Grammatical Analysis
Avijjā: [f.] ignorance; nescience; blindness. Formed by negative prefix a (not) + vijjā (true spiritual knowledge, clear vision). From root vid (to know, perceive). Literally means the active lack of correct spiritual vision.
Orthodox Definition
Avijjā is the absolute structural cornerstone of unwholesome reality. It is the first link in the twelve-fold chain of Dependent Origination (avijjā-paccayā saṅkhārā) and is doctrinally identical to the unwholesome mental factor of delusion (moha-cetasika).
The orthodox tradition defines avijjā not as mere general ignorance of worldly facts or academic data, but specifically as non-knowledge regarding four structural axes:
- Non-knowledge of suffering (dukkha).
- Non-knowledge of its origin (samudaya).
- Non-knowledge of its cessation (nirodha).
- Non-knowledge of the path (magga).
The commentaries explain that avijjā acts like a thick psychological cataract, masking the true characteristics of impermanence, suffering, and non-self, while projecting false illusions of permanence, pleasure, and substantial identity. It is the ultimate root of all karmic drifting in saṃsāra.
Textual References
- Sutta: Avijjā Sutta (SN 45.1) – Identifying ignorance as the forerunner of all unwholesome states, accompanied by shamelessness and recklessness.
- Abhidhamma: Dhammasaṅgaṇī (Definition of Moha).
- Commentary: Sammohavinodanī (Commentary on the Vibhaṅga) – Exhaustive analysis of how ignorance structures wrong perspectives.