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Significance of Attachment

Attachment, in various philosophical and spiritual traditions, refers to emotional and psychological bonds that lead to suffering and hinder spiritual growth. In Buddhism, it is seen as a primary cause of distress that obstructs enlightenment. Jainism emphasizes the need to transcend attachments to material possessions for spiritual advancement. Similarly, other traditions such as Yoga and Theravada Buddhism highlight how attachment creates dependency and leads to negative emotional states. Ultimately, relinquishing attachment is deemed essential for achieving true understanding and liberation.1
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Synonyms: Bond, Connection, Link, Tie, Affinity, Relationship, Adherence, Coupling

In Dutch: Bijlage; In Finnish: Liite; In Spanish: Adjunto; In German: Anhang; In Malay: Lampiran; In Swedish: 贵补蝉迟蝉盲迟迟苍颈苍驳; In French: Pi猫ce jointe

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Attachment'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, attachment signifies emotional bonds with people, objects, or experiences that lead to suffering. These bonds create dependency and hinder spiritual growth, obstructing the path to enlightenment and true understanding of the Dharma.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)

(1) A state of emotional dependence which, according to the Buddha, leads to grief and fear.[1] (2) The emotional bond one forms with certain people or things, which according to the Buddha, leads to suffering and is to be renounced.[2] (3) Emotional or psychological bonds that tie an individual to the material or moral world, which one must go beyond.[3] (4) The emotional connection to desires and cravings that binds individuals to the cycle of birth and decay.[4] (5) The emotional clinging to people, objects, or concepts that creates suffering and blocks liberation.[5]

From: Cetasikas

(1) The emotional bond to objects or beings that can lead to aversion when those objects or beings are lost.[6] (2) Attachments are emotional bonds to objects or experiences that lead to discomfort and suffering when those objects are not present.[7] (3) A form of clinging associated with feelings such as pleasantness, leading to a desire for more of the same experience.[8] (4) A strong emotional connection or clinging to desires and views, which tends to foster conceit when one holds onto aspects of self.[9]

From: A Manual of Abhidhamma

(1) The mental state characterized by clinging or dependence on objects, leading to negative outcomes.[10] (2) An emotional bond or strong connection that can lead to possessiveness and suffering.[11]

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) Referring to emotional or material clinging that binds individuals to the cycle of suffering, which the Buddha's teachings aim to help practitioners overcome.[12]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) Emotional bonds with colors or experiences that can lead to suffering and should be rejected according to the text.[13] (2) A clinging or fixation the bodhisattva transcends regarding the true nature of dharmas.[14] (3) Sanga, a form of desire that keeps beings from attaining enlightenment.[15] (4) The emotional bonds and dependencies that hinder beings from achieving spiritual growth and enlightenment.[16] (5) Metaphorically portrayed as an individual with attractive speech but bad intentions, signifying the inner conflicts of desire.[17]

From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)

(1) The emotional clinging to perceptions or beliefs, which the Buddha aims to address in Ananda's enlightenment journey.[18] (2) Emotional or mental clinging to thoughts, states, or material aspects that must be relinquished to achieve true cultivation.[19] (3) The emotional clinging to experiences or outcomes, which can hinder the progress towards enlightenment and purity.[20]

From: Avatamsaka Sutra (flower adornment sutra)鈥擯reface

(1) Refers to the clinging to past, present, and future that hinders true perception and knowledge.[21]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Buddhism (general):

From: Bodhinyana

(1) The emotional or psychological bonds individuals have to worldly objects and desires, which prevent them from achieving true wisdom.[22] (2) The emotional connections or bonds formed with things, which can lead to suffering when they are disturbed.[23]

From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)

(1) The emotional and psychological bonds that lead to suffering, often referenced as a cause of distress in Buddhism.[24]

From: The Great Chariot

(1) The emotional or mental bond that leads to clinging or dependency.[25]

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) Emotional or psychological bonds that lead to suffering and defilement, which the gcod system seeks to address.[26]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Hindu concept of 'Attachment'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, attachment represents a strong emotional bond that can enrich spiritual devotion yet ultimately hinders liberation by fostering dependency on transient desires and possessions, leading to suffering and obstructing self-realization.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) A strong affinity that arises for both devotional practices and the object of worship.[27] (2) A strong emotional connection that is nurtured within a spiritual context, leading to deeper devotion.[28]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Described as anuraga, it signifies a deep emotional and devotional connection that allows understanding of Bhrigu's characteristics.[29]

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) Emotional bonds or dependencies that may hinder spiritual growth or awareness, especially in relation to worldly desires.[30]

From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)

(1) A deep emotional bond or affection directed towards someone or something favorable in spiritual practice.[31]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Mahabharata (English)

(1) Emotional bonds that should be dissociated from to obtain absorption into Brahma.[32]

From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)

(1) Emotional or mental bonding to the results of actions, which leads to bondage and unhappiness.[33]

From: Bhagavadgita

(1) An emotional connection that can hinder one's ability to perform actions selflessly and is advised to be cast off for spiritual progress.[34]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Ashtavakra Gita

(1) The emotional bond to transient objects and desires, which hinders one's spiritual progress and understanding of the true self.[35]

From: Mandukya Upanishad

(1) The emotional bonds or dependencies individuals form, which can lead to feelings of incompleteness when faced with separateness.[36]

From: Vivekachudamani

(1) Emotional connection or clinging to objects or experiences, likened to the tender leaves of the tree.[37]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)

(1) Attachment is an affliction characterized by a strong emotional bond or desire towards objects, people, or experiences, which prevents freedom and understanding.[38] (2) A state of holding onto desires or possessions, leading to suffering when they are threatened.[39]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) Represented by the term 'Kama', indicating a form of love or desire, particularly in a sexual context.[40]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Jain concept of 'Attachment'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Attachment represents emotional and material ties that hinder spiritual growth, requiring relinquishment. It embodies clinging to outcomes and ideas, distorting perception, and is addressed in the fifth vow against emotional bonds to possessions or beings.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Acaranga-sutra

(1) An emotional state that the wise Brahmana sought to be free from in order to focus on spiritual growth.[41] (2) The fifth vow which advises against forming emotional bonds to material possessions or beings.[42]

From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra

(1) Emotional or material ties to people or possessions that one is advised to relinquish for spiritual advancement.[43]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Attachment in local and regional sources

History Books

Attachment is an emotional bond that signifies reliance on others or concepts, serving as a resistance to feelings of emptiness and leading to dependence on those connections.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This is that which dwells on pleasure, where the mind like a current flows towards pleasure centers, and we are never attached where we do not find pleasure.[44] (2) This is something that should be avoided except for good works, and according to the text, it can lead to selfishness and the desire to injure others.[45] (3) Attachment to sense objects leads to longing, which in turn causes anger, and ultimately, the ruin of discrimination, according to the text.[46]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The emotional bond that binds individuals to material things or relationships, viewed as a source of suffering in the teachings of the Gita.[47]

Plural form: Attachments.