Significance of Doubt
Synonyms: Hesitation, Skepticism, Mistrust, Suspicion, Indecision, Disbelief
In Spanish: Duda; In Dutch: Twijfel; In Finnish: Epäillä; In German: Zweifeln; In Swedish: Tvivel; In Malay: Keraguan; In French: Doute
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Doubt'
In Buddhism, doubt is a pivotal hindrance obstructing mental clarity and spiritual progress due to uncertainty about teachings, practices, and one's path, manifesting as a klesha that creates significant obstacles to achieving insight and enlightenment.
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) A mental condition that can hinder decisiveness and is excluded from certain types of conscious experience.[1] (2) A mental hindrance that can be suspended during the deep concentration achieved in Jhana.[2] (3) A state of uncertainty about beliefs or actions, leading to confusion and hesitation.[3]
From: Cetasikas
(1) This may arise because of worry and concern about observing the rules of the Vinaya.[4] (2) A hindrance characterized by uncertainty about the teachings of the Buddha, which obstructs nurturing understanding.[5]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules)
(1) A state of uncertainty that can lead to different consequences based on the monk's decision regarding the nature of the sleeping-room.[6]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) A state of uncertainty regarding spiritual truths, teachings, or one's practice that creates obstacles to progress.[7]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (2): Bhikkhuni-vibhanga (the analysis of Nun’ rules)
(1) The uncertainty regarding whether the robe has been given up or not, which affects the ruling on the behaviour of the nun.[8]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) The uncertainty experienced by monks regarding the appropriateness of inviting others.[9]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Uncertainty regarding one's path and practices, forming part of Mara's Seventh Army, which hinders progress.[10]
From: Guide to Tipitaka
(1) This is one of the five hindrances that must be overcome through meditation, obstructing mental clarity and focus, hindering spiritual progress.[11]
From: Dhammapada (translated from the Pali)
(1) These are associated with strong passions and yearning for what is delightful, and when a man is tossed about by them, his thirst grows.[12]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Doubt, known as vicikitsa, is the seventh army of Mara, indicating uncertainty and wavering conviction.[13] (2) This is a klesha of inner attachment, and it is a component of the afflictions that can cause suffering, and the bodhisattvas destroy all these passions in themselves by all kinds of means.[14] (3) Vicikitsa; uncertainties or hesitations about beliefs and practices that can hinder one's spiritual progress.[15] (4) The state of uncertainty concerning the existence of nirvana.[16] (5) A lack of conviction or uncertainty regarding meditation practices, considered another obstacle to achieving a meditative state.[17]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) A mental state of uncertainty regarding beliefs or teachings, particularly in relation to the nature of reality.[18]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) A hindrance that creates uncertainty and can impede one's commitment to the spiritual path.[19]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) These are uncertainties that arise when considering the nature of cognisability, such as whether things are momentary or knowable by an omniscient person.[20] (2) Doubt emerges when there is a lack of apprehension, particularly in the case of the omniscient person and other things, leading to questions regarding the certainty of their existence or non-existence.[21] (3) An uncertainty regarding a fact or concept, specifically referenced in the form of the term ‘Areka’ in Kamalashila’s commentary.[22]
Hindu concept of 'Doubt'
In Hinduism, Doubt encompasses uncertainties about the Self, beliefs, and reality, affecting dedication and practice. It signifies vacillation in understanding truth, requiring careful contemplation to overcome and achieve clarity and conviction.
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) This is the specific concern or uncertainty that the speaker wishes to have addressed and resolved through the information provided.[23] (2) The feeling that was not present when the gopas heard the information about the son, indicating a belief.[24] (3) A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction about Radha's status, which the speaker claims to have overcome.[25] (4) A feeling of uncertainty, which the text assures does not apply to the attainment of Krishna.[26] (5) The certainty expressed regarding the inevitability of the separation due to the curse.[27]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) The text emphasizes that one should not have any uncertainty regarding the importance of residing in Vaikuntha and that this should be a firmly established belief.[28] (2) The uncertainty experienced by individuals, particularly regarding their ability to maintain dedication amidst obstacles.[29]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) A feeling of uncertainty that requires careful attention from individuals to understand the truth revealed by Lord Gaura.[30]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) This is one of the three concepts that cannot occur in relation to the knower, as they are directly present before the Witness-consciousness, suggesting it is not a factor for those with this awareness.[31] (2) A lack of uncertainty about the instruction provided in the translation, which concerns the collection of food.[32] (3) Doubts are clarified by the disciple, and the questions are asked with the aim of clarifying the uncertainties they have regarding the instruction received.[33] (4) A state of uncertainty or indecision regarding an object's nature or existence.[34]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) This is something that the word 'but' discards in the discussion of the superintending deities, indicating a clarification or resolution in the argument.[35] (2) A state of uncertainty regarding whether the individual soul is produced from Brahman or exists independently and eternally.[36]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) Questions or uncertainties regarding the nature of the Self and its relation to the physical world.[37]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) Uncertainty or lack of conviction concerning one's beliefs or the nature of reality.[38]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) A cognitive uncertainty that arises when a person perceives similar properties in two distinct objects but fails to recognize their distinctive features, leading to a pondering question of which object is being perceived.[39] (2) A cognitive state that involves uncertainty between two recognized objects, characterized by the remembrance of their peculiar traits.[40]
From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha
(1) A state of knowledge characterized by uncertainty caused by lack of distinctive attributes or conflicting evidence.[41]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Refers to the uncertainty regarding the paternity and maternity of the child when either the man or the woman is absent.[42]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This keyword refers to the state of uncertainty or lack of conviction, which is considered an aspect of the twelfth house in astrological judgments, as explained in the given text.[43]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) A destructive force that undermines virtue and wealth, creating a significant barrier to personal growth.[44]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) A disposition of the thinking principle that vacillates between both sides of a question, affecting the practice of Yoga.[45]
The concept of Doubt in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Doubt" embodies an adversary to progress and unity, exemplified by Jaitpal's wife's uncertainties regarding Tulsidas's promises, while also highlighting how spiritual guidance can resolve such uncertainties among devotees.
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) Questions or uncertainties that were alleviated through the spiritual instruction received by the devotees.[46] (2) The uncertainty expressed by Jaitpal's wife regarding the blessings and future promised by Tulsidas.[47]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) An enemy that hinders progress and creates barriers to understanding and unity among humanity.[48]