Significance of Cognition
Cognition encompasses the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and senses across various philosophical traditions. In Jainism, it signifies a universal essence of awareness inherent in all souls. Tibetan Buddhism elaborates on cognition as a complex interplay of mental processes involved in perceiving, understanding, and acquiring knowledge. Different schools, including Vaisheshika and Mahayana, emphasize the significance of cognition in discerning reality and nurturing spiritual insights. Overall, cognition is critical for understanding both external objects and internal experiences.
Synonyms: Perception, Awareness, Consciousness, Understanding, Reasoning, Mental process, Intelligence, Insight, Comprehension, Intellect, Mind
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Cognition'
Cognition in Buddhism encompasses the mental processes of acquiring knowledge through thought, experience, and senses, emphasizing direct perception and understanding without illusion, and recognizing internal realities as essential to spiritual insight and awareness.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The process of consciousness or awareness that arises from the interaction of sense-organs and material objects.[1] (2) The mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses as indicated in the text.[2] (3) A mental process through which knowledge and understanding are acquired by the way of thought, experience, and the senses.[3] (4) The mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.[4] (5) The mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through experiences, senses, and thought.[5]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Cognition (jnana) refers to the process of understanding and attaining knowledge, especially in the context of spiritual insights.[6] (2) The process through which different constituents of existence are distinguished; however, separated, matter does not exist.[7] (3) The mental process of knowing, understanding, and recognizing, which is referred to in a limited capacity for attributes apart from the Buddha.[8]
From: Abhidharmakośa
(1) The mental process involving perception and understanding, which manifests in various forms including sensory awareness.[9]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The mental process of understanding and reflecting upon the nature of the elements discussed.[10]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) A mental process related to understanding and perceiving, foundational in the context of the verse.[11]
Hindu concept of 'Cognition'
Cognition in Hinduism encompasses the mental processes of understanding and knowledge acquisition, influenced by experience, perception, and language. It highlights the distinction between reality and misconceptions, culminating in the awareness of Atman.
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) A mental process that is not determined by external factors, indicating that it is influenced by internal understanding.[12] (2) Cognitions denote the mental processes of perception and understanding that are influenced by phonetic sounds and words.[13] (3) The mental processes involved in understanding and recognizing experiences, which in turn relate directly to direction and time.[14] (4) The mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through experience, senses, and thought.[15] (5) The mental processes through which sounds, words, and sentences are recognized and understood.[16]
From: Vakyapadiya (study of the concept of Sentence)
(1) The mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through the interpretation of sentences.[17] (2) Mental processes or awareness that involve recognizing and interpreting linguistic elements and the meanings behind them.[18]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through experience.[19] (2) The process of perceiving or knowing, which the mind is free from when it attains knowledge of Atman.[20]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The resulting perceptions or understandings derived from the mental modes, which are cast in the light of immutable knowledge.[21]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The process of perceiving or understanding, highlighting the distinction between the cognizer and the cognized.[22]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The process of understanding or gaining knowledge, which may be clouded by Nescience.[23]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The process of knowing or perceiving, particularly in relation to the beingness of a thing independent of any counter-entity.[24] (2) The process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses, central to discussions of perception and knowledge.[25] (3) The mental action of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses, which may sometimes result in uncertainty when conflicting properties are recognized.[26]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The mental act of understanding, which can become contaminated by non-existent perceptions or misconceptions.[27]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) The act or process of knowing, which can be categorized as unreal or real.[28]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) The process of acquiring understanding and awareness through spiritual experience.[29]
Jain concept of 'Cognition'
Cognition in Jainism signifies the fundamental awareness inherent in all souls, serving as a connection across diverse forms of existence, emphasizing the shared essence of consciousness.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) The ability or mark common to all souls, indicating the essence of awareness that links all forms of existence.[30]