What Is the Meaning of the Anusaya of Craving?

The term "afflictions that accompany like sleep" (suimian) literally means accompanying sleep, signifying something hidden, operating behind the scenes, or accompanying. Within the activities of the five aggregates, affection and afflictions constantly accompany us everywhere. The moment a critical juncture arises, affection and afflictions manifest actively, contaminated karma appears, contaminated seeds are stored, and the future accumulation of suffering arises.

When there are afflictions that accompany like sleep, the mind becomes veiled, unable to perceive the truth; ignorance obstructs the light of wisdom. Therefore, even a trace of affliction is ignorance; the mind lacks clarity, is dark, and the light of wisdom does not manifest. To sever affection is to sever suffering. Where affection is heavy, suffering is heavy, leading to rebirth in the Saha world; where affection is light, suffering is light, leading to rebirth in heavenly realms; without affection, the present moment is the Pure Land.

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