Significance of Nescience
Nescience, as defined across various spiritual traditions, primarily refers to ignorance or lack of awareness that obscures an individual's understanding of reality and their true nature. In Jainism, it causes mental impurities before purification through yoga. In Buddhism, it leads to misperception and wrong cognition. Vaishnavism emphasizes that nescience results in bondage and spiritual misconceptions. Similarly, Vedanta associates nescience with the delusion that prevents realization of the ultimate reality, Brahman. Overall, nescience is recognized as a fundamental barrier to spiritual growth and liberation.
Synonyms: Ignorance, Lack of knowledge, Unawareness
In Finnish: Nescience; In Dutch: Onwetendheid; In Spanish: Ignorancia
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Nescience'
Nescience in Buddhism signifies ignorance and illusion that distort true understanding, resulting in incorrect perceptions and influencing actions, ultimately affecting one’s consciousness and spiritual awakening. It underscores the necessity of knowledge for clarity and enlightenment.
From: Patthanuddesa Dipani
(1) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that influences one's actions and resultant states of consciousness.[1]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The state of ignorance or illusion that leads to wrong cognition, obscuring the true nature of non-objective forms.[2]
Hindu concept of 'Nescience'
Nescience in Hinduism signifies ignorance that hinders true knowledge of the self and Brahman. It is seen as the root of sin, suffering, and the cycle of reincarnation, emphasizing the need to overcome this ignorance for spiritual liberation.
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) A state of ignorance that prevents recognition of the non-dual nature of existence as suggested in the texts.[3] (2) Ignorance or misperception regarding the true nature of reality and the Self, leading to suffering.[4] (3) The root of all ignorance, often contrasted with the knowledgeable nature of Brahman.[5] (4) A state of ignorance or lack of knowledge that obscures one's understanding of the true nature of the Self.[6] (5) The ignorance that obscures the soul's true nature and bliss, only to be removed upon reaching enlightenment.[7]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) Lack of knowledge or awareness, particularly in relation to the understanding of the ultimate reality.[8] (2) A state of ignorance or unawareness that covers the mind, similar to how sedge covers water.[9] (3) A term referring to ignorance that obscures the true nature of Brahman, causing the misperception of change and limitation.[10] (4) The ignorance or lack of knowledge that binds individuals to the cycle of illusion, preventing the realization of the Self.[11] (5) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that conceals the true nature of the Self, similar to impurities that cloud water.[12]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Ignorance or unawareness (related to Maya) that obscures true understanding of Brahman’s nature and powers.[13] (2) Ignorance or lack of knowledge, particularly in relation to the understanding of Brahman.[14] (3) The state of ignorance that leads to the misconception of the separate existence of the Internal Ruler and the individual soul.[15] (4) Ignorance or illusion that veils the true understanding of Brahman and leads to the identification of the self with the body and mind.[16]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Ignorance or misunderstanding of reality, seen as the root cause of bondage in the cycle of births and rebirths.[17] (2) The ignorance that causes the Self to be attached to the physical body and the cycle of life.[18] (3) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that leads to the perception of duality and otherness in existence.[19]
From: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
(1) The ignorance or lack of knowledge associated with the material world and the cycle of existence (samsara).[20]
From: Kathopanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Obscurity and ignorance that obscure the true nature of individual souls and is removed upon attaining release or enlightenment.[21]
From: Ishavasya Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) The state of ignorance that prevents a person from attaining self-knowledge once they have experienced true understanding.[22]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The particular ignorance that causes the misunderstanding of the self and not-self, resulting in Egoism.[23] (2) Ignorance or lack of knowledge considered as the root cause of egoism and other mental afflictions.[24] (3) Nescience is the primary affliction referred to in the text, representing a form of Unreal Cognition that leads to misunderstanding and ignorance.[25] (4) Ignorance or lack of knowledge about the true nature of the Self and the distinctions between subjective and objective reality.[26] (5) Nescience refers to ignorance or a lack of knowledge, which gives rise to afflictions in the mind that can be removed through understanding.[27]
From: Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
(1) Nescience (avidya) represents a lack of knowledge or awareness of the true nature of reality.[28]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Ignorance or lack of knowledge, often seen as eliminated by the teachings found in the Shrimad Bhagavatam.[29] (2) Ignorance or lack of knowledge regarding one's relationship with the Supreme Lord, contributing to pride and misconceptions.[30] (3) Ignorance or lack of knowledge, particularly in a spiritual context, which prevents individuals from recognizing true reality.[31] (4) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that causes bondage in the material world.[32] (5) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that leads individuals to misidentify the self with the material body and experience suffering.[33]
From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya
(1) Ignorance or lack of spiritual knowledge, which keeps beings entangled in material existence.[34] (2) Ignorance or lack of knowledge regarding the true nature of reality, leading individuals away from spiritual truths.[35] (3) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that prevents souls from understanding their true nature and the divine.[36]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) A state of ignorance or lack of knowledge, particularly regarding the true nature of the self and the Supreme Lord.[37]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The ignorance or unawareness that leads to the misperception of reality as dualistic, contributing to the misunderstanding of existence.[38] (2) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that contributes to the perception of differentiation in reality.[39] (3) Ignorance or the state of being uninformed, from which all activity by the sages is produced and which is seen as secondary.[40] (4) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that restricts or limits the perception of jivas without affecting reality.[41] (5) Ignorance or lack of awareness that causes the manifestation of the Self as an external object.[42]
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) Ignorance or lack of knowledge that obscures true understanding, often leading to false identity.[43] (2) A concept that refers to ignorance or lack of knowledge that obscures the soul's true essence in the philosophical context of the text.[44] (3) State of ignorance that entangles the Jiva, contrasting with the knowledge of the Shiva or God.[45]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) Ignorance or misunderstanding that veils the truth of the self and the universe, blocking realization and liberation.[46] (2) Ignorance or lack of true knowledge, which is said to be the cause of sin and bondage.[47] (3) A state of ignorance that leads to suffering and the cycle of re-births, which the liberated Yogin transcends.[48]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The state of ignorance or misconception about the true nature of reality, from which beings seek liberation.[49]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Ignorance or a lack of awareness that can cause agitation and suffering, against which the Supreme Soul remains unaffected.[50]
Jain concept of 'Nescience'
In Jainism, Nescience symbolizes ignorance, which contributes to mental impurities. This lack of awareness obstructs spiritual progress, necessitating purification through yoga to achieve clarity and enlightenment.
From: Yogadrstisamuccaya of Haribhadra Suri (Study)
(1) Nescience refers to ignorance or unawareness, which is noted as a cause for the mind's impurities before purification through yoga.[51]