Expert: Bodhicitta - 3/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hello Bodhicitta!

What is the meaning of ignorance in Buddhism? What does it mean that someone is ignorant? Thanks
ANSWER: Hi Luke
'ignorance' is a veil obscuring the the mind and not allowing reality to shine in. It is like walking around with a blindfold on and never seeing the sun.
Bodhicitta

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi. Thanks for the answer, but could you elaborate on this a little bit. I understand that an ignorant is someone who is e.g. uneducated, someone without a proper knowledge. Is it the same in Buddhism, could you give me an example for instance? Thanks

Answer
Hi Luke
Buddhism has an idea called Avidya which is often translated as ignorance. Avidya is our normal view of the world around us. We see a permanent tangeable world that we take as real
and solid. However when we look at the same world with the wisdom of meditation, we see that the world is instead an illusion, it is like a dream, it isnt permanent at all.
We are caught in a magical trick.

To see the truth and the way the world is, Buddhism advocates meditation. We then are able to cut through Avidya
and see truth or Vidya.

Bodhicitta