The Five Hindrances

Lion's Roar

Lion’s Roar is an independent non-profit foundation whose mission is to communicate Buddhist wisdom and practices in order to benefit people’s lives and our society, and to support the development of Buddhism in the modern world.

We are grateful to Lion’s Roarfor graciously providing free access to our users to access their articles referenced in the MWE curricular framework.

Here is a list of the Learning Goals which link to Lion’s Roar content.

  • 400The Five Hindrances
    Identify and categorize the five hindrances to meditation practice with their corresponding antidotes; analyze how these obstacles manifest in contemporary life beyond formal meditation; and implement systematic approaches for recognizing and addressing hindrances while evaluating the effectiveness of traditional Buddhist remedies in modern contexts.
  • 333Favorable Conditions of Human Existence
    Analyze the Buddhist teaching on the rarity and preciousness of human birth using the traditional analogy of the blind turtle; evaluate how understanding life’s rarity influences ethical decision-making and spiritual priorities; and implement daily practices that demonstrate appreciation for human existence while actively working to preserve and benefit the lives of others.
  • 331The Brain is not the Mind
    Identify key brain structures on diagrams. Analyze their functions, and compare how neuroscience and Buddhist psychology explain mental phenomena. Apply this knowledge to implement both brain-based regulation techniques and awareness-based practices that address challenges effectively.
  • 326The Three Trainings
    Analyze the interconnected relationship between ethical conduct, concentration, and wisdom within the three trainings’ framework; then evaluate how each training supports the others in personal transformation. Evaluate how your personal practice of the three trainings fits into daily life in a balanced way that will reduce harm and increase clarity, compassion, and discernment.
  • 322Dharma
    Differentiate between dharma as teaching methodology and dharma as ultimate truth; evaluate how core Buddhist principles function as practical tools for understanding suffering and its cessation; and implement systematic application of dharma teachings while documenting their effectiveness in developing wisdom and reducing harmful mental habits.
  • 228Unseen Beings
    Analyze the role of unseen beings across Buddhist traditions, and differentiate the unique qualities attributed to commonly referenced non-human entities. Evaluate how these symbolic relationships support practitioners’ cultivation of positive qualities such as protection, wisdom, and compassion.
  • 114Buddhist Approaches to Physical Health
    Analyze the first noble truth’s teaching that sickness is inherent to life while comparing Buddhist, traditional Eastern, and Western approaches to health and healing; evaluate the interconnection between physical and mental well-being from multiple medical perspectives; and synthesize understanding by developing informed criteria for assessing various healing modalities while maintaining openness to different definitions of wellness.
  • 109Being Peace
    Evaluate personal conduct and motivations through systematic self-reflection, analyzing alignment between inner development and outer engagement. Implement practices that cultivate genuine peace and non-aggression as foundations for authentic social action, demonstrating how contemplative self-awareness enhances the integrity and effectiveness of efforts to create beneficial change.
  • 124Engaged Buddhists
    Analyze the work of exemplary, socially engaged Buddhists; implement their principles in daily life; and evaluate how modern engaged Buddhism aligns with the Buddha’s original teachings.
  • 217Buddhist Iconography
    Analyze Buddhist iconography and symbolism, and differentiate the characteristic visual elements associated with different Buddhist traditions.

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