Imperfection of insight (Buddhism)

The beginner in insight, who is continuously devoted to his meditation subject and keeps to the right way, nonetheless may have the ten imperfections arise in him. These are:< (1) Illumination due to insight. (2) Knowledge due to insight. (3) Rapturous happiness due to insight. (4) Tranquillity or repose due to insight. (5) Bliss (pleasure) due to insight. (6) Resolution as faith due to insight. (7) Exertion or uplift arises as well-exerted energy due to insight. (8) Assurance or presentation (establishment) as mindfulness arises in association with insight. (9) Equanimity or indifference, whether about insight, as neutrality about formations; or in adverting, incisive and sharp. (10) Attachment or desire due to insight.

Bringing the formations to mind as impermanent, then illumination, for example, arises. Adverting to illumination, he sees it as the state of an arahant. However, his mind is seized by agitation and he does not understand the object presented to mind as painful and not-self. Already one of serenity and insight, he may mistakenly believe he is an arahant.

Imperfection is avoided when the skilful meditator defines and examines the illumination or whatever has arisen, understanding that it is impermanent, formed, subject to destruction, fall, fading away, and so on. Or he may see that it is not self being taken as self. Seeing the illumination or whatever as not mine, not I, not myself, there is no wavering.