Overview
Conceit (māna) in Theravāda is the deeply ingrained psychological habit of comparing oneself to others. It is not merely arrogance; even feeling inferior is a form of conceit because it relies on the false assumption of a solid “I” to compare. It is a higher fetter, eradicated only at Arahatship.
The List
- Seyyohamasmīti - “I am superior”: The arrogant conceit of elevating oneself above others based on birth, wealth, knowledge, or even spiritual attainment.
- Sadisohamasmīti - “I am equal”: The defensive conceit of insisting one is just as good as others. Though it may seem fair in a worldly sense, spiritually it is still rooted in ego-making.
- Hīnohamasmīti - “I am inferior”: The deprecating conceit of viewing oneself as lower or worse than others. This manifests as low self-esteem, depression, and self-pity, all rooted in an obsessive self-focus.
Textual References
- Canonical: Māna Sutta (SN 22.49) – The Buddha explains how an uninstructed worldling measures the aggregates in these three ways, while the noble disciple abandons such measuring.