user5527: I have noticed in discussions of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy that the way ordinary folk see things is described as 'defiled cognition'. I would like some pointers on what this means and where to do some reading on the idea.
Also is there any cross-cultural equivalent, in Western philosophy or religion?

user254: I know that Kleshas are translated as "defilements", and so I guess that "defiled cognition" means "cognition with kilesas".
I think that, at least from a Mahayana point of view, the principle kilesas are the three poisons (i.e. confusion, attachment, and aversion) ... or five poisons if you add pride and envy to the list.


Also is there any cross-cultural equivalent, in Western philosophy or religion?

Well perhaps there is something similar, in Christianity, i.e. a stereotypical Christian might be better off living without the so-called 'afflictive emotions', for example:

Instead of ignorance, faith and/or knowledge of God's will
Instead of anger, "peace-loving" and "neighbour-loving"
Instead of desire and greed, "thy will be done" and "treasures in heaven"
And, counsel against pride (the first deadly sin) and envy (the last of the ten commandments)

Although the symptoms (or lack of them) may be similar, the prescription recommended (by Buddhism and Christianity) is fairly different: especially on the subject of 'what is right view?' i.e. the opposite of ignorance.

user43: In Mahayana, "defiled cognition" is ignorant apprehension of standalone (svabhava) entities, both internally (as personal self) and externally (as various quasi-separate objects).
It is on the basis of this that experience is then divided up into "wanted" and "unwanted", a necessary condition of suffering.

5527: <p>I have noticed in discussions of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy that the way ordinary folk see things is described as 'defiled cognition'. I would like some pointers on what this means and where to do some reading on the idea.</p>

<p>Also is there any cross-cultural equivalent, in Western philosophy or religion?</p>
 254: <p>I know that <em><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kleshas_(Buddhism)" rel="nofollow">Kleshas</a></em> are translated as "defilements", and so I guess that "defiled cognition" means "cognition with <em>kilesas</em>".</p>

<p>I think that, at least from a Mahayana point of view, the principle <em>kilesas</em> are <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_poisons_(Buddhism)" rel="nofollow">the three poisons</a> (i.e. confusion, attachment, and aversion) ... or <em>five</em> poisons if you add pride and envy to the list.</p>

<hr>

<blockquote>
  <p>Also is there any cross-cultural equivalent, in Western philosophy or religion?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Well perhaps there <em>is</em> something similar, in Christianity, i.e. a stereotypical Christian might be better off living without the so-called 'afflictive emotions', for example:</p>

<ul>
<li>Instead of ignorance, <em>faith</em> and/or <em>knowledge</em> of God's will</li>
<li>Instead of anger, "<a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/26-52.htm" rel="nofollow">peace-loving</a>" and "<a href="http://biblehub.com/mark/12-31.htm" rel="nofollow">neighbour-loving</a>"</li>
<li>Instead of desire and greed, "<a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/6-10.htm" rel="nofollow">thy will be done</a>" and "<a href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/6-20.htm" rel="nofollow">treasures in heaven</a>"</li>
<li>And, counsel against pride (the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins#Pride" rel="nofollow">first deadly sin</a>) and envy (the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thou_shalt_not_covet" rel="nofollow">last of the ten commandments</a>)</li>
</ul>

<p>Although the symptoms (or lack of them) may be similar, the prescription recommended (by Buddhism and Christianity) is fairly different: especially on the subject of 'what is right view?' i.e. the opposite of ignorance.</p>
 43: <p>In Mahayana, "defiled cognition" is ignorant apprehension of standalone (<em>svabhava</em>) entities, both internally (as personal self) and externally (as various quasi-separate objects).</p>

<p>It is on the basis of this that experience is then divided up into "wanted" and "unwanted", a necessary condition of suffering.</p>
