Significance of Darkness of ignorance
Synonyms: Ignorance, Unawareness, Lack of knowledge, Blindness, Illiteracy, Lack of education
In Dutch: Duisternis van onwetendheid
In Finnish: Tietämättömyyden pimeys
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Darkness of ignorance'
In Buddhism, the "darkness of ignorance" symbolizes a profound lack of awareness and understanding that obscures truth, leading to misconceptions and suffering. It is dispelled through teachings, rituals, and the guidance of spiritual friends, facilitating enlightenment.
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) A metaphor for the lack of understanding and awareness that obscures the path to enlightenment.[1] (2) The state of unawareness and lack of understanding that the Buddha aimed to dispel through his teachings.[2]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) A state of unawareness and lack of understanding that right view aims to eliminate.[3]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The state of unawareness that prevents sentient beings from recognizing the truths of the Dhamma.[4]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) The state of being unable to perceive or understand the truth due to lack of knowledge.[5]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) A metaphor for the lack of understanding or knowledge that inhibits growth and wisdom.[6]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The obstacles that prevent one from fully perceiving the true nature of reality.[7] (2) The state of unawareness and misunderstanding that causes suffering.[8]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) The state of confusion and lack of understanding that prevails in the absence of wisdom.[9]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) A state of confusion and lack of understanding that obscures spiritual insight.[10]
From: Lotus Sutra (Saddharma-Pundarika)
(1) The spiritual blindness that beings suffer from; Avalokitesvara's wisdom helps to dispel this ignorance.[11]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The state of unawareness and misunderstanding that spiritual friends help to dispel through their teachings.[12] (2) The state of unawareness and confusion that bodhicitta aims to eradicate from the lives of beings.[13] (3) Represents the state of lack of knowledge or awareness that leads individuals away from truth and understanding.[14]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Symbolizes the lack of knowledge that obscures the reality of Brahman, leading to misconceptions about its diverse appearances.[15]
From: Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary)
(1) A metaphor for unawareness or lack of understanding that is dispelled through the empowerment rituals.[16]
Hindu concept of 'Darkness of ignorance'
In Hinduism, "Darkness of ignorance" symbolizes spiritual confusion and unawareness, obstructing individuals from recognizing truth and self. It represents the veil over enlightenment, which is lifted through divine knowledge and understanding.
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The lack of awareness and understanding that conceals truth and leads to suffering.[17] (2) The state of mind that Vipaschit lived in before his transformation, representing a lack of understanding and insight.[18] (3) A metaphor for lack of knowledge or awareness, representing mental obscurity.[19] (4) A metaphorical representation of lack of knowledge or understanding.[20] (5) The state of unawareness and lack of understanding that is overcome through enlightenment and knowledge.[21]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The lack of self-knowledge that plagues creatures, reinforced by actions that are not aligned with divine teachings.[22] (2) The state that obscures the vision of the Soul, which can be dispelled through understanding and enlightenment.[23] (3) Symbolizes the lack of understanding and awareness that leads individuals away from righteousness and toward negative outcomes.[24] (4) A state of being where individuals lack Knowledge, leading them to be unaware of spiritual truths, as indicated by Sanjaya's response.[25] (5) The state of being unaware or misinformed about the true nature of existence, leading to attachment and aversion.[26]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) A metaphorical state that enveloped the sages, leading them to curse Maheshvara.[27] (2) A metaphor for unawareness or lack of knowledge that binds individuals to the cycle of sin and suffering.[28] (3) A state of being uninformed or blind to true knowledge, which the teachings of Shiva aim to illuminate.[29] (4) The state of unawareness and delusion affecting Brahma and Vishnu.[30] (5) A metaphorical term for lack of knowledge and awareness, which can be dispelled through divine presence and wisdom.[31]
From: Padma Purana
(1) A metaphorical description of the confusion and delusion that arises when the inner soul is overshadowed by sensory distractions.[32] (2) Refers to a state of unawareness characterized by the lack of spiritual knowledge.[33] (3) A metaphor for lack of knowledge and understanding that hinders spiritual growth and enlightenment.[34] (4) A metaphorical representation of lack of knowledge and understanding, countered by spiritual teachings.[35] (5) A metaphor for lack of knowledge and moral understanding, contrasting with the virtues upheld under Rama's rule.[36]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) The state of unawareness and confusion regarding the true nature of reality and self.[37] (2) Refers to the spiritual confusion that Krishna dispels through His divine knowledge.[38] (3) The confusion and lack of knowledge that are dispelled by listening to the episodes of Hari.[39]
From: Bhagavadgita
