Significance of Material cause
Material cause, as understood in various Indian philosophical traditions, refers to the substance or principle from which an entity originates. In Hinduism, it is essential for comprehending causation through frameworks like Sankhya and Vedanta. Jainism sees it as contributing to experiences like suffering and pleasure, while Tibetan Buddhism emphasizes it as the basis for creation. In Vaishnavism, it represents the substance necessary for creation, highlighting the Supreme Lord's role. Material cause is a crucial concept across these philosophies, linking substances to their effects and existence.
Synonyms: Physical cause, Substance, Matter, Composition
In Dutch: Materiële oorzaak; In Finnish: Aineellinen syy; In Spanish: Causa material
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Material cause'
In Buddhism, Material cause encompasses the essential components, substances, and influences shaping existence and effects, emphasizing the relationship between cognition, corporeal forms, and the inadequacy of destruction due to a lack of substance.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The underlying physical factor that produces things, particularly in the context of corporeal objects being formed where the cause is located.[1] (2) Refers to the underlying reason or source that explains the existence of the Tree and other things as posited by the theist.[2] (3) The substance or source from which something originates, specifically referring to the conditions or elements that contribute directly to the existence of an effect.[3] (4) The reason or source of the existence and qualities of the body and other things, which is influenced by an intelligent being.[4]
Hindu concept of 'Material cause'
In Hinduism, Material cause includes concepts such as Pradhana as the basis of material energy, with Brahman serving as the source of the universe and Maya as the essence from which all material objects arise.
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The substance or elements from which something is made, always requiring a knowledgeable agent for production.[5] (2) The philosophical claim that Brahman serves as the actual substance from which the world is made, viewed as incorrect per the text.[6] (3) The essential substance or source from which something arises, in this context referring to Brahman as the origin of all beings.[7] (4) The inherent potentialities and prior qualities of the beings that are created, which ultimately dictate their new forms and statuses.[8] (5) The essence of the universe as explained by the Pradhana, which is non-intelligent, undergoes changes, and is under the supervision of Brahman.[9]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The concept that Brahman is the underlying cause of the universe, indicating that all effects arising from it are fundamentally the same as Brahman.[10] (2) The underlying elements and components that give rise to the physical form of the body in this life, derived from the previous existence.[11] (3) The reason or origin from which something comes into existence, in this context referring specifically to food's role in the creation and sustenance of the annamaya and other bodies.[12] (4) Refers to the type of cause that transforms into its effect, exemplified by clay becoming a pot.[13] (5) The essential substance or origin from which objects, such as earth, arise and exist in space.[14]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The underlying substance or basis from which something originates; in this context, it refers to Prana being seen as the foundational element of the mind.[15] (2) The fundamental basis or source of creation from which the effect is derived; in this context, it refers to Brahman.[16] (3) The idea that proposes God should be recognized as not just the efficient cause, but also the underlying substance or essence of the universe.[17] (4) The fundamental reason or substance from which something is made, in this context referring to Brahman being the underlying essence of the world.[18] (5) The term material cause describes Brahman's role in the creation of the world, indicating that it is fundamentally responsible for existence.[19]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The underlying source or reason for the existence of the universe, with Maya being identified as the material cause of all elements of matter and material objects.[20] (2) The substance or agent that brings about change or produces an effect, as discussed in the context of the Sankhya versus Vedanta debate.[21] (3) The concept that the attributeless Brahman serves as the source or material cause of the universe.[22] (4) Refers to the original substance from which something arises, indicating the relationship between Brahman and the created forms like clay and pots.[23] (5) Refers to Brahman being the fundamental substance or essence from which all creation (such as akasha and other elements) is derived.[24]
From: Prasthanatrayi Swaminarayan Bhashyam (Study)
(1) The concept discussed in the Brahmasutras regarding the origin of forms, claiming Parabrahman to be the basis of creation without being subject to mayic nature.[25] (2) A facet of Aksharabrahman indicating that it is not only a transformative force but also involved in the physical creation of the universe.[26] (3) The substance or matter from which something is created; in this case, it refers to maya, the primordial matter of the universe.[27] (4) The substance or essence from which the universe is created, attributed to Parabrahman.[28]
From: Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
(1) The substance or element that serves as the basis for the generation of new forms or realities, referred to as upadana.[29] (2) The fundamental basis or cause of physical existence as discussed in the context of the elements constituting the body.[30] (3) Brahman is referred to as the indirect source for the existence of the material substance.[31]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Refers to the physical substance from which something is made, such as clay, as part of the discussion on the transformation of causes to effects.[32]
From: Shiva Gita (study and summary)
(1) The substance or matter out of which something is created, as discussed in the context of Lord Shiva being the Upadana karana.[33]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) In philosophy, the fundamental substance or underlying element from which all products arise; here, represented by clay or gold.[34]
From: Mundaka Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) The underlying basis of embodied existence, which is referred to as 'this seed' in the context of spiritual inquiry.[35]
From: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
(1) The concept that the same Being is referred to as both the material cause of the universe and identified via qualities such as Knowledge and Bliss.[36]
