Distraction (Buddhism)

In Tibetan Buddhism, as opposed to excitement (the scattering of the mind to pleasant objects), distraction involves the scattering of the mind to any object. In Hinayana Buddhism, agitation is the state of an excited mind. Its characteristic is disquiet, absence of calmness like water agitated by the wind. Its function is unsteadiness, it is manifest as trembling and turmoil and consciousness wavers and is distracted.

One of the twenty secondary afflictions of Tibetan Buddhism. One of the formations aggregate (mental coefficients) of Hinayana Buddhism, being listed among the constant states which appear in their true nature, and as unprofitable primary (always present in any unprofitable or unprofitable-resultant consciousness).