avijja
|a-vij-ja|
/əˈvɪdʒə/
fundamental lack of knowing / ignorance (esp. spiritual)
Etymology
'avijja' originates from Pali, ultimately from Sanskrit 'avidyā', where the prefix 'a-' meant 'not' and the root 'vid' meant 'to know'.
'avidyā' in Sanskrit changed to Pali 'avijjā' (with gemination of 'j') and was transmitted into English as the borrowed technical term 'avijja' through Buddhist studies and translations.
Initially it meant 'not knowing' in a general linguistic sense, but in Buddhist doctrinal usage it evolved to a technical sense: 'fundamental ignorance' that conditions suffering and cyclic existence.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
in Buddhism: fundamental ignorance or unawareness of the true nature of reality (especially ignorance of the Four Noble Truths), seen as the root condition that gives rise to suffering and the cycle of rebirth.
In early Buddhist texts, avijja is identified as the first link in the chain of dependent origination.
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Noun 2
general lack of knowledge or awareness about a fact, subject, or situation (non-technical usage).
His avijja about the regulations caused several procedural errors.
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Noun 3
spiritual obscuration or blindness of mind that prevents liberation; the opposite of liberating insight.
Overcoming avijja is essential for achieving nibbana.
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Last updated: 2025/12/02 18:30