Significance of Causal relation
Causal relation encompasses the connections between causes and their effects as theorized across various philosophical and religious traditions. In Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, and other traditions, it emphasizes the influence of one event on another, the necessity of proving these connections, and critiques of how causality is perceived. In Yoga, it addresses the continuity of actions across lifetimes, while in Mahayana Buddhism, it highlights the interdependence of actions and consequences, forming a foundation for understanding existence, karma, and the cycle of birth and rebirth.
Synonyms: Causal connection, Causal link, Cause-and-effect relationship, Causal relationship, Cause and effect, Causation, Causality
In Dutch: Causaal verband; In Finnish: Kausaalinen yhteys; In Spanish: Relación causal; In German: Kausaler Zusammenhang
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Causal relation'
Causal relation in Buddhism elucidates the interconnectedness of actions (causes) and their outcomes (effects), emphasizing the role of karma in shaping experiences, suffering, and the cycle of rebirth through established connections and interdependence.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The established connection that exists when one material substance directly causes another, which does not apply in the same way to material properties.[1] (2) The direct relationship where one event or cognition influences or results in another.[2] (3) The relationship that is hypothesized to exist between the Body and Cognition, critiqued for lack of evidence.[3] (4) The connection between causes and their respective effects, which is confined within the limitations of the entities involved.[4] (5) The connection that indicates how one event or state leads to another, utilized in establishing the 'sameness' needed for valid inferences.[5]
From: Patthanuddesa Dipani
(1) The connection where one entity or phenomenon influences or gives rise to another, highlighting the mechanism of dependency between them.[6] (2) Causal relation pertains to the connections between different kinds of food and the properties they nourish or affect.[7] (3) The connections that exist between actions and their outcomes, particularly in relation to moral and immoral behavior.[8] (4) Refers to the way in which preceding apperceptions relate to succeeding ones due to habitual recurrence.[9] (5) A connection that exists between conditions or events, displaying how the states of the life-continuum and corporeal qualities interact.[10]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) The interactions and conditions that lead to the occurrence of phenomena, a key concept explored in the Patthana treatise.[11] (2) Various interconnections and dependencies between entities that describe how one state or event influences or brings about another.[12] (3) The law that refers to the existence of conditions that relate to one another.[13] (4) The intricate links and consequences between different mental and physical states discussed in the Abhidhamma.[14] (5) Pertains to the relationship between events where one serves as the root cause for the emergence of effects.[15]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) The connections between past causes, present effects, and present causes, illustrating how conditions interact across time.[16] (2) The connection between previous actions (sankhara) and the current states of consciousness (vinnana) in the cycle of rebirth.[17]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) Causal relations refer to the interconnected conditions and presentations discussed in the Patthana, which are essential to understanding the nature of existence.[18]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) The interdependent relationships between mental and physical states that exist based on various conditions and experiences.[19]
From: Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
(1) The interactions and dependencies that connect actions with their outcomes, serving to explain the dynamics of karma and enlightenment.[20] (2) The connection between cause and effect that underlies all phenomena and actions in Buddhist philosophy.[21] (3) The interdependence of actions and their resultant effects, forming the basis of karmic accomplishments and consequences.[22] (4) The interconnectedness of actions, events, and consequences emphasized in Buddhist philosophy, leading to the understanding of karma.[23] (5) The interdependent nature of all phenomena, where things arise based on specific causes and conditions, rather than possessing inherent, fixed natures.[24]
Hindu concept of 'Causal relation'
Causal relation in Hinduism refers to the intricate connections between cause and effect, exploring perceptions of reality through philosophical debates, perceptions, and interpretations, emphasizing the mental constructs and dependencies involved in understanding these relationships.
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The principle stating that every effect must have a preceding cause; involved in the argument questioning the unity of action and results across multiple Atmans.[25] (2) The link established between waking and dream states, referencing scriptural authority.[26] (3) The relationship perceived between causes and effects in both waking and dream experiences.[27] (4) The relationship by which one entity is understood to be the cause of another, particularly in the context of Atman.[28] (5) Causal relation refers to the connection or dependency between entities; in this context, it emphasizes that no causal link exists between the mind and the non-existing external objects.[29]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) This is a connection that may exist between the members of the series consisting of Nescience and others, but it cannot establish the existence of aggregates.[30] (2) A connection between two phenomena where one is understood to effect or lead to the other, particularly in the context it is stated that Nescience and other concepts cannot account for the existence of aggregates.[31]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The connection or relationship between two events where one event is the result of the occurrence of the other.[32]
From: Mandukya Upanishad
(1) The relationship that ties phenomena together through cause and effect.[33]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The concept that effects correspond to their causes, indicating the relationship between words and our cognitions.[34] (2) The connection between word and meaning that results from unbroken tradition and the mental interpretation of external objects.[35] (3) The conceptual link between events or entities that is recognized as a mental creation rather than an intrinsic aspect of the objects themselves.[36]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The erroneous beliefs that arise from a misunderstanding of cause and effect, which are contrived by the mind.[37] (2) Describes the connection between cause and effect as being of one essence, akin to fruit and seed.[38]
From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha
(1) The connection between causes and their resultant effects, explored in various philosophical arguments.[39]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) The link connecting past actions and their resultant effects in future existences, establishing continuity across different lifetimes.[40]
The concept of Causal relation in local and regional sources
Causal relation denotes the connection between cause and effect, emphasizing its importance in Indian philosophy. It underscores the intricacies of truth and practical understanding, illustrating how actions influence outcomes within regional contexts.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The relationship between cause and effect, a significant concept in Indian philosophy, highlighting the complexities of truth and practical understanding.[41]