In Hindu and Buddhist philosophy, ignorance or lack of spiritual knowledge, considered a fundamental cause of human suffering.
From Sanskrit 'avidyā,' meaning literally 'non-knowing' (a- meaning 'not' + vidyā meaning 'knowledge'), a central concept in Eastern philosophy that entered English through Sanskrit scholarship.
In yoga and meditation traditions, 'avidya' isn't just forgetting facts—it's fundamentally misunderstanding the nature of reality and yourself, and overcoming it is the whole point of spiritual practice.
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