Significance of Intelligence and memory

Intelligence and memory are viewed differently across various traditions. In Tibetan Buddhism, they signify cognitive qualities unrelated to caste. Ayurveda connects them to mental faculties impacted by conditions like epilepsy. Vedanta sees them as inadequate for realizing the Atman, while Dharmashastra discusses them in relation to animals, emphasizing their role in Shraddhas. Science considers intelligence and memory as cognitive functions that can be improved through diet and Ayurvedic practices. Thus, the concept of Intelligence and memory varies significantly across these perspectives.

Synonyms: Cognition, Intellect, Awareness, Insight, Understanding, Recollection, Retention, Recall, Remembrance, Smartness

In Dutch: Intelligentie en geheugen; In Finnish: Älykkyys ja muisti; In Spanish: Inteligencia y memoria; In German: Intelligenz und Gedächtnis

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

Buddhist concept of 'Intelligence and memory'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Intelligence and memory reflect cognitive qualities indicative of mental sharpness and information retention, highlighting that these traits transcend caste distinctions and are universally accessible to individuals regardless of their social status.

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

From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

(1) Cognitive qualities that signify mental acuity and the ability to retain information, which are not necessarily linked to caste.[1]

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.

Hindu concept of 'Intelligence and memory'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, intelligence and memory encompass mental faculties influenced by conditions such as epilepsy, cognitive abilities measured by text retention, and relate to animals, suggesting that all beings participate in Shraddhas, regardless of these traits.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary

(1) The cognitive abilities and the capacity for holding onto information from texts, which are also deemed inadequate for attaining the Atman.[2]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)

(1) Mental faculties that can be affected by conditions like epilepsy, necessitating specific approaches to rehabilitation.[3]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) These qualities are discussed in relation to animals, underlining the idea that even those lacking these traits are still implicated in the performances of Shraddhas.[4]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.