Significance of Delusion
Synonyms: Illusion, Misconception, Fallacy, Deception, Fantasy, Mirage, Misbelief, False belief, Chimera
In Dutch: Waanidee; In Finnish: Harhaluulo; In Spanish: Engaño
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Delusion'
In Buddhism, delusion encompasses false beliefs and misconceptions about reality, leading to significant misunderstandings and ignorance. It obscures true perception, hinders spiritual progress, and results in suffering and negative karma, making the pursuit of clarity essential for enlightenment.
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) Referring to the state of being misled or confused about the nature of reality, often leading to suffering.[1] (2) Misguided beliefs arising from false views that prevent individuals from seeing the truth, leading to the cycle of karma and rebirth.[2] (3) A state of misunderstanding that obscures true perception, causing confusion and leading to erroneous views.[3]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The misunderstanding of the nature of realities and experiences, which results from grasping at wrong views about existence and identity.[4] (2) A state that, when abundant, leads to rebirth as insects or foolish birds.[5]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) A mistaken perception of reality, which leads to emotional disturbances and suffering; overcoming delusion is essential for achieving enlightenment.[6] (2) A state of misunderstanding rooted in ignorance that prevents recognition of reality.[7]
From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra
(1) A misunderstanding or misperception of reality, causing attachments and erroneous beliefs that hinder spiritual progress.[8] (2) A state of misunderstanding one’s own Essence of Mind, critiqued by the Patriarch.[9]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) Masquerading wisdom, a state that individuals like Mara exist in while trying to impede the Bodhisattva's path.[10]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Purvapranidhana Sutra
(1) A state of confusion or misunderstanding that leads beings to commit harmful actions, resulting in negative karma.[11]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) A type of ignorance that constitutes one of the three immoral roots.[12] (2) A mental state characterized by misconceptions that can adversely affect judgment and clarity of thought.[13] (3) A state of being misled or deceived, leading to a lack of understanding of reality.[14]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) A state of confusion or misunderstanding that arises from being under the influence of illusory perceptions and diffusing factors.[15] (2) The misunderstanding of reality that the Buddha's teachings aim to clarify and abolish.[16]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) A state of ignorance that impairs an individual's understanding of welfare and leads to unwholesome actions.[17] (2) A state of misunderstanding or ignorance about the nature of reality, constituting a significant mental taint.[18]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) A false belief or judgment that persists despite evidence to the contrary.[19]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) False beliefs or misconceptions that can be dispelled through the attainment of knowledge and wisdom, particularly regarding reality and existence.[20]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) A mistaken belief or perception that obscures the true nature of an object, resulting in false cognitions.[21] (2) A false belief or judgment that is held despite evidence to the contrary, often referring to a misunderstanding of reality.[22] (3) A false belief or judgment about something, which may lead to errors in understanding.[23] (4) A false belief or perception that leads individuals to misinterpret reality, particularly regarding what is considered clean or unclean.[24] (5) A misguided belief or opinion, where individuals may deny the existence of the Omniscient Person despite the presence of supporting arguments.[25]
From: The Six Yogas of Naropa
(1) Misunderstandings or false perceptions about desires and pleasures; a reminder of the need for mental clarity.[26]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) The state described as 'blind folded by darkness' which obscured the understanding of beings and represents one of the three fires mentioned.[27] (2) A fundamental fault that acts as the origin of various other faults, influencing one's perceptions and actions.[28]
Hindu concept of 'Delusion'
In Hinduism, delusion represents a state of misunderstanding and confusion about reality, often caused by sensory perceptions and emotional states, leading individuals to misidentify with the physical body instead of realizing their true nature as Brahman.
From: Skanda Purana
(1) The state of misunderstanding or ignorance experienced by both Brahma and Vishnu regarding their powers.[29] (2) The misguided state of King Prithu that led to his intent to kill, resulting in his penance.[30] (3) A state expressed by Lord Dharma describing the misguided proclamation by the king of Tirthas, suggesting a fall from humility.[31] (4) A mental state that those who participate in the Nrisimha covering with excellent cloths during winter will never experience, signifying spiritual clarity.[32] (5) The false beliefs held by individuals that prevent them from recognizing the significance of sacred practices.[33]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The state of confusion and misunderstanding resulting from sensory experiences, viewed as an impediment to true knowledge.[34] (2) A quality that is part of the Darkness category.[35]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) Misunderstandings that cloud perception and create false beliefs about one's identity, particularly the notion of mortality.[36] (2) A false belief or perception that conceals the truth, causing individuals to misinterpret the nature of reality.[37]
From: Anugita (English translation)
(1) The state of being misled or deceived by perceptions linked to the senses and worldly life.[38]
From: Padma Purana
