Significance of Samskara
Synonyms: Ritual, Ceremony, Rite, Tradition, Sacrament, Cultural practice, Spiritual practice, Religious observance
In Dutch: Samskara; In German: Samskara; In Finnish: Samskara; In Spanish: Samskara; In Swedish: Samskara; In Malay: Samskara; In French: Samskara
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Samskara'
Samskara in Buddhism encompasses actions that condition consciousness, shape experiences, and influence rebirth. It represents mental formations that arise and cease, highlighting their role in existence and the impermanence of conditioned dharmas.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Actions or volitional activities that condition consciousness and influence the cycle of rebirth into different destinies.[1] (2) Another term for conditioned dharmas, recognized as formations that are impermanent and dependently originated.[2] (3) Formations or actions generated by previous afflictions, leading to further existence and consciousness.[3]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) The mental formations or conditions that arise and cease, which play a key role in the Buddha's discourse concerning the nature of existence.[4]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) The mental formations and tendencies that shape an individual鈥檚 experiences and perceptions.[5]
From: 础产丑颈诲丑补谤尘补办辞艣补
(1) The imprint of experiences that shape future thoughts and behaviors in the context of mental formations.[6]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) A term referring to subsistence or presence in composition, indicating how things exist in relation to one another.[7] (2) Embellishment or enhancement in communication that aids in the removal of doubts.[8]
Hindu concept of 'Samskara'
Samskara in Hinduism encompasses the impressions formed by past experiences that shape an individual's spiritual journey and character, as well as the rituals and purificatory rites marking significant life events crucial for personal development.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A text cited in this context that includes rituals surrounding marriage, including the Rakshasa form.[9] (2) A comprehensive term for rituals and ceremonies in Hindu tradition that encompass various life stages and significant events.[10] (3) A reference to the traditions and rituals associated with Hindu practices, particularly mentioned within the context of Viramitrodaya.[11] (4) Refers to tradition or ritual purity, in context of how names and vowels are to be treated within the frameworks of social interactions.[12] (5) A term referring to ritual or cultural practices, relevant in the context of control.[13]
From: Apastamba Grihya-sutra
(1) The rituals and sacrifices performed at various stages of life, including birth, initiation, marriage, and death, reflecting the lifecycle in Hindu culture.[14]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) Ritual ceremonies that serve as important milestones throughout a Hindu's life, including birth, marriage, and death.[15]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Purificatory rites prescribed by Vedic traditions, which have no rules for the shudras.[16] (2) Rituals or sacraments that mark key stages in a Hindu's life, encompassing a wide range of social and religious practices.[17] (3) Purificatory rites or rituals that are traditionally associated with the twice-born castes, marking significant life events and transitions.[18] (4) Purificatory rites that one must observe after initiation to qualify for further spiritual studies.[19] (5) Purificatory processes or rituals necessary for spiritual elevation.[20]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) Inherent impressions or qualifications from past lives that influence one鈥檚 spiritual progress.[21] (2) Impressions or tendencies developed from previous devotional practices, which facilitate one's spiritual growth.[22] (3) Refers to the accumulated impressions from previous births that influence an individual's behavior and experiences in their current life.[23] (4) Impressions made on the heart through devotional practices, which can lead to a gradual development of spiritual desire.[24]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Rituals performed to honor the deceased, demonstrating respect for those affected by Shri Krishna鈥檚 actions.[25]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Impressions and desires from previous lives that influence the living entity's future birth and identity.[26]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) Deeply rooted tendencies or impressions that shape human desires and actions, which Ishwara is free from, highlighting the difference between Him and man.[27] (2) In Sanskrit, samskaras are the tendencies or latent states built up by the thought-waves, shaping one鈥檚 character and responses.[28] (3) The accumulated impressions and tendencies from past actions that influence current behaviors and experiences.[29] (4) Powerful tendencies that drive individuals to repeatedly engage in acts of sin or obstacle-building.[30]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja鈥檚 Rajamartanda)
(1) A lasting trace or mark left by every sensation, perception, and experience, which remains within a sentient being throughout life and beyond.[31]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Impressions left by past experiences that influence current perceptions, integral to the understanding of how illusions arise.[32] (2) Impressions or potentials that exist before creation, which ensure that the universe does not originate from nothing.[33]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The mental impressions or conditioning that influence one's perception and experience of reality.[34]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The accumulated mental formations, including desire and aversion, that originate from misconceived views about permanence.[35]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Sacramental rites performed at significant life events to purify and prepare the individual for their spiritual journey.[36] (2) Impressions or mental modifications left on the subtle body by past experiences, considered influential in shaping one's current state of being.[37] (3) The tendencies formed by past actions, with Sadhana aimed at confirming good samskaras and eliminating bad ones.[38]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) In this context, it refers to the residual impressions left by prior cognitions that influence future cognition and its perceived sequences.[39] (2) An improvement or refinement that refers to the enhancement of the item being cooked, as expressed by the root 鈭歱ac.[40] (3) The impressions that effectively perfect the mind by processing and organizing previous experiences.[41]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Purificatory ceremonies integral to Vedic rituals, marking various important stages of life.[42]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) Impressions left on the mind by past experiences, influencing the development of the individual according to Samkhya beliefs.[43]
From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha
(1) The subconscious impressions they leave in the mind, which shape future experiences and karmic cycles.[44]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This refers to an astronomical correction, e.g. to convert a mean value to a true one.[45]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The impression or faculty that arises from cognitive experiences, which influences future cognitions.[46]
The concept of Samskara in local and regional sources
Samskara encompasses internal qualities shaped by culture and rituals that influence behavior, marking significant life transitions. It emphasizes refinement in spiritual growth and societal values, as highlighted in U. R. Anantha Murthy鈥檚 novel.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Sacramental rites performed at different stages of life to purify and refine individual character, acknowledged in the upbringing of Raghu.[47] (2) The internal qualities or characteristics shaped by cultural and religious practices that influence an individual's behavior and societal standing.[48] (3) A religious act that embodies both outward rituals and inward spiritual grace, often translated as rite or ritual.[49] (4) A religious act exhibiting an outward expression of inward spiritual grace, often translated as a rite or a ritual.[50] (5) A term meaning refinement, which is a central theme in U. R. Anantha Murthy鈥檚 novel 'Samskara' highlighting societal decay.[51]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) These are the fine and hidden states that are sleeping in the Chitta and all past experiences of death, and is experience become subconscious and involved reason.[52] (2) These are the sum-total of impressions that reside in the mind, becoming more latent but remaining present, ready to emerge when the appropriate stimulus is given.[53] (3) An impression produced by each work and thought, in Sanskrit, upon the mind, and the sum total of these impressions becomes the tremendous force which is called "character".[54] (4) These are the impressions within the mind, and by making Samyama on their changes, one gains knowledge of the past and future.[55]