Significance of Material existence
Material existence, as described in various philosophical traditions like Vaishnavism, Purana, Vyakarana, Vedanta, Mahayana, and Theravada, refers to the physical world characterized by suffering, attachment, and the cycle of birth and death. It encapsulates the transient state of living that includes both joys and hardships, governed by physical desires and ignorance. This condition is often seen as a barrier to spiritual liberation, leading devotees to seek transcendence through spiritual practices and divine mercy to escape its inherent challenges and distractions.
Synonyms: Physical existence, Corporeal existence, Substantial existence, Material reality, Physical presence, Concrete reality
In Dutch: Materieel bestaan; In Finnish: Aineellinen olemassaolo; In Spanish: Existencia 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 existence'
In Buddhism, material existence symbolizes the transient nature of life and experiences, characterized by a focus on physical reality and temporal issues, often viewed negatively due to its association with desires and attachment.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) The physical state determining one's life and experiences, simplified as an aspect of transience in Buddhist thought.[1]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The state of being rooted in physical reality and temporal concerns, which is viewed negatively in the context of desires.[2]
Hindu concept of 'Material existence'
In Hinduism, material existence is viewed as a transient state marked by suffering, attachment, and ignorance, involving the cycle of birth and death, contrasted with spiritual liberation achieved through devotion and understanding of divine teachings.
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Refers to life focused on physical and sensory pleasures, often leading individuals away from spiritual realization.[3] (2) The cycle of suffering and limitations that living entities experience when they are ungrateful to Krishna.[4] (3) The worldly life and all its distractions that devotees aim to transcend through spiritual practices.[5] (4) The tangible and transient state of life characterized by physical and worldly attachments.[6] (5) A state of being in the physical world characterized by attachment and suffering, which one can transcend by understanding Lord Caitanya's characteristics.[7]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The temporary and impermanent condition of life characterized by birth, death, and cyclical suffering.[8] (2) The physical and temporal realm in which living entities experience suffering and impermanence, often depicted as an ocean that is difficult to navigate.[9] (3) The worldly life characterized by sense enjoyment and attachment, from which renunciants seek to escape.[10] (4) The temporary and suffering-laden state in which the living entity experiences happiness and distress due to its identification with the body.[11] (5) The state of life characterized by physical form and experiences in the material world, often filled with suffering.[12]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) The endless suffering that is alleviated by the presence of Shri Jagannatha.[13] (2) The state of living in a physical form characterized by bondage to material desires, which the name of Shri Bhagavan can eradicate at its very root.[14] (3) The condition of living in a physical form, often associated with suffering, birth, and death.[15] (4) The insurmountable ocean of samsara, which binds souls in suffering and ignorance.[16] (5) The state of living bound by physical and emotional sufferings, including birth and death.[17]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) The life focused on physical and worldly pleasures, often at the expense of spiritual growth.[18] (2) The state of living in a physical form, which the Alvar is desperately seeking to escape.[19]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) The realm of living characterized by fears and challenges that practitioners seek to transcend through bhakti-yoga.[20] (2) The temporary state of being marked by birth, death, and suffering, which is transcended through devotion.[21]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) A state characterized by physical forms and experiences, often associated with transient happiness and suffering.[22]
From: Chaitanya Mangala
(1) The state of living in the physical realm, often considered inferior to spiritual experiences.[23]
From: Mandukya Upanishad
(1) The aspect of waking experiences that allows objects and entities to have continuous and tangible presence.[24] (2) The state of being in physical form, contrasted with the abstract existence of knowledge and consciousness discussed throughout the text.[25] (3) Refers to the relative existence characterized by the transient states of consciousness such as waking sleep, dream sleep, and deep sleep; this existence is merely an experience and not the ultimate reality.[26]
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) The existence associated with physical forms and worldly phenomena.[27]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The concept referring to the reality of the physical world as constructed from the five elements.[28]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The tangible reality and physicality of the world, distinguished from the spiritual or intellectual understanding.[29] (2) Material existence is seen as transient and of no ultimate consequence, contrasting with the eternal nature of the Intellect.[30]
From: Vakyapadiya (study of the concept of Sentence)
(1) In Bhartrihari's philosophy, the concept of material existence is linked to the speech principle, representing the underlying reality that is expressed through language.[31]
The concept of Material existence in local and regional sources
Material existence emphasizes Frost's pragmatic view, highlighting the importance of appreciating the tangible aspects of nature rather than getting lost in abstract concepts. This perspective values the real-world experiences and sensations that shape human understanding.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Frost's pragmatic acceptance of the world as it is, valuing the tangible reality of nature over abstract ideals.[32]