What is the Six Dusts 六尘?

What is the Six Dusts 六尘?

Paul Peng
The so-called "Six Dusts" (六尘) in Taoism are the same as in Buddhism. "Dust" (尘) here means contamination. The "Six Dusts" derive from the "Six Roots" (六根), namely form, sound, smell, taste, touch, and dharma.

  • Form dust (色尘): Refers to what the eyes see, such as light and darkness, solidity and obstruction, etc. It is called form dust because it can contaminate the eye root.
  • Sound dust (声尘): Refers to what the ears hear, such as movement and stillness, beauty and ugliness, etc. It is called sound dust because it can contaminate the ear root.
  • Smell dust (香尘): Refers to what the nose smells, such as unobstructed and obstructed, fragrance and stench, etc. It is called smell dust because it can contaminate the nose root.
  • Taste dust (味尘): Refers to what the tongue tastes, such as saltiness, lightness, sweetness, pungency, etc. It is called taste dust because it can contaminate the tongue root.
  • Touch dust (触尘): Refers to what the body feels, such as union and separation, cold and heat, etc. It is called touch dust because it can contaminate the body root.
  • Dharma dust (法尘): Refers to what the mind perceives, such as birth and extinction, goodness and evil, etc. It is called dharma dust because it can contaminate the mind root.
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Paul Peng — Zhengyi Taoist Priest, Longhu Mountain

About the Author

Paul Peng

Paul Peng is a Zhengyi Taoist priest from Longhu Mountain, Jiangxi — the ancestral home of the Celestial Masters' tradition. Ordained at 25 after a dream from the Celestial Master, he has practiced for 25 years under Master Zeng Guangliang. He is the curator of this store, which is officially authorized by Tianshi Fu. All items are consecrated at the temple by the resident priest team.

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