Significance of Great Being
Synonyms: Supreme being, Higher power, Divine entity, God, Ultimate reality, Creator, Source, Almighty, Divine presence, Spiritual being, Deity
In Dutch: Groot Wezen; In Finnish: Suuri Olento; In Spanish: Gran Ser; In German: Großes Wesen; In Swedish: Stor Varelse; In Malay: Makhluk Hebat; In French: Grand Être; In Portugese: Grande Ser; In Italian: Grande Essere; In Polish: Wielka Istota
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Great Being'
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The Great Being advised the king, suggesting patience if the woman is dear, comparing the situation to a mighty river where all creatures drink at will.[1] (2) A wise figure who answers questions about patience, morality, wisdom, and the consequences of actions.[2] (3) A figure who praises the king and speaks of the kindness extended to the birds. This figure also declares to the king the misery attending the five kinds of vice and the blessing that followed virtue.[3] (4) Another name for the Bodhisatta, who never once opened his eyes nor regarded the men with anger while being wounded.[4] (5) The Great Being is described as not being crippled for lack of joints, nor deaf for lack of ears, and not dumb for want of tongue, and has previously played the king in an old birth.[5]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) A term used to describe individuals who possess great wisdom and are recognized for their significant spiritual achievements.[6] (2) A title for the Buddha that underscores his exceptional nature and the positive impact of his birth on the world.[7]
From: Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification)
(1) Individuals who have perfected the qualities of the divine abidings and utilize them in their actions towards all beings.[8]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) Spiritual individuals noted for their advanced practice and realization in the dhamma, representing aspirational figures for monks.[9]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) High beings within the spiritual context, including Arahats and deities, recognized for their wisdom and power.[10]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (4): Parivara
(1) This term denotes individuals of exceptional spiritual or intellectual stature.[11]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Also known as mahapurisa-vitakka, Venerable Anuruddha contemplated on the eight thoughts of this.[12]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) The great beings are the saintly individuals, and they stand in reverence for the great-hearted Buddhas, and they are the focus of the discourse.[13] (2) Referring to the Bodhisattvas or enlightened beings who have achieved a high level of spiritual development.[14] (3) A term used to honor Bodhisattvas who embody the ideals of righteousness and virtue.[15] (4) A term of respect reflecting the Bodhisattva's noble character and the expectations of the devas regarding his potential to attain enlightenment.[16]
From: Bodhisattvacharyavatara
(1) Remarkable individuals highlighted for their contributions to Buddhist philosophy and teachings.[17] (2) Refers to accomplished practitioners and teachers in the Buddhist tradition, recognized for their profound qualities and achievements in dharma.[18]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) This term is used to describe the bodhisattvas, who had assembled from different Buddha-fields and were innumerable, their number being infinite and unspeakable.[19] (2) A great being is characterized by excellent characteristics and marks of beauty, caused by a hundred thousand potentialities for the good.[20]
From: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Sutra of the Great Vow)
(1) This describes Ksitigarbha because he has infinite compassion.[21] (2) A term used to describe the Master of Life Ghost King, who will become a Buddha in the future, highlighting their spiritual status.[22]
From: The Perfection Of Wisdom In Eight Thousand Lines
(1) Bodhisattvas who have eliminated misguided views and understand the world as an illusion.[23]
From: Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra
(1) Refers to the bodhisattvas or revered figures exemplifying enlightened qualities and driving the mission of aiding living beings.[24]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) A term used to describe the Bodhisatta as He reflects on fulfilling the ten perfections to attain Buddhahood.[25] (2) The individual whose journey and previous lifetimes are chronicled in the commentary and are central to understanding the Dhamma.[26] (3) Another description of the Bodhisatta, signifying his noble qualities and eventual path towards enlightenment.[27] (4) A term used to signify the Bodhisatta in his previous births before attaining Buddhahood.[28] (5) A title referring to the Bodhisat during significant events of his spiritual journey, particularly during the attainment of Buddhahood.[29]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) When great beings strive to benefit others, that is their beauty, and the power of those great beings to make them happy is noble, therefore great beings are skilled in dealing with that.[30] (2) Before them, one should not be confident and recognize their great prajna.[31] (3) A term describing an enlightened person, such as a Buddha, who possesses immense spiritual qualities and wisdom.[32]
