Overview
The Āsavas (taints, corruptions, or effluents) are the most deeply ingrained psychological impurities. They are compared to intoxicating sores that ooze pus, or liquor that has been fermenting for a long time. The total eradication of these taints is the defining characteristic of an Arahat (often called a Khīṇāsava, “One whose taints are destroyed”).
The List
- Kāmāsava - The Taint of Sensual Desire: The deep-seated, intoxicating bias toward bodily pleasure.
- Bhavāsava - The Taint of Existence: The deep-seated, intoxicating bias toward continuing to exist in saṃsāra.
- Diṭṭhāsava - The Taint of Views: The deep-seated bias toward dogmatic speculation and wrong views. (Note: Often omitted in older lists which feature only three).
- Avijjāsava - The Taint of Ignorance: The fundamental corruption of not knowing the Four Noble Truths, the root of all other taints.
Textual References
- Canonical: Sabbāsava Sutta (MN 2) – The Buddha provides a masterclass on how to eradicate all taints through seeing, restraining, using, enduring, avoiding, removing, and developing.