Doubt or wavering refers to doubts such as “Is the Buddha really fully enlightened?”; “Does this practice really lead to the cessation of dukkha?”; “Have the disciples of the Buddha really attained enlightenment by this practice?”; “Is there a future life?”; Was there a past life?”.

Doubt or wavering arises due to unwise attention to things that cause doubt. It is discarded due to wise attention to the perception of either impermanence, unsatisfacturiness, or soullessness or to the Dhamma. It is totally eradicated by the path of a Sotapanna or Streamwinner (sotapatti magga).