Significance of Concept

In various Buddhist traditions, the term Concept is explored through different lenses. Tibetan Buddhism views it as a mental representation valid only when devoid of unrecognized impositions. In Shaivism, it is referred to as Vikalpa, shaping cognition and perception. Mahayana Buddhism highlights concepts that inform meditative understanding and the final cessation of concept and feeling. Theravada categorizes concepts as manifestations of mental ideas serving as objects of consciousness, emphasizing the role of names and definitions in understanding.1
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Synonyms: Idea, Notion, Theory, Abstraction, Image, Plan, Design, Principle, Perception, Belief, Understanding, Approach, View

In Dutch: Concept; In Finnish: Käsite; In Spanish: Concepto

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Concept'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, the keyphrase "Concept" encompasses mental constructions influenced by perceptions, knowledge, and meditative experiences, ultimately guiding understanding while emphasizing the importance of clarity and the cessation of conceptualization in spiritual practice.

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

(1) The absorption of cessation of concept and feeling is the final stage of the meditative journey, marking the end of the process.[1] (2) An understanding or mental construct that shapes perception, particularly in the context of meditative experiences.[2] (3) Mental constructions or ideas that arise as a result of encountering material objects, influenced by causes and conditions.[3] (4) Refers to mental constructs or ideas associated with the understanding brought by the ten knowledges.[4]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

(1) Manifestations of mental ideas that are categorized as objects of consciousness, including names and definitions.[5]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

(1) A mental representation or understanding that may arise after perception but is valid only if it does not contain any unrecognized impositions.[6]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Plural form: Concepts.