Significance of Klesha
Klesha, in Buddhism, refers to afflictive emotions and mental states that lead individuals away from virtue and contribute to suffering. These include ignorance, attachment, and aversion, which obscure judgment and hinder spiritual progress. Kleshas are seen as the root causes of negative behaviors and emotional disturbances, creating obstacles to enlightenment. Understanding and overcoming these mental afflictions is essential for spiritual development, as they bind beings to the cycle of samsara and obstruct the realization of one's true nature.
Synonyms: Affliction, Suffering, Misfortune, Distress, Hardship, Woe, Pain, Torment, Anguish
In Dutch: Klesha
In Finnish: Klesha
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Klesha'
Klesha, in Buddhism, refers to mental afflictions or emotional disturbances such as ignorance, attachment, and aversion that hinder understanding and obstruct the path to enlightenment, ultimately causing suffering and binding individuals to samsara.
From: The Great Chariot
(1) Mental afflictions or disturbances that occur when an object is grasped and subsequently analyzed.[1] (2) Kleshas are mental afflictions or emotions that perturb the mind, contributing to the accumulation of karma and designating actions as good or bad.[2] (3) Afflictions or defilements of the mind that lead to suffering, often highlighted in Buddhist teachings.[3] (4) Afflictive emotions or mental poisons that disturb one's mental clarity and understanding, contributing to negative behaviors.[4] (5) The afflictions or mental states that cause suffering, which the guru helps to calm and render harmless.[5]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The Buddhist term for afflictive emotions or disturbances in the mind that lead to suffering and hinder enlightenment.[6] (2) Refers to the mental states that cloud the mind and lead to suffering and dissatisfaction.[7] (3) Mental afflictions or defilements that disturb one's mind and hinder enlightenment.[8] (4) Mental afflictions or obstacles that the Uruvilvakashyapa and his followers freed themselves from through the Buddha's teachings.[9] (5) Mental afflictions or passions that the bodhisattva has overcome.[10]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) Afflictions or defilements that cause suffering and hinder spiritual progress, which must be overcome on the path to salvation.[11] (2) Refers to mental defilements or afflictive emotions that hinder one's spiritual progress, which the Bodhisattva aids others in overcoming.[12] (3) Afflictive emotions or mental states that cause suffering.[13] (4) Obstacles or afflictions that hinder spiritual development, typically associated with negative mental states and attachments.[14]
From: The 6th Patriarch Platform Sutra
(1) Defilements or mental afflictions that obstruct the path to enlightenment, which must be transcended.[15] (2) Defilements or impurities of the mind that hinder spiritual development.[16] (3) Defilements or negative mental states that obstruct enlightenment, often addressed in Buddhist teachings.[17]
From: The Six Yogas of Naropa
(1) The afflictive emotions or negative mental states that obstruct an individual's spiritual growth and insight.[18]
Hindu concept of 'Klesha'
Klesha in Hinduism embodies the afflictions of the mind—ignorance, egoism, attachment, and aversion—that impede spiritual progress. These five distresses, identified by Patanjali, are viewed as fundamental causes of human suffering and obstacles to enlightenment.
From: Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
(1) Disturbances or afflictions of the mind that affect the purusha’s experience and spiritual progress.[19] (2) Afflictions or obstacles to enlightenment, such as ignorance (avidya), that impact the functioning of the mind.[20] (3) The five afflictions that create suffering and obstacles on the spiritual path, which include avidya, asmita, raga, dvesha, and abhinivesha.[21] (4) Kleshas are the afflictions and impurities of the mind that cause misery; they are seen as the root causes of pain and sorrow in the spiritual journey.[22] (5) The afflictions or mental disturbances that are considered inherent causes of human suffering.[23]
From: Prasthanatrayi Swaminarayan Bhashyam (Study)
(1) Afflictions or impurities of the mind that hinder spiritual realization and must be overcome.[24]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Defined by Patanjali as that which causes misery to the Jivas, including various forms like Avidya, Asmita, Raga, Dvesha, and Abhinivesa.[25]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Refers to the passions and afflictive emotions that hinder one's spiritual progress.[26]
From: Linga Purana
(1) The five distresses—Avidya, Asmita, Raga, Dvesha, and Abhinivesha—that serve as bonds for the souls.[27]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) Obstacles or afflictions (Ignorance, Egoism, Affection, Aversion, Attachment) that hinder spiritual progress.[28]
The concept of Klesha in scientific sources
Klesha signifies psychological disorders impacting Manas, as delineated by Patanjali. These include ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and desire for life, highlighting key afflictions that hinder mental clarity and spiritual growth.
From: AYU (Journal of Research in Ayurveda)
(1) Psychological disorders or afflictions affecting Manas, as identified by Patanjali, which include ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and desire for life.[29]