As blog author, I want to bring in an intellectual construct from Sikhism in order to outline the difference between positive quiddity and negative quiddity. Although we have western cognates for Kam (lust), Krodh (rage) and Lobh (greed), we act in the west as though Moh (the sin of attachment) and Ahankar (ego, including intellectual pride) were generally virtues.
But they are not; attachment and intellectual pride lead to chaos, as described in detail in the companion "quiddity" blog of 149 posts. Let’s visit the very useful Sikh overview of human ethics.
The Five Evils
The Five evils or five thieves (panchadosh or panj vikar) are, according to Sikhism, the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. The common evils far exceed five in number, but a group of five came to be identified because of the obstruction they are believed to cause in man's pursuit of the moral and spiritual path. The group of five evils comprises Kam (lust), Krodh (rage), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment) and Ahankar (ego) in Punjabi; translated into English these words mean lust/addiction, wrath/rage/anger, materialistic greed, attachment/worldly infatuation and ego/pride respectively.
Kam
(from Sanskrit kama) meaning deep desire, uncontrolled longing, concupiscence, sensuality or lasciviousness is counted among the five cardinal sins or sinful propensities in Sikhism. In common usage, the term stands for excessive passion for sexual pleasure and it is in this sense that it is considered an evil in Sikhism.
Krodh
Krodh is derived from the Sanskrit word krodha, which means wrath or Rage. This is an emotion recognized in the Sikh system as a spring of desire and is as such counted as one of the Five Evils.
It expresses itself in several forms from silent sullenness to hysterical tantrums and violence. In Sikh Scripture krodh usually appears in combination with kam — as "kam krodh". The coalescence is not simply for the sake of alliterative effect. Krodh (ire) is the direct progeny of kam (desire). The latter when thwarted or jilted produces the former. The Scripture also counts krodh (or its synonym kop) among the four rivers of fire.
Lobh
Lobh is a Gurmukhi word which translates in English to greed; it is a strong desire for worldly possessions and a constant focus on possessing material items, especially the urge to possess what rightfully belongs to others. According to Sikhism, it makes an individual selfish and self-centred. It takes a person away from his religious and social duties. A person can become blind with greed if an effort to control the desire for unlimited worldly possessions.Gurus taught that human beings should make the most of everything that God has given. However, if a person’s actions and thoughts are focused on possessing the material things in life he or she is no longer focused on God then they are moving further and further from liberation and Mukti.
Sikhs do not believe that it is wrong to enjoy the good things in life, to be wealthy or to be admired by others. The Gurus taught that human beings should make the most of everything that God has given. However, if a person’s actions and thoughts are focused on possessing the material things in life he or she is no longer focused on God then they are moving further and further from liberation and Mukti.
Moh
Moh (Sanskrit muh: "to become stupefied, to be bewildered or perplexed, to err, to be mistaken") stands in ancient texts for perplexity or confusion as also for the cause of confusion, that is, avidya or ajnana (ignorance or illusion).
In another context, it stands for "the snare of worldly illusion, infatuation." Its function is twofold: it bedims the discernment of truth, prevents the discernment of reality, and it creates an error of judgement or leads to wrong knowledge (mithya jnana). Men believe in an eternal reality of their own existence or ego; they see truth in what is false and seek happiness in what begets suffering.
In Punjabi Moh generally means love of and attachment to worldly things and relations. In Sikh Scripture, the term frequently occurs coupled with maya (maia) as maya-moh interpreted both as infatuation for or clinging to the illusory world of the senses and as illusion of worldly love and attachment. Sikh interpretation of maya, however, differs from that of classical, advaita philosophy, which considers the phenomenal world unreal and therefore an illusion caused by human ignorance.
In Sikhism, the visible world is a manifestation of God Himself and is therefore real; yet it is not satya or true in the sense of being immutable and eternal. This world of mass, form and movement woven into the warp and woof of time and space is God’s play created at His pleasure and is as such real and sacred; but it represents only one transient aspect and not the Ultimate Reality. Maya is not an illusion in the sense of a mirage, a factual nullity; it is a delusion which represents transient as permanent and a part as the whole.
Moh for maya, i.e. for this transient world of the senses, hinders the soul’s search for its ultimate goal and is, therefore, one of the Five Evils. It is related, on the one hand, to kam (desire, love) and lobh (possessiveness, covetousness) and, on the other, to ahankar (sense of I, my and mine). That is how moh has been referred to as a net, maiajal (GG, 266). Guru Nanak advises shedding of moh as it is the source of all evil and a cause for repeated births and deaths. (GG, 356).
The antidote to moh is non-attachment. This is not easy, for the Gurus preach active participation in life rather than renunciation and escapism. Ultimately, of course, all depends on nadar or God’s grace. Says Guru Nanak "nadari kare ta ehu mohu jai—by (His) grace alone will this moh be cancelled" (GG, 356). The right remedy is the understanding (gian) that the mundane world, its relations and affairs, demanding one’s participation and involvement are transient. Non-attachment thus is not non-action, but an attitude to action characterized by Guru Nanak as that of a bajigar, participant in a sport.
