A Study of Concept of Delusion (Moha) in Theravāda Buddhism

This thesis consists of three objects: (1) to study the concept of delusion (Moha) in Theravāda Buddhism, (2) to analyze delusion (moha) in Abhidhamma and in relevant doctrines of Theravāda Buddhism, and (3) to present the ways to overcome delusion (moha) in the daily life according to the Buddha's teachings.

The present thesis is an analytical study of the concept of delusion in Theravāda Buddhism. It is found that delusion is an unwholesome mental factor which is often going together in all unwholesome minds. It is also the root of all evil, and it is also the source of all suffering. In reality, delusion is a synonym with ignorance and its opposite with wisdom,

Through the analysis of delusion: their characteristics, functions, manifestations, and proximate cause in the Buddha texts. According to Abhidhamma and in relevant doctrines of Theravāda Buddhism. It is often seen appearing in the group of unwholesome Dhamma such as: Cankers (āsava), defilements (kilesa), hindrances (nivāraṇa), latent tendency (anusaya), and so on. Delusion is also ignorance in the four Noble Truths because people who have been ignorant cover-up they no longer recognize what is evil and what is good. Since impermanent they think it is permanent, the suffering they think is joy, no-self they think is the self, and they are also the causes that lead all sentient beings to rebirth in the lower realms.

The research points out the ways to the abandonment of these unwholesome mental states based on the Buddhist perspective. Particularly, the Buddhist doctrines provide the way to get rid of delusion, one is temporary as overcome by the opposite, or by the repression, and another is completely destroyed. The only way to destroy delusion and these unwholesome consciousnesses arise with it are to practice insight meditation. Furthermore, the application of techniques to prevent unwholesome Dhammas as well as evil actions stemming from ignorance in our daily life by practicing generosity and observance of precepts. That is also the fundamental foundation to attain complete liberation