Significance of Present
Synonyms: Gift, Donation, Offering, Performance, Appearance, Current, Existing, Contemporary
In Dutch: Cadeau; In German: Gegenwärtig; In Finnish: Esittää; In Spanish: Presente
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Present'
In Buddhism, "Present" encompasses both the concept of gifts or rewards bestowed for acknowledgment of work, particularly by a brahmin, and signifies the essential quality of existence in any given moment.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The only characteristic of the ‘present’ is that it should be existent.[1] (2) The current time, defined as the moment that is alive or active at any given instant.[2]
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Gifts or rewards given to the brahmin, which he demanded in exchange for commending the smiths' work.[3]
From: Mulamadhyamaka-karika (English)
(1) The immediate time that exists, which is perceived in relation to both the past and the future.[4]
Hindu concept of 'Present'
In Hinduism, "Present" embodies various meanings: it can signify strategic gifts to influence greed, tokens of honor, expressions of generosity, offerings for companionship, marriage exchanges, or deceitful gifts aimed at extracting value.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Gifts or rewards used as a strategy to influence those who exhibit greed.[5] (2) Gifts or offerings that may be exchanged or received during the marriage process, notably by the father of the bride in the context of mutual desire.[6] (3) An additional gift accompanying food, indicating generosity beyond the basic offerings provided.[7] (4) Items given as gifts to show honour and recognition, particularly to respected persons like the Brahmanas.[8] (5) Gifts brought by the fraudster as part of the deceit to extract something of greater value in return.[9]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The power that manifests and reveals objects.[10] (2) The state or condition of something that has begun but is not yet complete, contrasting with residual traces or future intentions.[11] (3) The current moment in time, where objects are made visible through the power of permission.[12] (4) The current moment in time that enables visibility and perception, symbolically representing light.[13] (5) Indicates the current time; signifies what is happening now.[14]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) the state of being existent or available at a particular time.[15] (2) bhavad represents the current moment or state of existence.[16] (3) Refers to the state of the children being available or there at the time of the incident in question.[17] (4) Referring to the current time or state of existence, as contrasted with past or future.[18]
From: Prem Sagar (English translation)
(1) Gifts given by Nanda Jee during the celebrations.[19]
From: Padma Purana
(1) The offering that Maya requires from Vihunda in exchange for her companionship, specifically the worship of Shiva.[20]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) Gifts exchanged during the wedding, serving as tokens of love and commitment between the bride and groom.[21]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Refers to the current time or circumstance in which the described actions or feelings are taking place.[22]
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The current moment in time that one experiences and lives in.[23]
From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara’s Commentary
(1) What is not conditioned by time, representing the current moment independent from past or future.[24]
The concept of Present in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Present" denotes the fleeting nature of the current moment, lacking permanence, while also highlighting how our current experiences are influenced by past conditioning. It embodies both temporal and experiential dimensions.
From: Self-Knowledge in Krishnamurti’s Philosophy
(1) Current experience and perception that is shaped by past conditioning.[25]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) Categorically undefined, it refers to the current 'MOMENT' which is considered momentary and has no substantial existence in the time domain.[26]