Ahankar
Ahankar is the Gurmukhi word originated from Sanskrit word AhamkÄra, which translates to mean ego or excessive pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or powers. It gives an individual the feeling that he is superior to others and therefore they are at a lower level than he is. It leads to envy, feelings of enmity, and restlessness amongst people.
Sikhism requires that a person serves society and community with Nimrata or humility. This is obtained by Sewa and hence, one sees the practise of devotees cleaning the footwear of visitors to a Gurdwara so that the mind of devout Sikh is made more humble.
This Cardinal Evil is often regarded by Sikhs as the worst of the Five Evils. They feel that pride leads to Haumai because it makes people believe that they are the most important thing in life and leads to self-
centredness.
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It is the primary aim of the practising Sikh to subdue these five inner evils and render them useless. The actions of one's mind should be above, beyond and without interference from these five inner urges or sins. It's a Sikh's duty to not base their life subject to these five passions of the human heart. To live a life in devotion to the Almighty Waheguru in positive Spirits (Chardikala) and in His Mercy (Hukam). To remember God in Naam Simran, engaged in community service (Sewa) and to practise the Five Virtues [those being (Sat (truth), Daya (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Nimrata (humility), and Pyar (love)]. By taking these positive steps, the Five Evils are overcome and rendered ineffective. By adopting this daily routine and discipline the person's actions become pure (Nirmal) and rewarding to the soul and the negativity of the person is removed.
Slightly rearranged an shortened from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Evils
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Afterword by the Blog Author
Ultimately this blog and the urban coyote philosophy diverge from Sikhism, though the two paths can travel far together as pilgrims. A Sikh might agree that the modern western philosophies become entranced and trapped in the Moh (community comfort and predictability of those who are of a like mind) and Ahankar (cock-sure intellectual arrogance) of modern religious conservatives, as well as modern libertarians, as well as modern liberals.
But for an urban coyote and defender of quiddity, the five principal Sikh virtues of truth, compassion, contentment, humility and love, though necessary, are not sufficient.
To defend quiddity requires a nearly instantaneous
and nearly always correct talent for guessing and
immediately adopting the wise course of action.
To achieve this skill requires dedication to Aristotle’s discussions on wisdom (Sophia, a Greek goddess) and practical common sense (Phronesis), thus leading to a life of continual inspiration (eudaimonia).
But they are not; attachment and intellectual pride lead to chaos, as described in detail in the companion "quiddity" blog of 149 posts. Let’s visit the very useful Sikh overview of human ethics.
The Five Evils
The Five evils or five thieves (panchadosh or panj vikar) are, according to Sikhism, the five major weaknesses of the human personality at variance with its spiritual essence. The common evils far exceed five in number, but a group of five came to be identified because of the obstruction they are believed to cause in man's pursuit of the moral and spiritual path. The group of five evils comprises Kam (lust), Krodh (rage), Lobh (greed), Moh (attachment) and Ahankar (ego) in Punjabi; translated into English these words mean lust/addiction, wrath/rage/anger, materialistic greed, attachment/worldly infatuation and ego/pride respectively.
Kam
(from Sanskrit kama) meaning deep desire, uncontrolled longing, concupiscence, sensuality or lasciviousness is counted among the five cardinal sins or sinful propensities in Sikhism. In common usage, the term stands for excessive passion for sexual pleasure and it is in this sense that it is considered an evil in Sikhism.
Krodh
Krodh is derived from the Sanskrit word krodha, which means wrath or Rage. This is an emotion recognized in the Sikh system as a spring of desire and is as such counted as one of the Five Evils.
It expresses itself in several forms from silent sullenness to hysterical tantrums and violence. In Sikh Scripture krodh usually appears in combination with kam — as "kam krodh". The coalescence is not simply for the sake of alliterative effect. Krodh (ire) is the direct progeny of kam (desire). The latter when thwarted or jilted produces the former. The Scripture also counts krodh (or its synonym kop) among the four rivers of fire.
Lobh
Lobh is a Gurmukhi word which translates in English to greed; it is a strong desire for worldly possessions and a constant focus on possessing material items, especially the urge to possess what rightfully belongs to others. According to Sikhism, it makes an individual selfish and self-centred. It takes a person away from his religious and social duties. A person can become blind with greed if an effort to control the desire for unlimited worldly possessions.Gurus taught that human beings should make the most of everything that God has given. However, if a person’s actions and thoughts are focused on possessing the material things in life he or she is no longer focused on God then they are moving further and further from liberation and Mukti.
Sikhs do not believe that it is wrong to enjoy the good things in life, to be wealthy or to be admired by others. The Gurus taught that human beings should make the most of everything that God has given. However, if a person’s actions and thoughts are focused on possessing the material things in life he or she is no longer focused on God then they are moving further and further from liberation and Mukti.
