विचिकिच्छा
Vicikicchā
Doubt / Sceptical doubt / Vacillation
疑
intermediateMental Roots & Fetters (根與結)
Grammar 語法
feminine noun (ā-stem): from vi + cikicchā (treatment/uncertainty)
Definition 釋義
The second fetter — paralysing doubt about the Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, the training rules, past and future lives, and Dependent Origination. Vicikicchā is not healthy scepticism (which is encouraged), but the doubting that prevents commitment and practice. It manifests as inability to decide, vacillation, intellectual paralysis. It is destroyed at stream-entry when direct experience of the Dhamma confirms its truth beyond intellectual doubt.
Canonical Example 典籍例句
Vicikicchā kho, āvuso, eko āvaraṇo.
Doubt, friend, is one obstruction.
Source: AN 5.51
At a Glance
- Pali
- Vicikicchā
- IAST
- Vicikitsā
- Devanagari
- विचिकिच्छा
- Chinese
- 疑
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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