(1) A quality that deludes all embodied selves and binds them with heedlessness, indolence, and sleep.[40]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) A state implied in Daksha's failure to recognize Shiva's importance in the sacrificial rites.[41]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) A metaphor for the spiritual ignorance and confusion that hinders one's understanding and connection with the Divine.[42]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) A metaphor for the lack of knowledge and awareness, representing spiritual blindness concerning truth.[43]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) A metaphorical expression signifying the lack of awareness and understanding, which envelops Datta.[44]
From: Brahma Purana
(1) A state of being that confounds individuals, which is alleviated by the knowledge imparted through the Purana.[45]
From: Harivamsha Purana
(1) A metaphor for a state of unawareness or lack of knowledge.[46]
From: Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) A metaphorical concept represented as being destroyed by the wisdom and knowledge of Kapila.[47]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Refers to the misunderstanding and perceived separateness in the world, highlighting the philosophical themes present in the text about unity of existence.[48]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) A state of lack of understanding where individuals believe they are spiritually accomplished without true knowledge.[49] (2) A state of unawareness or misguided beliefs that spiritual scriptures aim to dissipate through knowledge.[50] (3) The state of unawareness or lack of knowledge regarding spiritual truths, which prevents individuals from recognizing the sanctity of chanting the holy names.[51] (4) A metaphor for the lack of spiritual understanding and realization that plagues living entities until they attain spiritual knowledge.[52] (5) The veiling of true understanding and realization of spiritual truths that conditioned souls experience before awakening.[53]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) A state of unawareness or misunderstanding regarding the nature of one's relationship with the divine.[54] (2) The lack of spiritual understanding that is dispelled by the light of bhakti.[55]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) A metaphor for lack of knowledge and enlightenment, which obscures true understanding and leads to flawed perceptions of one's identity.[56]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) a metaphor highlighting a state of confusion or lack of awareness resulting from ignorance.[57]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) A metaphorical state representing a lack of knowledge or awareness, which one transcends through wisdom.[58] (2) This symbolizes a state of lack of knowledge or awareness, contrasting with the illumination of knowledge.[59] (3) Symbolizes the lack of knowledge and awareness that obscures one's true self.[60]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The state of avidya, where one is unaware of their true self and bound by desire and attachment.[61] (2) Represents the state of avidya or ignorance that prevents individuals from realizing Brahman and attaining liberation.[62]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) A metaphor used to explain how something may exist but remains unperceived due to lack of awareness or light, similar to a hidden pot.[63] (2) The lack of knowledge or awareness that obstructs the attainment of Brahman.[64]
From: Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) The state of unawareness or lack of knowledge that obscures the understanding of one's true self, the Atman.[65]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) A metaphorical darkness representing a lack of understanding or enlightenment.[66]
From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) This phrase represents the lack of knowledge and understanding that surrounds and obscures the truth from an individual's perception.[67]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Refers to the obscured state of awareness that prevents understanding of the True Self and existence.[68]
From: Vakyapadiya (study of the concept of Sentence)
(1) A metaphorical phrase indicating a state where knowledge cannot be attained without language.[69]
Jain concept of 'Darkness of ignorance'
In Jainism, the "Darkness of ignorance" symbolizes the absence of knowledge and awareness, reflecting the challenges individuals face in achieving true understanding and enlightenment in their spiritual journey.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) A figurative expression for the lack of knowledge and understanding in the world.[70]
The concept of Darkness of ignorance in local and regional sources
"Darkness of ignorance" symbolizes the absence of knowledge and awareness, highlighting the journey from confusion to enlightenment, as emphasized in Visoba's transformation and in Tagore's aim to illuminate societal understanding through wisdom and faith.
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) The metaphorical lack of understanding or awareness that was dispelled from Visoba's mind.[71] (2) A metaphorical state representing lack of knowledge and understanding that has been removed.[72] (3) The lack of knowledge or understanding that obscures spiritual clarity, which is dispelled by wisdom and faith.[73]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) A state of mind characterized by a lack of knowledge or understanding, from which one seeks to be led towards enlightenment.[74] (2) Represents the lack of awareness or understanding prevalent in society, as discussed in lines 12-15 of the poem.[75] (3) A metaphorical phrase representing the lack of knowledge that Tagore aimed to illuminate with his work.[76]