Recognition of Ignorance on a Topic

score:1

Accepted answer

These suttas might be relevant to what you're asking about:

I think that what the OP is describing is not "ignorance" -- it's describing not getting attached to views, not getting into arguments about views.

The second statement in the OP, i.e. "communicate how my limited understanding connects to things I believe in", might be related to dharma being something you should "see (or know) for yourself".

Also (in a different way from the suttas above) I think that this answer is a description of living with ... let's call it "uncertainty" rather than "ignorance".

Upvote:0

You are concerned about the cup of water you are holding (ignorance on a particular topic, and your reaction to seeing your ignorance of that) when you are standing in the ocean up to your neck (ignorance - the basic condition for existence until enlightened).

The Upanisa Sutta lists the Supporting Conditions for enlightenment, and at the very bottom - the fundamental condition - is Ignorance. This word comes from the word Gnosis: to know. So ignorance simply means, to not know. There is nothing shameful or embarrassing about that, we are all born that way. So, it is not bad or blameworthy, it just means: get some knowledge.

You can never know everything, so there will ever be "ignorance on a particular topic", but you are not called to know everything, you must only know how to run your own life: how to have equanimity and balance, and to respond skillfully. (That wasn't so dreadful, now was it?)

Enlightenment is not so incredibly high a bar; stop thinking it is far off. Like awakeness when you are asleep. You will get there inevitably. Then the ocean will be drained and you can walk across.

Upvote:1

I heard a talk recently in which a Zen master said ignorance in Buddhism really meant a lack of awareness of the mind (i.e. letting it wander in stories and daydreams), rather than the normal meaning of ignorance.

I don't know if this is orthodox Buddhism (or orthodox Zen for that matter), but it makes more sense to me than interpreting 'ignorance' as factual ignorance.

Upvote:1

Ignorance is a bad word, a bad translation. Avija means "state of not knowing". Just like you said. We are all identifying unless we are enlightened or something. Do you mean that you are aware of what you don't know? Like seeing things as they are + the '"not knowing"? .. with practice, the "not knowing" will slowly leave. I hope I understood you correctly- Metta

Upvote:1

Avijjā / Moha in refers to not knowing the Three marks of existence at the experiential. It is not necessarily being ignorant about the subject matter may it being even a Buddhist theory.

Also one way the Buddhist practice can be viewed as is: pariyatti (theory), patipatti (practice), pativedha (experience / verification). Hence it is vital to learn the theories and it is this which will be validated and verified through the practice. More you need knowledge gaps try your best to learn and fill them.

Also do not let you mind get disturbed due to any knowledge gaps. Be equanimous, than being jubilant, develop ego, when you know more and let down when you know less.

More post

Search Posts

Related post