Overview
The Latent Tendencies (Anusaya) are the most insidious and deeply buried forms of defilement. While active defilements (kilesa) bubble up to the surface during conscious thought, the latent tendencies sleep silently in the mental continuum, waiting for the right sensory trigger to strike. They are completely eradicated only by the supramundane paths.
The List
- Kāmarāgānusaya - The latent tendency of sensual lust: The dormant inclination toward seeking pleasure through the five physical senses.
- Paṭighānusaya - The latent tendency of aversion/anger: The dormant inclination toward anger, irritation, and pushing away unpleasant experiences.
- Diṭṭhānusaya - The latent tendency of views: The dormant inclination toward dogmatic opinions and wrong philosophical views.
- Vicikicchānusaya - The latent tendency of doubt: The dormant inclination toward skeptical indecision regarding the truth.
- Mānānusaya - The latent tendency of conceit: The dormant inclination toward measuring oneself against others (superior, equal, inferior).
- Bhavarāgānusaya - The latent tendency of attachment to existence: The dormant inclination toward wanting to be reborn and to continue living.
- Avijjānusaya - The latent tendency of ignorance: The deepest root. The dormant blindness to the Four Noble Truths.
Textual References
- Canonical: Anusaya Sutta (AN 7.11) – The Buddha lists these seven and states that the holy life is lived exclusively for the abandoning and uprooting of these tendencies.