Illusion: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Illusion means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
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In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Illusions (and Magic) were traditionally practiced as part of the “sixty four kinds of Art”, according to the Kamasutra of Vatsyayana.—Cf. the Sanskrit Aindrajāla.—Indian tradition, basically includes sixty four Art forms are acknowledged. The history of Indian Art covers approximately five thousand years which presents a rich and almost continuous record. The references of sixty four kinds of Kala (कला, kalā) are found in the Bhagavatapurana, Shaiva-Tantras, Kamasutra of Vatsyayana etc.
The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Illusion (or Ignorance, Stupidity) refers to one of the “Three Poisons” which are known in Tibetan as nyon mongs.—Accordingly, the delusions (Tibetan: nyon mongs; Sanskrit: kleśa) are also translated as “afflictions” or “defilements” and represent the fundamental negative factors that, along with karma, serve to keep sentient beings in their samsaric condition and must be uprooted for liberation to occur. Lists of delusions are manifold, and range from the so-called three poisons [e.g., illusion], to the twenty deluded mental factors specified in abhidharma, to symbolically potent but nonspecific references to 84,000 delusions.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text (+1608): Maya, Mahamaya, Avidya, Ajnana, Indrajala, Vivarta, Bhranti, Mayavada, Pratibhasa, Svapnaprapanca, Atimaya, Samshcat, Vismapana, Nirmoha, Hera, Avaranashakti, Mohaniya, Bhrama, Bhutasrishti, Meng huan.
Relevant text
Search found 411 books and stories containing Illusion; (plurals include: Illusions). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
Rajju Sarpa Bhranti - A Metaphysical Analysis of Visual Illusions in Light of... < [Vol. 7 No. 5 (2022)]
An approach to Manasa Pareeksha < [Vol. 5 No. 05 (2020)]
Role of Meditation in Mind Illness - A Conceptual Study < [Vol. 5 No. 04 (2020)]
A comparative study between Buddhism and Nyaya (by Roberta Pamio)
6. Nature of Illusion < [Chapter 1 - The Nature and Criterion of Knowledge]
5.3. Dharmakīrti’s Definition of Perception < [Chapter 3 - The Buddhist Theory of Perception]
2. Vasubandhu and His Works < [Chapter 3 - The Buddhist Theory of Perception]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 4 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 3 - The World as Illusion < [Chapter XXIX-XXX - Controversy Between the Dualists and the Monists]
Part 7 - The theory of Avidyā refuted < [Chapter XXIX-XXX - Controversy Between the Dualists and the Monists]
Part 5 - Eschatology < [Chapter XXIV - The Bhāgavata-purāṇa]
Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
Chapter XLIII - On Bodhisattva Kasyapa (d) < [Section Nine]
Chapter VII - On the Four Aspects < [Section One]
Chapter XIV - On the Parable of the Birds < [Section Two]
Tattvasangraha [with commentary] (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 1315-1320 < [Chapter 17 - Examination of the Definition of Sense-perception]
Verse 1313-1314 < [Chapter 17 - Examination of the Definition of Sense-perception]
Verse 282 < [Chapter 7 - Doctrine of the Self (ātman, ‘soul’)]
The Ministering Critic: Kierkegaard’s Theology of Communication < [Volume 11, Issue 1 (2020)]
A Narrowing Place: Responsive Spirituality < [Volume 15, Issue 8 (2024)]
The Sacred in the Mud < [Volume 16, Issue 4 (2025)]
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