What Are the Obstacles Encountered in Learning Buddhism and Practicing the Path

Kleśa-obstruction is the confusion in one's thoughts and views, and it is also the affliction of the obstacle of afflictions (kleśāvaraṇa). Karmic obstruction is the obstructive retribution produced by the countless karmic actions committed over innumerable kalpas. Habitual obstruction is the worldly conditioning accumulated over innumerable kalpas, which has long since become habitual; the force of this inertia is extremely great. Māra-obstruction includes obstacles set up through the interference of heavenly māras, and obstacles arising from one's own mind in the form of the māra of mental afflictions. For those who lack the ability to escape the desire realm, heavenly māras will not come to interfere, because they feel there is no need to; in most cases, it is simply the māra-obstruction of afflictions arising from each person's own mind.

These obstructions constantly follow those who study Buddhism. If one is not diligent, they are not yet obvious; but when one diligently applies effort, or when one's cultivation of the Path makes some progress, these obstructions become very evident, and one feels great resistance from all directions. It is like walking on foot: even though the wind blows around you, it feels like only a light breeze. If you ride a bicycle, the wind feels somewhat stronger, but it poses no great problem. If you ride a motorcycle, the wind resistance becomes great—the faster the speed, the greater the resistance one feels, because of the impact force between objects. Cultivating Buddhism is the same: there is an impact force between oneself and the habitual tendencies and inertia accumulated over innumerable kalpas; the more diligent one is, the greater the obstruction one encounters. If one has tenacious, unyielding perseverance and does not fear obstruction, one's cultivation of the Path will continually advance, and one's attainments will come both quickly and greatly.