From: Prashna Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) The underlying principle explaining the essence of matter and life in the universe, described as two-fold; subtle and dense.[37]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The originating factor from which the material world is produced; without it, there can be no existence.[38] (2) The underlying reason for the existence of material objects, asserting that without a prior cause, the sensible mind and objects cannot exist.[39] (3) The substance or reality from which something is made, as linked to the essence of Brahma in creation.[40] (4) The original element or reason that results in the manifestation of the world and its creations.[41] (5) The physical origin that is thought to produce the material world; questioned in the context of the text.[42]
From: Shiva Purana
(1) A philosophical term referring to Vayu as the fundamental reason behind the fiery principle of creation.[43] (2) The fundamental source from which the universe originates; associated with Brahma.[44] (3) A term referring to the substance that forms the basis of the universe's existence.[45] (4) The origin or substance from which earthly forms are manifested, associated with the nature of perception.[46]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The physical basis that exists in all beings, yet they manifest and perish in different ways.[47] (2) The physical item that contributes to an action, such as an axe in the act of cutting.[48]
From: Sanatsujatiya (English translation)
(1) The foundational source from which all physical entities originate, highlighting the relationship between existence and non-existence.[49]
From: Anugita (English translation)
(1) The fundamental substance or principle that underlies all embodied selves.[50]
From: Matsya Purana (critical study)
(1) The underlying substance or principle from which effects or products emerge; in Samkhyas, this is represented by Prakriti.[51]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The fundamental reason or source that brings material existence into being.[52] (2) One of the triple causes of creation, referring to the substance from which things are made.[53] (3) One of the roles of the Supreme Lord, indicating He is the source and sustainer of all existence.[54] (4) Refers to the idea that the Lord is the origin and source of the universe, creating all things yet remaining unaffected by their transformations.[55] (5) The fundamental basis for creation; the Supreme Lord as the entity from which the material world originates.[56]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Pradhana as the ingredient or causal element of material energy.[57] (2) Refers to the substance or elements contributing to the creation of something.[58]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) The substance or materials used to create something, exemplified as the earth in making an earthen pot.[59]
From: Sri Krishna-Chaitanya
(1) The physical elements or forces that bring an entity or occurrence into existence.[60]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The physical component responsible for the manifestation of a quality, in this case, the object that embodies distance or proximity.[61] (2) The essential element that contributes to the formation of substances.[62] (3) A term referring to the basis or substrate responsible for causing an effect, such as sound being produced.[63] (4) Material causes pertain to the physical substances that constitute an object, which are distinguished from efficient causes in the provided text.[64] (5) The material cause refers to the underlying element from which effects or phenomena arise, such as the Self being the material cause for Pleasure.[65]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) In the context of reflections, it refers to the original object that provides substance for the reflection, as opposed to the reflection being merely a property of the medium.[66] (2) The primary substance or element that serves as the basis for creating something, as illustrated by gold being the material cause of earrings.[67] (3) The universal exists in the material cause of an object, regardless of whether it is eternal or otherwise.[68] (4) The substance, such as fuel in a lamp, that provides the basis for its outputs, like light or sound.[69] (5) The substance or matter from which a product is made, in contrast to the product itself.[70]
From: Sivaprakasam (Study in Bondage and Liberation)
(1) The substance or element that brings about a certain effect; in this context, 'karmamala' is referred to as the material cause of pleasure-pain experiences.[71] (2) The foundational substance from which the universe arises, identified as maya in this context.[72] (3) Refers to maya, which acts as the physical aspect influencing the individual self in relation to 'anavamala'.[73]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra)
(1) Physical elements that alone are not sufficient to induce changes in life-states.[74] (2) The physical basis or reason for the existence of something, which in this context relates to subtlety only existing in the noumenal.[75]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) The fundamental substances or elements that constitute the physical body or material objects.[76]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The notion that the Veda is not the physical substance from which sound and other experiences are created.[77] (2) Considers the essence or substance from which the world is formed, questioning whether it is dependent on something material or an abstract idea.[78]
From: Nyayakusumanjali of Udayana (study)
(1) The physical substance that contributes to the production of an effect.[79]
From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha
(1) The substance or principle that gives rise to the existence of another entity, forming a conceptual basis for understanding causation in Sankhya philosophy.[80]
Jain concept of 'Material cause'
In Jainism, the Material cause signifies the substances or elements that influence experiences like pleasure and suffering, as well as the states of living and death, playing a crucial role in the cycle of existence.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) Substances or elements contributing to the realization of various states such as pleasure, suffering, living, and death.[81]
The concept of Material cause in local and regional sources
Material cause, in this context, pertains to Prakriti as the foundational essence from which the universe originates, emphasizing its role as the primary substance from which all material reality develops.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The concept of Prakriti as the source or essence from which the world emerges.[82]