Significance of Cankers
In Theravada Buddhism, Cankers are identified as mental poisons or afflictions that obstruct spiritual progress. They encompass various obstacles and defilements in the mind that hinder advancement, including negative influences attached to feelings. These impurities prevent individuals from achieving spiritual growth and are detrimental as they lead to attachment and suffering. Monks are believed to overcome these mental defilements through mindfulness and ascetic practices aimed at eliminating such hindrances, allowing for clearer spiritual perception.
Synonyms: Blisters
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Buddhist concept of 'Cankers'
Cankers in Buddhism represent mental impurities or defilements that obstruct spiritual progress. They manifest as negative influences and mental poisons, which practitioners seek to eliminate through mindfulness and ascetic practices, facilitating advancements on the spiritual path.
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) Mental defilements that arise from attachments and harmful desires, causing suffering.[1] (2) Negative influences that attach to feelings, leading to mundane perception.[2] (3) Mental defilements that lead to attachment and suffering, reflecting the pollutants of the mind.[3] (4) Mental poisons or afflictions that obstruct spiritual progress and can be confronted through mindfulness.[4] (5) Mental impurities or defilements that hinder spiritual progress, which ascetic practices aim to shake off or eliminate.[5]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) Mental defilements or impurities that prevent spiritual advancement, which the monks were freed from during the Lord's teaching.[6]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (4): Parivara
(1) Obstacles or defilements in the mind that prevent spiritual progress.[7]
From: Cetasikas
(1) Mental impediments that can be eliminated through endurance and discipline in understanding and managing aversion.[8]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The metaphorical impurities or defilements present in the mind that hinder spiritual progress.[9] (2) Defilements in Buddhist teachings that lead to suffering and hinder spiritual progress.[10] (3) The defilements or impurities of the mind that hinder spiritual progress; Nanda became free from these.[11] (4) Defilements or impurities that hinder spiritual progress, which the clergy associated with Buddha were free of.[12] (5) Refers to the psychological impurities or defilements that hinder spiritual progress and are notable in Bhagineyyupali's journey.[13]