Significance of Impurities
The keyphrase "Impurities" is understood differently across various spiritual traditions. In Tibetan Buddhism, Impurities encompass personal flaws, unwanted energies, and distorted perceptions that detract from enlightenment. Purana describes it as general defects in language, spiritual contaminants for cleansing rituals, and aspects that need avoidance, notably for higher castes. In Yoga and Vedanta, Impurities obstruct enlightenment and diminish one's being. Mahayana emphasizes defilements hindering spiritual progress, while Theravada identifies internal stains affecting development. Overall, Impurities represent barriers to purity and enlightenment in spiritual practice.
Synonyms: Contaminants, Blemishes, Irregularities, Foreign matter
In Dutch: Onzuiverheden; In Finnish: Saastuminen; In Spanish: Impurezas; In German: Verunreinigung
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Impurities'
In Buddhism, 鈥淚mpurities鈥� encompass negative mental states and defilements that obstruct clarity, ethical progress, and enlightenment. They include personal attachments, biases, and qualities that must be transcended for spiritual growth and the realization of Buddha-Nature.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Refers to the negative aspects or defilements in individuals that the Buddha states he has eradicated.[1] (2) Conditions that lead to a state of defilement, as applied metaphorically to the body.[2] (3) Negative mental defilements that affect one鈥檚 mind and perceptions, categorized into lust impurity, existence impurity, and ignorance impurity.[3] (4) Unwanted attachments or defilements that arise from misperceptions of reality.[4] (5) This term refers to the negative states or qualities that a bodhisattva must overcome to achieve true wisdom.[5]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) The negative thoughts and actions that cloud the mind and prevent individuals from realizing their Buddha-Nature.[6]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) These are explained by implicit scriptures, in contrast to the purification promoted by explicit scriptures, revealing the contrast between the two types of teachings.[7]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) Negative traits or states of mind that contaminate ethical progress and spiritual development.[8] (2) The ten 'Impurities' refer to various negative states of mind or qualities that hinder mental development and clarity.[9] (3) Objects of meditation that help practitioners focus on cleansing the mind, associated with the initial stages of jhana attainment.[10]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The internal stains or defilements that hinder spiritual development.[11]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The flaws or negative aspects associated with personal attachments and desires, detracting from a pure state of being or understanding.[12] (2) Distortions or biases in perception that can cloud the understanding of universal truths and specific individualities.[13]
Hindu concept of 'Impurities'
In Hinduism, impurities encompass physical and spiritual contaminants, misconceptions hindering enlightenment, and specific negative qualities. They also represent unclean excretions and defects that necessitate cleansing rituals to achieve purity and spiritual readiness.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Contaminants such as urine, ordure, blood, and semen that necessitate immediate and thorough cleansing of sacrificial vessels.[14] (2) Various states and conditions that are considered unclean and render a person unfit for engaging in Vedic study.[15] (3) A term summarizing the twelve excretions from the body which are considered unclean when they leave the physical form.[16]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) Objects or actions that are considered forbidden or polluting, impacting one's spiritual and physical state.[17]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Negative states that can be removed by listening to, reading, or remembering the accounts related to the holy centres.[18]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) Those elements that contaminate or diminish the state of being; moksha is described as free from such impurities.[19]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The distractions and misconceptions that cloud judgment and understanding, hindering the path to enlightenment.[20]
The concept of Impurities in local and regional sources
Impurities are substances identified when salt is mixed with burning alcohol, resulting in a black precipitate. This process highlights the chemical reactions that occur, unveiling unwanted materials present in the alcohol.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) This refers to the substances that are revealed when salt is added to burning alcohol and a black precipitate appears.[21]