Vicikiccha, Vicikicchā: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Vicikiccha means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Vicikiccha in Theravada glossary
Source: Google Books: The Great Chronicle of Buddhas

Vicikiccha (विचिकिच्छ) refers to “wrong uncertainty” representing one of the seven anusayas (‘latent tendencies’).—The anusayas are defilements that have not been eradicated by magga-ñāṇa and are liable to arise perceptibly whenever circumstances prevail. These anusayas are of seven kinds. They are called the elements of latent tendencies.They are: (1) Kāmarāga-anusaya, the seed element of greed, (2) Bhavarāga-anusaya, the seed element of attachment to existence, (3) Paṭigha-anusaya, the seed element of hatred, (4) Māna-anusaya, the seed element of conceit, (5) Diṭṭhi-anusaya, the seed element of wrong view, (6) Vicikiccha-anusaya, the seed element of uncertainty, (7) Avijjā-anusaya, the seed element of bewilderment.

Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English Glossary

F (Doubt).

Source: Journey to Nibbana: Patthana Dhama

Suspicion;

There is another akusala cetasika in these 14 akusala cetasikas. It is vicikiccha cetasika. It is undecisiveness. It is suspicion. It is suspicion on dhamma, sangha, the Buddha, paticcasamuppada or dependent origination and the practice.

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

'sceptical doubt', is one of the 5 mental hindrances (nīvarana) and one of the 3 fetters (samyojana), which disappear for ever at Stream-entry, the first stage of holiness (s. ariya-puggala).

As a fetter, it refers to sceptical doubt about the Master (the Buddha), the Teaching, the Sangha, and the training; about things past and future, and conditionality (Dhs.1004; cf. A.X.71).

It also applies to uncertainty whether things are wholesome or not, to be practiced or not, of high or low value, etc.

According to Vis.M. XIV, 177, vicikicchā is the lack of desire to think (things out i.e. to come to a conclusion; vigata-cikicchā, desiderative to Ö cit, to think); it has the nature of wavering, and its manifestation is indecision and a divided attitude; its proximate cause is unwise attention to matters of doubt.

It is associated with one of the 2 classes of unwholesome consciousness rooted in delusion (Tab. I, No. 32). -

See also kankhā.

Source: Dhamma Study: Cetasikas

Vicikiccha or doubt is another akusala cetasika.

1. Doubt is another akusala dhamma which is a hindrance. Doubt about the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha, doubt about realities, all these kinds of doubt are a hindrance to the development of kusala, a hindrance to the development of right understanding. We need courage to continue to develop satipatthana, so that doubt can eventually be eradicated.

2. Vicikiccha is not the same as what we mean by doubt in conventional language. Vicikiccha is not doubt about someone's name or about the weather. Vicikiccha is doubt about realities, about nama and rupa, about cause and result, about the four noble Truths, about the "Dependant Origination".

One of the six Kamacchandas;

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Discover the meaning of vicikiccha in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Vicikiccha in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

vicikicchā : (f.) doubt; uncertainty.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Vicikicchā, (f.) (fr. vicikicchati) doubt, perplexity, uncertainty (one of the nīvaraṇas) D. I, 246; III, 49, 216, 234, 269; S. I, 99; III, 106 sq. (dhammesu v. doubt about the precepts); IV, 350; A. III, 292, 438; IV, 68, 144 sq.; V, 144; Sn. 343, 437, 540; Vv 81 (=soḷasa-vatthuka-vicikicchā VvA. 317); J. II, 266; Pug. 59; Vbh. 168, 341, 364; Dhs. 425; Nett 11; Tikp 108, 122, 152 sq. 171, 255, 275; Dukp 170 sq. 265 sq. 289 sq.; Vism. 471 (=vigatā cikicchā ti v. etc.), 599 sq.; VbhA. 209; VvA. 156; MA 116; Sdhp. 459.—As adj. (-°) vicikiccha, e.g. tiṇṇa° one who has overcome all doubt D. I, 71, 110; M. I, 18; A. II, 211; III, 92; 297 sq.; IV, 186; 210.—See also Cpd. 242; Dhs. trsl. § 425 n. 1; and cp. kathaṅkathā, kicchati, vecikicchin. (Page 615)

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Discover the meaning of vicikiccha in the context of Pali from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: