We have understood human psychology through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, but what truly governs our behavior? How do we determine whether our actions are right or wrong? Let’s explore the workings of the brain and consciousness to find the answer.
In Buddhism, Desire, Anger, Ignorance, Doubt, and Arrogance are considered the five primary afflictions, which are the root of suffering and obstacles to enlightenment. By integrating perspectives from biology, neuroscience, and consciousness studies, we can better understand the origins and mechanisms of these afflictions.
1. The Five Afflictions from an Integrated Perspective
| Affliction | DNA (Biological Instinct) | Brain Mechanism | Consciousness (Buddhism) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desire | DNA drives the instinct to seek resources, food, mates, and safety. | The limbic system activates dopamine, creating satisfaction upon achieving goals. | Manas consciousness: Clings to the self, amplifying desires. Ālaya consciousness: Stores the karmic imprints of greed from past lives. |
| Anger | DNA programs defensive responses to threats, ensuring survival. | The amygdala triggers anger responses when sensing danger. | Manas consciousness: Clings to the self, overreacting to perceived insults. Ālaya consciousness: Stores habitual anger across multiple lifetimes. |
| Ignorance | DNA encodes only basic instincts, not necessarily accurate awareness. | The brain processes information based on past experiences, leading to biases. | Ālaya consciousness: Retains ignorance from past karma. Ignorance: The root cause of Desire and Anger. |
| Doubt | DNA develops an instinct for vigilance to ensure survival, which can lead to excessive doubt. | The limbic system and prefrontal cortex analyze risks, sometimes causing anxiety. | Manas consciousness: Associates fear with the self. Ālaya consciousness: Stores habitual doubt. |
| Arrogance | DNA programs competitive instincts, driving comparison and dominance. | The limbic system and dopamine create feelings of pride when gaining an advantage. | Manas consciousness: Amplifies self-importance into arrogance. Ālaya consciousness: Stores arrogance imprints from previous lifetimes. |
2. Detailed Analysis of Each Affliction
a. Desire
- DNA: Desire originates from the survival instinct to seek resources such as food, water, and mates.
- Brain Mechanism: The limbic system and dopamine create a sense of satisfaction when achieving a goal, leading to continuous craving.
- Consciousness:
- Manas consciousness: Clings to the self, amplifying greed.
- Ālaya consciousness: Stores habitual greed from past lives.
b. Anger
- DNA: Anger is a natural defense mechanism when threatened, protecting territory and dignity.
- Brain Mechanism: The amygdala triggers anger responses; the sympathetic nervous system boosts energy for confrontation.
- Consciousness:
- Manas consciousness: Magnifies personal harm, leading to excessive anger.
- Ālaya consciousness: Stores anger imprints, making behaviors more likely to repeat.
c. Ignorance
- DNA: DNA does not program correct awareness, making humans prone to errors.
- Brain Mechanism: The brain relies on past experiences, leading to biases or delusions.
- Consciousness:
- Ālaya consciousness: Retains ignorance from past karma.
- Ignorance: The root cause of Desire and Anger in the Twelve Links of Dependent Origination.
d. Doubt
- DNA: Instinctive vigilance helps survival, but excessive doubt can be detrimental.
- Brain Mechanism: The limbic system and prefrontal cortex analyze risks, sometimes leading to anxiety.
- Consciousness:
- Manas consciousness: Fear of loss is closely tied to the self.
- Ālaya consciousness: Stores habitual doubt.
e. Arrogance
- DNA: Competitive instincts drive humans to seek superiority over others.
- Brain Mechanism: The limbic system and dopamine create a sense of pride upon achieving success.
- Consciousness:
- Manas consciousness: Amplifies self-satisfaction into arrogance.
- Ālaya consciousness: Stores arrogance imprints from past lifetimes.
Conclusion
Desire, Anger, Ignorance, Doubt, and Arrogance arise from the interaction between DNA (biological instincts), the brain (neural mechanisms), and consciousness (karmic imprints). These afflictions can be controlled or transcended through spiritual practice, purification of the mind, and cultivation of wisdom.