From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)
(1) Individuals who have achieved significant spiritual or moral excellence.[33] (2) Referring to a Mahasattva, an accomplished spiritual being who has progressed on the path of Bodhisattvas.[34]
Hindu concept of 'Great Being'
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) Those great beings, the Gods themselves, are subject to fate, O Lion among Men; how much more man? This is mentioned in the text.[35] (2) This describes Hanuman, who is believed to be masquerading as a monkey and possessing extraordinary capabilities, leading to the belief that he might be an emissary.[36] (3) A respectful term used to address the sages and illustrious figures in the narrative.[37] (4) Refers to the devas, gandharvas, asuras, and nagas who were distressed by the actions of King Sagara’s sons.[38] (5) A category that includes divine figures such as Devas, Gandharvas, and Siddhas, present during the narration.[39]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) A powerful and formidable entity encountered by Arjuna, indicative of divine challenges.[40]
From: Garuda Purana
(1) Refers to the supreme entity described by Rudra, whose name aids in crossing the ocean of Samsara.[41]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Refers to Vyasa, who embodies a significant role in the division and arrangement of the Vedas throughout different ages.[42]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) Hundreds of Rudras, who are known as very these in the world.[43]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) The great Being, described as endless and unlimited, consisting of nothing but knowledge, rises from out of the elements, and vanishes again after them, which describes how the great Being under discussion rises, as the Self of knowledge, from the elements, shows that the object of sight is no other than the cognitional Self.[44] (2) This refers to the supreme being that, effortlessly, produced the vast mass of holy texts, the mine of all knowledge, consisting of manifold branches, which is the cause of the distinction of all the different classes and conditions of gods, animals, and men.[45] (3) This is a source from which various texts, such as the Rig-veda and Yajur-veda, have been breathed forth, according to the provided passages.[46] (4) The great Being is declared to rise in the form of the individual soul from out of the elements, according to the text.[47] (5) A term referring to Brahman, emphasizing its vastness, limitlessness, and essential nature as knowledge.[48]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) Refers to the Lord, who is the source of all creation and the one from whom the prapanca originates.[49]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) A reference to the Supreme Lord, emphasizing a sense of grandeur and authority in creation.[50]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Refers to the supreme entity that is the source of all creation.[51]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) A character in Buddhist tales who embodies virtues and performs actions consistent with truth, especially evident in the motif of the 'Act of Truth'.[52]
From: Asvalayana-grihya-sutra
(1) A term used to describe the significance and elevated status of a Snataka, indicating respect and honor within religious texts.[53]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The comprehensive existence that encompasses all universals, described as mahasatta.[54]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) These individuals, on a level with Brahma, are said to fail to attain the supreme mercy of such favor.[55]
The concept of Great Being in local and regional sources
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The ultimate source of all values, embodying Truth, Goodness, Beauty, and Power in the universe.[56] (2) Symbolic representations of the cosmic forces that control the physical world, often appearing in artistic expressions.[57] (3) A term for God that embodies the totality of existence and governs the universe, according to Vedic philosophy.[58]
The concept of Great Being in scientific sources
Great Being, in this context, refers to Bodhisattvas who synthesize samsara and nirvana. They achieve this by perceiving the beginningless prapanca, which leads to the conceptualization of visible objects.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Great beings, or Bodhisattvas, accomplish the synthesizing of sam . sara and nirvana, by perceiving the beginningless prapanca which leads to the conceptualization of visible objects perceptible outside the mind.[59]
Classical concept of 'Great Being'
From: The Book of the Dead
(1) The great Being has a festival, and the speaker alights upon the path hard by the hill of the dead on this occasion.[60]