초기불교의 번뇌

Abstract

It was said that the Gotama Buddha only taught suffering and the cessation of suffering. The teaching of Four Noble truth and 12 chains of Dependent-origination are the explanation of the structure of suffering and the methodology to eliminate suffering. Craving(taṇhā) is the cause of suffering in the teaching of Four Noble truth and Ignorance(avijjā), craving(taṇhā), and grasping(upādāna) are the defilements which cause suffering in the 12 chains of Dependent-origination. In this article, I investigated the defilements as the causes of suffering, including ignorance and craving. The representing terms of defilements are āsava(influx), akusala(unskilful, unwholesome), kilesa(defilement, impurity), upakkilesa(minor defilement), mala(dirt, impurity), anusaya(latent disposition), nīvaraṇa(hindrance) saṃyojana(fetter), māra(-senā)(demon, army of demon), bandhana(bondage), ogha(flood), micchatta(wrongness). These many terms which mean defilement are overlapped. I examine the kind, category, and mutual relationship of defilements in the Early Buddhist scriptures. The fundamental defilements are three roots of unwholesomeness or three poisons which are greed, hatred, and ignorance. Among these three defilements, ignorance is the most fundamental. However, ignorance is mutual conditioning to other three defilements(three āsava : sensual desire, craving to existence, and ignorance). The final defilement is ignorance which becomes eradicated at the stage of Arhatship. We could find out this fact through the teaching of ten fetters. In the Early Buddhism, these defilements should be well understood. To overcome these defilements, We follow the eightfold noble path which is comprised of the sīla(morality), samādhi(concentration), and paññā(wisdom). Finally, we will be able to eradicate whole defilements which related to bodily, verbal and mental three actions.