Four obscurations Page

Image:Skycloudsun.jpg|thumb|350px|The sun covered by clouds, a common metaphor for [[buddha nature obscured by the obscurations]]Four obscurations (Tib. dribpa shyi; Wyl. sgrib pa bzhi). There are four obscurations that hinder us from realizing our true nature. They are:
*karmic obscurations,
*emotional obscurations,
*cognitive obscurations and
*habitual obscurations.

Commentary

Yukhok Chatralwa Chöying Rangdrol says:

:Karmic obscurations include naturally negative actions and infringements of vows.

:Emotional obscurations were defined by Lord Maitreya as:

::Any thought involving avarice and so on
::Is held to be an emotional obscuration.

:Any thought involving avarice, lack of ethical discipline and so on, which impedes the pure enactment of the six paramitas|transcendent perfections, is held to be an emotional obscuration.

:Regarding cognitive obscurations, Lord Maitreya says:

::Any thought involving subject, object and action,
::Is held to be a cognitive obscuration.

:Any thought involving the three conceptual spheres of subject, object and action, which impedes the complete accomplishment of the transcendent perfections, is held to be a cognitive obscuration.

:The habitual obscurations are explained according to the sutras as extremely subtle forms of cognitive obscuration, like the scent left behind in a container which once held musk. In the mantra tradition, they are the habitual tendencies of the transference of the three appearances, which are to be overcome by vajra-like primordial wisdom.

:What do these four kinds of obscuration obscure?
::Naturally negative actions obscure the temporary attainment of the three higher realms|higher realms.
::Infringements of vows obscure the temporary attainment of the higher realms and the ultimate attainment of the three kinds of enlightenment.
::Emotional obscurations obscure liberation.
::Cognitive obscurations and habitual obscurations obscure the level of omniscience.

Four obscurations Page

Commentary

Further Reading