Significance of Dilemma

Dilemma is a key philosophical and ethical concept explored across various traditions in Hinduism, Jainism, Vaishnavism, Purana, Theravada, and Indian history. In Hinduism, it highlights logical conflicts about permanence and causality. Jainism presents it through conflicting duties faced by a character. Vaishnavism explores uncertainty regarding safety and difficult choices impacting relationships. Purana's Dilemma emphasizes moral choices, while in Theravada, it encompasses personal conflict between family obligations and spiritual teachings. Overall, Dilemma encapsulates the complexities of decision-making within these cultural narratives.

Synonyms: Predicament, Crisis, Difficulty, Problem, Impasse, Situation, Conundrum

In Dutch: Dilemma; In German: Dilemma; In Finnish: Dilemma; In Spanish: Dilema

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

Buddhist concept of 'Dilemma'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, a dilemma exemplifies the conflict between personal loyalties and spiritual teachings, as illustrated by the weaver's daughter's struggle to choose between fulfilling her father's wishes and adhering to the Buddha's guidance, symbolizing deeper moral complexities.

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

From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The state of uncertainty faced by the weaver's daughter as she decided between her father’s request and the Buddha's teachings.[1]

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).

Hindu concept of 'Dilemma'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, "Dilemma" encompasses a challenging choice, exemplified by Vajranga's conflict between his wife's desires and righteousness, logical contradictions in permanence, Prahlada's safety, and uncertainties faced by Gurudeva's companions about his well-being.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Haribhakti-sudhodaya

(1) A situation involving a difficult choice; shown among the Brahmanas regarding Prahlada's safety.[2]

From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)

(1) The state of uncertainty faced by Gurudeva's companions regarding his safety when asked to go alone.[3]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (‘ten avatars of Vishnu’).

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha

(1) A logical conflict arising in arguments, particularly regarding the ability of permanence to account for cause and effect without contradiction.[4]

Jain concept of 'Dilemma'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, the Dilemma illustrates conflicting duties faced by the Lord of Bharata, balancing the need for authority over his younger brother with the importance of maintaining familial harmony.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) A situation where the Lord of Bharata faces conflicting duties: the need to restore command over his younger brother while also preserving familial relations.[5]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Dilemma in local and regional sources

History Books

The keyphrase "Dilemma" encapsulates complex situations with uncertain outcomes, challenging decisions characters face, and significant conflicts, as illustrated by Iswar Rao and Sitapati, highlighting the intricacies of navigating difficult choices in various contexts.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) A situation in which a character faces difficult choices, often explored in the serious plays of Pinero.[6] (2) The difficult decision Sitapati faces regarding whether or not to bring his daughter and son-in-law for the festival, given their financial constraints.[7] (3) Iswar Rao's state of being faced with a difficult situation with no easy solution.[8] (4) The complicated situation arising from the conflict where it is difficult to predict the future course of events due to changing roles of aggressors.[9]