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Avidyā (Sanskrit) or avijjā (Pāli) means "ignorance" or "delusion" and is the opposite of 'vidyā' (Sanskrit) and 'rig pa' (Wylie). It is used extensively in Buddhist texts.
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The word is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *weid-, meaning "to see" or "to know". It is a cognate or Latin vidēre and English "wit".
Avidyā plays a key role in Buddhism and Buddhist doctrine and is the primary cause of suffering in saṃsāra.
As one of the kleśas, Avidyā leads to craving (tṛṣṇā) and clinging (upādāna). As the first link of Pratitya-Samutpada, all other links depend on it. As the first spoke on the Bhavacakra, all subsequent states follow in its wake.
Avidyā is a lack of knowing, and can be associated with intention. Avidyā has three aspects as associated with the three kinds of vedanā (sensation), four aspects as the ignorance of the Four Noble Truths, and five aspects as masking the five destinies (see : Samsāra). Avidyā has six aspects as associated with any of the six doors, the six senses (see: Ṣaḍāyatana).
The antidote to avidyā is "wisdom" (Skt.: prajñā; Pali: pañña). This is achieved by practicing awareness/mindfulness (Pali: sati, Skt: smṛti), patient endurance (Skt: kṣānti; Pali: khanti) and meditation (Skt: dhyāna), all three of which are incorporated in the pan-Buddhist practices of the Noble Eightfold Path and the pāramitās ("perfections").
Daniel Goleman: Vital Lies, Simple Truths: The Psychology of Self Deception (1985) Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-0747534136
| Preceded by Jarāmaraṇa |
Twelve Nidānas Avidyā |
Succeeded by Saṃskāra |
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