Significance of Perceiver

The concept of Perceiver plays a crucial role across different philosophical traditions. In Yoga, it refers to the aspect of the mind that observes perceived objects. Vyakarana defines the Perceiver as the entity involved in cognition, interpreting and differentiating external objects. In Vedanta, the Perceiver is viewed as an individual experiencing reality, influenced by Avidya and its illusions. This highlights the importance of the Perceiver in understanding perception and cognition across these traditions.

Synonyms: Observer, Witness, Viewer, Spectator, Discerning person, Beholder, Eye witness

In Finnish: Perceiver; In Dutch: Waarnemer; In Spanish: Perceptor

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

Buddhist concept of 'Perceiver'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, the Perceiver denotes an individual consciousness that actively perceives objects, shaped by the constraints of conceptual content, reflecting the interplay between perception and the inherent limitations of human understanding.

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

(1) An individual or consciousness that engages in the act of perceiving objects, influenced by the limitations of conceptual content.[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 'Perceiver'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, the Perceiver is the individual or mind engaging in cognition, interpreting external objects, and experiencing reality. This process is influenced by Avidya, leading to potential misinterpretations of what is perceived.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

(1) The perceiver is the individual experiencing the dream, and the illusory perception of mirage, etc., is due to the peculiar mental condition of the cognizer.[2] (2) The individual whose perception creates the idea of the external object, which is considered an illusion and not indicative of an independent reality.[3] (3) An individual or entity that experiences or interprets reality, which is affected by Avidya and its resultant illusions.[4]

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 Vyakarana (Sanskrit grammar):
Vyakarana Books

(1) This is one component of the world, along with the perceived, brought about through differentiation, and the knowers of Brahman have declared that this is not real.[5] (2) The perceiver is the individual or entity engaged in the process of cognition, differentiating and interpreting external objects based on their properties.[6]

Vyakarana refers to Sanskrit grammar and represents one of the six additional sciences (vedanga) to be studied along with the Vedas. Vyakarana concerns itself with the rules of Sanskrit grammar and linguistic analysis in order to establish the correct context of words and sentences.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

(1) The individual or the aspect of the mind that experiences or observes the perceived objects, playing a vital role in the process of perception.[7]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).