In Buddhism, "affliction" refers to the confused or upset state of mind owing to the turbulence in one's physical or mental being. It is actually a self-imposed bondage incurred by misunderstanding. A common man, due to his ignorance, takes his self as real and then attaches to things (to fulfill his own desires). The desires drive many kinds of conduct, which then result in karma and the involvement in the cycle of rebirth. In this sense, affliction is essentially human bondage. There are three basic kinds of afflictions: greed, resentment, and ignorance, also known collectively as "the three poisons". In Buddhism, there is a meticulous classification of various afflictions, for it is believed that only by careful observation and by identifying each sort could one release himself from such bondages.

Fannao (affliction) is glossed respectively by fan and nao : fan is being disturbed, and nao is getting disordered . It is so called because it confuses or upsets the sentient beings. (Shi Kuiji: Annotations on Collected Commentaries to the Perfection of Conciousness-only)

The mind, Buddha and beings, bodhi and afflictions, these terms are different, but they refer to the same thing. You must know that your own mind is really without annihilation or permanence. It is neither impure nor pure by nature. It is clear and perfect. With regard to this, the common and the noble are completely equal. This(same mind) functions in omnipresence. (Shi Daoyuan: Buddhist Teachings During the Jingde Reign of Emperor Zhenzong of the Song Dynasty)