanadatta suffers due to separation from Madanamancuka.[44]

Kavya refers to Sanskrit poetry, a popular ancient Indian tradition of literature. There have been many Sanskrit poets over the ages, hailing from ancient India and beyond. This topic includes mahakavya, or ‘epic poetry’ and natya, or ‘dramatic poetry’.

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha

(1) Mental obstacles or disturbances that hinder one's ability to meditate effectively and attain peace.[45]

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Mandukya Upanishad

(1) The experience of these, along with the destruction of the dual, impacts the perception of external objects in other philosophies.[46]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Jain concept of 'Affliction'

Jainism Books

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)

(1) Afflictions, such as hunger, do not occur without the rise of deluding karmas, but eleven afflictions arising from the feeling-producing karmas are attributed to Lord Jina.[47] (2) Affliction, or parishaha, is what occurs by chance, and is different from mortification, which is self-imposed, as explained in the text.[48] (3) These are caused by the conduct-deluding karmas, including nakedness, absence of pleasures, woman, posture, reproach, solicitation, and reverence and honor, as indicated in the provided text.[49] (4) The challenges or sufferings (parishaha) that individuals endure to remain steadfast on the path of stoppage and facilitate the dissociation of karmas.[50]

From: Naladiyar

(1) Sources of pain, suffering, or distress, which individuals may be hesitant to reveal to those lacking empathy or understanding, seeking instead the solace of those who intuitively comprehend.[51] (2) The emotional pain or distress that arises from pursuing inappropriate relationships or friendships.[52]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Affliction in local and regional sources

History Books

Significance in India history and geography:

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) Afflictions are the result of disorders of bile, phlegm, wind, or their colligation, and can be caused by changes in the weather, by neglect of oneself, by overexertion, or as a result of past actions.[53]

Classical concept of 'Affliction'

Various literature Books

Meaning of Afflictions in Ancient Greek mythology, history and philosophy:
Greek Books

From: The Argonautica (English translation)

(1) The text mentions that some bitter affliction keeps pace with our joy, indicating a source of suffering or distress that accompanies moments of happiness.[54]

From: The Odyssey of Homer (English translation)

(1) Afflictions are what Penelope is oppressed with, as heaven has seen fit to heap upon her, causing her great care and sorrow.[55]

Ancient Greece in the Archaic Period was made up from independent states, called Polis, or city state. Classical Greek culture, especially philosophy, had a powerful influence on the Roman Empire. Greek mythology consists of stories belonging to the ancient Greeks concerning their Gods and heroes, the nature of the world and the origins and significance of their religious practices.

Plural form: Afflictions.