Moh
Moh (Sanskrit muh: "to become stupefied, to be bewildered or perplexed, to err, to be mistaken") stands in ancient texts for perplexity or confusion as also for the cause of confusion, that is, avidya or ajnana (ignorance or illusion).
In another context, it stands for "the snare of worldly illusion, infatuation." Its function is twofold: it bedims the discernment of truth, prevents the discernment of reality, and it creates an error of judgement or leads to wrong knowledge (mithya jnana). Men believe in an eternal reality of their own existence or ego; they see truth in what is false and seek happiness in what begets suffering.
In Punjabi Moh generally means love of and attachment to worldly things and relations. In Sikh Scripture, the term frequently occurs coupled with maya (maia) as maya-moh interpreted both as infatuation for or clinging to the illusory world of the senses and as illusion of worldly love and attachment. Sikh interpretation of maya, however, differs from that of classical, advaita philosophy, which considers the phenomenal world unreal and therefore an illusion caused by human ignorance.
In Sikhism, the visible world is a manifestation of God Himself and is therefore real; yet it is not satya or true in the sense of being immutable and eternal. This world of mass, form and movement woven into the warp and woof of time and space is God’s play created at His pleasure and is as such real and sacred; but it represents only one transient aspect and not the Ultimate Reality. Maya is not an illusion in the sense of a mirage, a factual nullity; it is a delusion which represents transient as permanent and a part as the whole.
Moh for maya, i.e. for this transient world of the senses, hinders the soul’s search for its ultimate goal and is, therefore, one of the Five Evils. It is related, on the one hand, to kam (desire, love) and lobh (possessiveness, covetousness) and, on the other, to ahankar (sense of I, my and mine). That is how moh has been referred to as a net, maiajal (GG, 266). Guru Nanak advises shedding of moh as it is the source of all evil and a cause for repeated births and deaths. (GG, 356).
The antidote to moh is non-attachment. This is not easy, for the Gurus preach active participation in life rather than renunciation and escapism. Ultimately, of course, all depends on nadar or God’s grace. Says Guru Nanak "nadari kare ta ehu mohu jai—by (His) grace alone will this moh be cancelled" (GG, 356). The right remedy is the understanding (gian) that the mundane world, its relations and affairs, demanding one’s participation and involvement are transient. Non-attachment thus is not non-action, but an attitude to action characterized by Guru Nanak as that of a bajigar, participant in a sport.
Ahankar
Ahankar is the Gurmukhi word originated from Sanskrit word AhamkÄra, which translates to mean ego or excessive pride due to one's possessions, material wealth, intelligence or powers. It gives an individual the feeling that he is superior to others and therefore they are at a lower level than he is. It leads to envy, feelings of enmity, and restlessness amongst people.
Sikhism requires that a person serves society and community with Nimrata or humility. This is obtained by Sewa and hence, one sees the practise of devotees cleaning the footwear of visitors to a Gurdwara so that the mind of devout Sikh is made more humble.
This Cardinal Evil is often regarded by Sikhs as the worst of the Five Evils. They feel that pride leads to Haumai because it makes people believe that they are the most important thing in life and leads to self-
centredness.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
It is the primary aim of the practising Sikh to subdue these five inner evils and render them useless. The actions of one's mind should be above, beyond and without interference from these five inner urges or sins. It's a Sikh's duty to not base their life subject to these five passions of the human heart. To live a life in devotion to the Almighty Waheguru in positive Spirits (Chardikala) and in His Mercy (Hukam). To remember God in Naam Simran, engaged in community service (Sewa) and to practise the Five Virtues [those being (Sat (truth), Daya (compassion), Santokh (contentment), Nimrata (humility), and Pyar (love)]. By taking these positive steps, the Five Evils are overcome and rendered ineffective. By adopting this daily routine and discipline the person's actions become pure (Nirmal) and rewarding to the soul and the negativity of the person is removed.
Slightly rearranged an shortened from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Evils
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Afterword by the Blog Author
Ultimately this blog and the urban coyote philosophy diverge from Sikhism, though the two paths can travel far together as pilgrims. A Sikh might agree that the modern western philosophies become entranced and trapped in the Moh (community comfort and predictability of those who are of a like mind) and Ahankar (cock-sure intellectual arrogance) of modern religious conservatives, as well as modern libertarians, as well as modern liberals.
But for an urban coyote and defender of quiddity, the five principal Sikh virtues of truth, compassion, contentment, humility and love, though necessary, are not sufficient.
To defend quiddity requires a nearly instantaneous
and nearly always correct talent for guessing and
immediately adopting the wise course of action.
To achieve this skill requires dedication to Aristotle’s discussions on wisdom (Sophia, a Greek goddess) and practical common sense (Phronesis), thus leading to a life of continual inspiration (eudaimonia).
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