Significance of Embodied being
Embodied being in various spiritual traditions encompasses sentient entities with physical forms existing within samsara, influenced by karma. This concept highlights how these living entities experience life through the cycles of birth, pleasure, pain, and suffering, and face challenges in achieving spiritual goals. Different philosophies, including Buddhism, Vedanta, and Purana, recognize embodied beings as individuals who must navigate the material world while seeking liberation and understanding their deeper spiritual essence. This idea emphasizes the connection between physical existence and consciousness.
Synonyms: Physical existence, Corporeal being, Material existence, Living entity, Physical being, Incarnate form, Material being
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Embodied being'
Embodied being in Buddhism encompasses living entities in physical forms that navigate cognition's cycle, facing potential bondage or liberation, while experiencing life subject to karmic influences within the transient realm of samsara.
From: The Great Chariot
(1) Individuals who possess physical forms capable of experiencing life, highlighting their eventual disappearance.[1] (2) Sentient entities that have taken physical form within samsara, subject to the influences of karma.[2]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The living entities that exist in a physical form, which experience the cycle of cognition that can lead to bondage or liberation.[3]
Hindu concept of 'Embodied being'
Embodied being in Hinduism encompasses sentient entities with physical forms, including humans, experiencing life through actions influenced by karma, facing suffering and liberation, and striving for spiritual goals amidst the material world's challenges.
From: Bhagavata Purana
(1) Sentient entities that possess physical forms and experience worldly existence.[4] (2) Living entities that possess physical bodies, as opposed to purely spiritual beings.[5] (3) Living entities that possess physical form, subject to the laws of karma and Dharma.[6] (4) Living entities that possess physical bodies, which limits their perception of reality compared to the eternal soul.[7] (5) Living entities manifesting in physical forms, which experience the cycles of pleasure and pain.[8]
From: Skanda Purana
(1) Refers to all living creatures who possess physical forms and are subject to the laws of karma.[9] (2) Souls that exist in physical forms and experience suffering and pain from bodily and mental causes.[10] (3) Creatures that inhabit physical forms who attain immortality or salvation after death at a sacred site.[11] (4) Refers to all living entities in the physical realm, especially in the context of gaining purity.[12] (5) All creatures that possess physical forms, who seek the divine presence.[13]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) A physical manifestation that cannot originate from the non-physical soul.[14] (2) The combination of soul and body that experiences emotions and actions but is often trapped by ignorance.[15] (3) A living entity that possesses a physical body and is subject to its sensations and perceptions.[16] (4) The common human perception of oneself as a physical entity, contrasted with the understanding of the soul's immortality.[17] (5) Refers to living entities that possess a physical body, contrasting with air-born or formless beings who are devoid of such material forms.[18]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) Refers to sentient beings in physical form that are capable of uttering the six-syllabled mantra for spiritual benefits.[19] (2) Living entities that possess a physical form capable of being influenced by Kala.[20] (3) Entities that possess physical forms, which experience reality through their sense organs.[21] (4) Living entities that take physical form and experience existence, like humans and animals.[22]
From: Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Refers to living entities in physical forms who face trials and tribulations in the material world.[23] (2) Souls or jivas that have taken physical form and experience the material world.[24] (3) Living entities that possess physical forms, experiencing life through pleasure and pain dictated by karma.[25] (4) All living creatures that possess a physical form and experience life in material existence.[26]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) An embodied being is not affected by the great curse of poverty, sickness etc.[27] (2) Living creatures experiencing worldly sorrows and seeking relief and peace through connections, especially familial.[28] (3) Even though (physically) alive, the embodied beings are like dead ones if they are bereft of me (Lakshmi).[29]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A term referring to a living soul inhabiting a physical body, implying a cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.[30] (2) Creatures that possess physical forms in the material world.[31]
From: Brahma Purana
(1) Living creatures that draw sustenance from food produced by rain-soaked earth; they include humans and animals.[32] (2) Sentient entities or living creatures that possess physical forms.[33]
From: Linga Purana
(1) All creatures that possess a physical body, which are subject to the experiences of pain and suffering due to ignorance.[34] (2) All creatures that inhabit physical forms, from Brahma to plants.[35]
From: Bhagavadgita
(1) Living entities that inhabit physical forms and face difficulties in attaining spiritual goals.[36]
From: Brahmanda Purana
(1) Refers to living entities that possess a physical form, which are influenced by fate to commit both good and bad actions.[37]
From: Lalitopakhyana (Lalita Mahatmya)
(1) All living entities that possess a physical body and are subject to the goddess's will.[38]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Refers to Jiva, which is described as neither an effect nor part of the Atman.[39] (2) The Jiva as a spiritual entity existing within a physical body, struggling to regain its original state.[40] (3) Also referred to as Jivas, these are the entities that are said to be manifested from the Supreme Self.[41] (4) The Jiva, which is imagined first, representing the individual experiencing existence.[42] (5) Referred to as Jivas, these beings represent the multiplicity observed in the world after the phenomenon of creation.[43]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Entities that exist in a physical form, such as gods or humans, whose attributes are tied to their bodies.[44] (2) Creatures or entities that possess a physical form, which are capable of exercising control over material causes, unlike the Lord, who is described as formless.[45]
From: Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) An individual soul residing in a physical body, subject to the experiences and limitations of the material world.[46]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) All living entities that are generated along with the ‘Jiva,’ which experiences existence through its association with physical forms.[47] (2) Refers to living entities in physical form that are influenced by 'Rajas'.[48] (3) Refers to living entities that exist in physical forms and are connected to actions through the Self.[49]
From: Narayaniya (Narayaneeyam)
(1) Refers to all sentient beings that take physical form and are subject to life's experiences.[50] (2) Living entities that possess a physical form and experience the material world.[51]
From: Shaiva Upanishads (A Critical Study)
(1) An individual in physical form who engages in self-realization and spiritual practices to understand the truth of Atman.[52]
From: Sahitya-kaumudi by Baladeva Vidyabhushana
(1) Refers to living entities that experience the world through physical forms, which the creator brings together through friendship and affection.[53]