(1) A misleading state that causes the king to doubt his reality and the intentions of others around him.[39]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) A state of misunderstanding or falling away from truth, which can impact the efficacy of worship, particularly if alternate mantras are invoked.[40]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) The state of being misled or deceived, which Samvara uses in attempts to destroy Prahlada.[41]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) A state of misconception leading to the perception of enemies in the external world.[42]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) A false belief or judgement, which prevents a true connection of the Self to the objective world.[43] (2) A state that causes the Reality to appear variously despite being One, leading to the perception of multiple forms and attributes.[44] (3) A state of confusion or misunderstanding in which the individual does not see reality clearly, leading to false identifications.[45] (4) A false belief or misleading perception that inhibits clear understanding.[46] (5) A misunderstanding or misperception that leads one to see separateness in what is fundamentally unified, as highlighted in the discussion.[47]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The false impression or misunderstanding that leads a person to regard the body as a reflection of their true self.[48]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) A state of confusion or misunderstanding about the true nature of reality.[49]
From: Mandukya Upanishad
(1) Deluded describes those who are misled by their attachments to separate identities and concepts, failing to realize the underlying unity of existence.[50]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The false belief that leads to misidentification with the physical body, obscuring the realization of one's true nature as Brahman.[51]
From: Prem Sagar (English translation)
(1) The state of Nanda Jee's mind, wherein he perceives Krishna merely as his son.[52] (2) The magical illusion created by Krishna to transport the cowherds' children and their cows safely into a fig tree forest.[53] (3) A magical illusion created by Shri Krishna to confuse Brahma regarding the true nature of the cowherds' children and calves.[54] (4) The misunderstanding and limited perception Yashoda has about Krishna's true form and identity.[55]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) A state of confusion or misunderstanding, considered one of the six enemies that detracts from clarity in spiritual pursuits.[56]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) A state in which individuals mistakenly perceive reality, leading them to misunderstand their relationship with Krishna.[57]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Refers to a state of mind that can result in false testimony, stemming from misinterpretation or mistaken beliefs.[58] (2) The state of misunderstanding or misinterpreting Dharma, often resulting in wrongful actions.[59]
From: Mudrarakshasa (literary study)
(1) A state of misunderstanding or misconception that leads individuals astray from their tasks or moral responsibilities.[60]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) A misinterpretation or faulty perception that arises from the influence of the observer's thinking principles and emotional states.[61]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) The sense of misunderstanding or illusion, particularly in how Cupid views Krishna.[62]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) The state of being misled, which can be avoided through wisdom and anatomical knowledge.[63]
Jain concept of 'Delusion'
In Jainism, Delusion signifies a distorted perception of reality, leading to ignorance and false beliefs that hinder spiritual progress, disrupt harmony, and cloud judgment, ultimately preventing individuals from achieving true understanding and liberation.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The state of being deceived or misled, which caused Kapila to come to earth.[64] (2) A state of misunderstanding or ignorance about the transitory nature of life, recognized as an enemy to spiritual progress in the insights shared by the munis.[65] (3) A state that Jamali experienced, leading him to separate from the teachings of the Blessed One.[66] (4) The state of ignorance that causes the characters to fail to recognize their relationships in past lives.[67] (5) A metaphorical 'bad weather' representing confusion and ignorance in the context of spiritual development.[68]
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) A state of being misled or confused, which may lead to the occurrence of transgressions.[69] (2) The self that is misled by karma, especially due to false belief.[70] (3) A state of mind that can cause one to speak falsehoods and disrupt domestic harmony.[71]
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) A false belief or impression that can cloud judgment and lead one away from the truth.[72] (2) A state of misjudgment or ignorance that prevents individuals from recognizing the truth of their actions and existence.[73] (3) Misconceptions or false beliefs that cloud judgment and hinder spiritual progress.[74]
From: Yogadrstisamuccaya of Haribhadra Suri (Study)
(1) The belief or perception that clouds the true understanding of knowables, leading to attachment and subsequent suffering.[75] (2) A major hindrance in spiritual progress, often highlighted in Jainism as 'mithyatva', which disrupts an aspirant's journey.[76] (3) A misperception leading the soul to believe it is impure and bound by worldly existence.[77]
From: Acaranga-sutra
(1) A misunderstanding or misperception of reality that leads to ignorance and suffering.[78] (2) A state of being misled by false beliefs or attachments, preventing individuals from achieving true understanding or liberation.[79]
From: Sutrakritanga (English translation)
(1) A distorted perception of reality, often leading individuals away from the path of enlightenment, characterized by ignorance or misunderstanding.[80]
The concept of Delusion in local and regional sources
Delusion pertains to the acceptance of falsehoods, emphasizing a departure from reality, in contrast to Maaya's relative truths. This highlights the psychological aspect of detachment from authentic perceptions and experiences.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Delusion is related to indulging in falsehoods, contrasting with the relative truths of Maaya.[81]
The concept of Delusion in scientific sources
Delusion pertains to firmly held false beliefs that remain unchanged despite contradictory evidence, frequently observed in psychotic disorders and psychiatric conditions, where individuals may believe in extraordinary attributes or perceive threats from others.
From: International Ayurvedic Medical Journal
(1) Firmly held false beliefs that persist despite evidence to the contrary, often found in Atatvabhinivesha and various psychotic disorders.[82] (2) False beliefs commonly seen in psychiatric conditions, such as believing that the baby has special attributes or that harm is being inflicted by others.[83]
From: Ayushdhara journal
(1) A belief exhibited by the patient, indicating a distorted perception of reality, which can contribute to his anxiety about health.[84]
From: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
(1) A false belief that is strongly held despite evidence to the contrary; in the context of De Clerambault's syndrome, it specifically refers to the belief one is loved by another.[85]