Significance of Egoism
Egoism is a critical concept across various philosophical and spiritual traditions, signifying an excessive sense of self that obstructs spiritual progress and leads to suffering. In Buddhism, Jainism, and Hindu philosophies like Vedanta and Yoga, egoism manifests as self-centeredness that distorts personal identity and hinders enlightenment. This attachment to one's individual sense creates illusions of separation from the universal spirit, highlighting the need to overcome egoism for true realization and unity with a higher existence. Understanding and transcending egoism is essential in achieving spiritual growth and enlightenment.
Synonyms: Selfishness, Self-interest, Egotism, Narcissism, Self-centeredness, Self-absorption
In Swedish: Egoism; In Dutch: ·¡²µ´Çï²õ³¾±ð; In Finnish: Egoismi; In Spanish: ·¡²µ´Çòõ³¾´Ç; In German: Egoismus; In Malay: Egoisme; In French: ɲµ´Çï²õ³¾±ð
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Egoism'
Egoism in Buddhism, or Sakkaya Ditthi, signifies a misguided attachment to self-identity, resulting in suffering and obstructing spiritual advancement, thus hindering virtuous living and progress on the path to enlightenment.
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) Referred to as Sakkaya Ditthi, the wrong view of identity that attaches to the notion of self, which leads to suffering.[1]
From: The Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King (A Life of Buddha)
(1) The excessive sense of self that obstructs spiritual progress, highlighted as a hindrance to virtuous living.[2]
Hindu concept of 'Egoism'
Egoism in Hinduism is viewed as a mental construct that fosters individuality and separation from the universal essence, leading to misunderstanding one's true nature and hindering spiritual enlightenment due to attachment to self-identity and self-importance.
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The tendency to see oneself as distinct or separate from the unity of existence.[3] (2) The self-centered perspective and desires that bind an individual to worldly attachments and ignorance.[4] (3) The belief in the importance of one's ego, leading to misperception of reality.[5] (4) The sense of self-importance or individualism that can hinder a person’s ability to connect with the larger existence and suppress desires.[6] (5) The belief or attachment to the self that creates the illusion of reality, compared to clouds causing rain.[7]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A state of self-importance where one performs actions with expectation, often leading to attachment and delusion.[8] (2) The cause of worldly life, linking the self to the perception of existence.[9] (3) A development that emerges from Mahat and is associated with the individual sense of self.[10]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) The sense of individuality and separation from the greater whole, which can hinder spiritual realization.[11] (2) The consciousness of self-importance that diminishes in the presence of true devotion and love for the divine.[12]
From: Anugita (English translation)
(1) A state of being characterized by the awareness of self, which is acknowledged as the second creation.[13]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) Characterized by a sense of self, egoism refers to the personal sense of identity attributed to Jiva.[14] (2) A state of self-centeredness or identification with the individual self, which hinders true understanding of one's divine nature.[15] (3) A modification of the Buddhi that emphasizes self-identity and individualism, impacting the agent's consciousness.[16] (4) A strong sense of self that is difficult to destroy, which even wise men cannot suddenly eliminate once it becomes powerful.[17] (5) The sense of self or individuality, which is also portrayed as unreal.[18]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The attachment to the self or personal identity that is seen as an obstacle in the pursuit of higher truth and liberation.[19]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) The mistaken belief that one is both the enjoyer and the intelligent, arising from the identification with the internal organ despite its lack of true enjoyment and intelligence.[20] (2) Egoism is identified as the source where the thinking principle enters as it completes its course.[21] (3) A state of self-centeredness in perception, where the perceiver’s perspective can overshadow the actual nature of the perceivable.[22] (4) A focus on oneself that distorts perception and can lead to the identification with the body rather than the true self.[23] (5) The original cause from which thinking principles derive, acting as a fundamental aspect of the self in the context of Yogic practices.[24]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) Egoism is another affliction that arises from nescience and is described as an attachment to the self, reinforcing individual identity and separation.[25] (2) A self-centered perspective that arises from the mistaken identity of self with the unreal.[26] (3) The consciousness of being one with the self, serving as a subtle cause for instrumental powers.[27]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) The self-centered attachment to the self, commentated extensively in the context of the stories of Rutra.[28] (2) The self-centeredness of consciousness that drives the perception of the external world.[29] (3) A concept presented by Rabindranath Tagore indicating the personal price paid for the existence of the self, tied to the desire for being.[30]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The sense of self-importance and ownership that must be abandoned to achieve true neutrality.[31]
Jain concept of 'Egoism'
In Jainism, Egoism signifies a self-centered mindset that monks must overcome to attain spiritual enlightenment, emphasizing the importance of transcending personal desires and attachments for spiritual growth and liberation.
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) A self-centered attitude that a monk should transcend to achieve spiritual enlightenment.[32]
The concept of Egoism in local and regional sources
Egoism represents a key obstacle to spiritual growth in the Gita, embodying self-centeredness that obstructs enlightenment. It manifests as Ahamkara, influencing actions, and intertwining with Mahat, reflecting ignorance and attachment to self-interests.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This is the identification of the seer with the instrument of seeing, and the Self with the instruments, and is a form of ignorance.[33] (2) This is the Ahamkara, the self-consciousness, which reacts to impressions, as mentioned in the text.[34] (3) Egoism is a feeling that accompanies the conscious plane, where a person is aware of their actions, but it is absent in the unconscious plane.[35] (4) This is a quality that, when present, makes any deficiency in taking corrective actions be seen as laziness, which is both a mistake and a form of culpability.[36] (5) This comes out of Mahat, according to the text, and it changes into two varieties, which are the organs and the Tanmatras.[37]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) The practice of prioritizing oneself and one’s own interests, from which Niloba remained detached.[38]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The significant obstacle in spiritual growth identified in the Gita, where self-centeredness hinders progress towards enlightenment.[39]