Kleśas (Skt.; Devanagari: क्लेश, Pāli: Kilesa, किलेस)
Kleśas, often translated as “afflictions,” “defilements,” or “mental impurities,” are the negative mental states that cause suffering and keep beings trapped in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsāra). In Buddhist philosophy, kleśas are seen as the root causes of human suffering and ignorance, obscuring the mind’s natural clarity and preventing one from attaining enlightenment (nirvāṇa).
The kleśas are deeply embedded in the human mind and manifest as destructive emotions, distorted views, and unwholesome tendencies. Overcoming or transforming these afflictions through meditation, ethical conduct, and wisdom is a central goal of Buddhist practice.
Key Types of Kleśas:
Lobha (Greed, Attachment): The desire for and attachment to pleasurable experiences, material possessions, or people. Greed leads to clinging, dissatisfaction, and the pursuit of transient pleasures, which ultimately cause suffering.Dveṣa (Hatred, Aversion): The emotional response of rejection or anger toward unpleasant experiences, people, or circumstances. Hatred leads to ill-will, aggression, and hostility, causing harm to oneself and others.Moha (Delusion, Ignorance): A fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of reality. Delusion refers to the ignorance of the true nature of things—specifically, the impermanence (anicca), suffering (dukkha), and non-self (anattā) nature of all phenomena. It is the root of all other defilements.These three primary kleśas—lobha, dveṣa, and moha—are often referred to as त्रिविष The Three Poisons in Buddhism, as they underlie all forms of unwholesome thoughts and actions. They fuel the cycle of samsāra, generating unskillful karma and perpetuating suffering.
In addition to the Three Poisons, other secondary kleśas include:
• Māna (Pride): The inflated sense of self-importance and superiority over others, which reinforces the illusion of a permanent self.
• Āsrava (Mental Influxes): Unwholesome tendencies that flow into the mind, corrupting it with desires, wrong views, or ignorance.
• Mātsarya (Envy): The feeling of resentment toward others’ success or happiness, which causes dissatisfaction and fuels competitive comparison.
• Rāga (Sensual Desire): A strong attachment to sensual pleasures, leading to clinging and craving for sensory experiences.
Overcoming Kleśas:
In Buddhist practice, the primary goal is to recognize, reduce, and eventually eradicate the kleśas through mindfulness, ethical conduct, and the cultivation of wisdom. Various meditative practices, such as विपस्सना Vipassanā (insight meditation), are designed to help practitioners identify the roots of afflictions and develop Equanimity toward them. Ultimately, the realization of emptiness (शून्यता Śūnyatā) and the understanding of the interdependent nature of all phenomena can uproot these defilements, leading to the cessation of suffering.
In Mahāyāna and Vajrayāna traditions, kleśas are not only seen as obstacles to enlightenment but can also be transformed into wisdom. For example, in Vajrayāna Buddhism, the energy of afflictions such as desire or anger can be transmuted into wisdom through advanced meditative techniques and deity yoga practices.