Significance of Priest
Synonyms: Cleric, Minister, Pastor, Reverend, Clergyman, Ecclesiastic, Holy man, Spiritual leader, Friar, Padre, Preacher, Father, Chaplain
In Malay: Imam; In Dutch: Priester; In German: Priester; In Finnish: Pappi; In Portugese: Padre; In Spanish: Sacerdote; In Italian: Sacerdote; In Swedish: Präst; In French: Prêtre; In Polish: Kapłan
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Priest'
In Buddhism, "Priest" signifies teachers, exemplified by Sakka's veneration of the paccekabuddha. Priests hold a position of respect and guidance, akin to instructors, within the Buddhist framework.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) Priests are considered to be in the place of teachers, according to Sakka, explaining why he venerates the paccekabuddha despite his own high status.[1]
Hindu concept of 'Priest'
In Hinduism, a Priest is a multifaceted figure. They are highly respected, receiving significant compensation and are involved in rituals, sacrifices, and ceremonies. They perform prayers, offer counsel, and are responsible for spiritual duties, advising the king, and invoking blessings. Their roles include performing rituals, chanting, and participating in important ceremonies.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) The text refers to the appointing of these individuals at the Agnihotra, where one shall pour the libations or have it poured.[2] (2) An individual appointed to perform duties at a sacrifice, such as those of the Hotri, Adhvaryu, or Udgatri, according to shrauta-rules.[3] (3) This individual is generally not to be made a witness in any kind of suit.[4] (4) This is the person who performs the priestly duties, and the text provides guidance on what happens when they abandon their work after the fees are paid.[5] (5) The Priest is someone who, along with the Acarya, the Accomplished Student, and the King, is mentioned as deserving the Cow-honey-mixture.[6]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) One shall salute an officiating one, even if they are younger, by rising to meet them or silently embracing their feet.[7]
From: Baudhayana Dharmasutra
(1) These individuals must wear dresses that have been washed and dried by the wind, ensuring they are not in bad condition. They also perform sacred rites wearing red turbans and red dresses.[8]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)
(1) These are individuals skilled in specific practices and possess knowledge of sacred texts and their various components.[9] (2) They were arrayed in pure linen robes, they prayed, proclaimed the festal day to all.[10] (3) These are the individuals who will install the monarch to preserve everyone.[11] (4) Priest is a person that Dasharatha is requested to bring with him to Janak's town so that he may see his son and fulfill his promise.[12] (5) The group of people who began the rite and are now distressed because the horse was stolen.[13]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The priest officiated the sacrifice and was later found being grilled in a terrible hell for the outcome of having officiated in the sacrifice.[14] (2) A person who had been sent by the king of the Pancalas to the Kurus, likely carrying a message or serving as an emissary.[15]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Shastri)
(1) Priests were assembled by Rama along with ministers to address the circumstances surrounding Durvasa's visit and the vow.[16]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) They attempt to dissuade Prahlada from his beliefs, emphasizing his father's importance and the traditions of their family, highlighting the conflict between traditional authority and individual conviction.[17]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) The individual responsible for carrying out the sacrificial duties, including meditations, and is compensated for the entire sacrificial work, according to the view presented by Audulomi.[18] (2) Individuals who offer the body, with funeral ceremonies, and use mantras, and offer the body into the crematory fire, and are connected to the sacrificer.[19] (3) The priest is one of the elements mentioned, and the priest is part of the particulars mentioned in the Taittiriyaka, not in the Chandogya.[20] (4) The text consistently refers to this individual as the one who performs the prayers and meditations related to the sacrifice, with the outcomes of these actions being for the benefit of the sacrificer.[21]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)
(1) These individuals will receive a certain amount of money from the speaker, and the speaker is willing to give the same amount to each of the guests.[22] (2) The priest is the individual responsible for performing the remedial action, which involves offering oblations into the Dakshinagni fire to counteract harm done by mistakes in the Yajuh.[23] (3) A religious figure who performs rituals and ceremonies, often involving sacrifices.[24]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) All the priests join in the singing, and the adhvaryu is not to sing, according to the general injunction.[25] (2) These individuals are responsible for the entire sacrificial performance, encompassing all activities, both mental and physical, as indicated by instructions such as choosing the priests and giving them their fee, and are qualified for the sacrifice.[26]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The Priest is a role, and the text describes the priestly functions that the individual was asked to take up.[27]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The individual who performs the meditations connected with the sacrificial acts.[28]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Priests, including the Hotri, Adhvaryu, and Agnidhra, play crucial roles in the sacrifice, and their actions and utterances must be carefully coordinated to ensure its success.[29] (2) The priests drink again and again by turns, which is why the seasons and months succeed one another by turns, securing the seasons by means of the priests.[30] (3) They officiate during both the Prayaniya and Udayaniya, maintaining consistency in the ritual unless they are unable to, in which case others may take their place.[31] (4) The priest, or brahmana, knows and recites the kindling verses, blazing like the fire and being unassailable and unapproachable.[32] (5) They envelop him with a skin by means of the fire, and they strengthen the sacrifice, and they, along with the sacrificer, have one prayer in common, 'May we reach the end of the sacrifice!'[33]
From: Kautilya Arthashastra
(1) The text mentions priests who are granted Brahmadeya lands, which yield sufficient produce and are exempted from taxes and fines, demonstrating their valued role in the social and religious structure.[34] (2) A religious figure who performs rituals, such as waving lights, and invoking blessings on horses, as part of the care.[35] (3) This individual, along with the sacrificial priest, the teacher, the minister, the commander of the army, the heir-apparent prince, the mother of the king, and the queen shall (each receive) 48,000 (panas per annum).[36]
From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya
(1) The priest is responsible for counseling the king about good and evil courses of action, providing guidance on moral and ethical decisions.[37]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Religious figures who perform rituals and ceremonies, specifically in this context, they are addressing the act of touching unwashed clothes.[38]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Priests are part of the company that dances and sings in front of Bhagavan along with the king, contributing to the joyful nama-sankirtana.[39]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) An individual who selects a spot to the north-east of the dwelling place to fix the altar.[40] (2) This is a member of the perpetually ailing class who is constantly engaged in religious duties and fails to attend to his bodily good, making them susceptible to health issues.[41]
From: Bharadvaja-srauta-sutra
(1) These are the individuals who join in the chanting of the Stotra, along with the sacrificer, during the ritual.[42] (2) Individuals invoked in the eastern quarter, along with the gods, to bring brightness.[43]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) The officiating priest is the person who begins the worship of Hari (Vishnu) in the manner prescribed in the tantra, after bringing together the necessary materials.[44]
Jain concept of 'Priest'
In Jainism, a priest holds significant religious importance as a "man-jewel." They are a spiritual figure and a chief jewel, indicating their high status. Historically, priests, along with other key figures, were dismissed by the King.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The priest, Indrasharman, was appointed by the village and dismissed travelers from the temple, warning the Blessed One of the cruel Vyantara and his potential to cause death during the night.[45] (2) This is one of the seven five-sensed jewels that appeared for Jaya.[46] (3) The priest was considered a chief jewel, and was dismissed by the King along with other important figures.[47] (4) A spiritual figure, one of the four men-jewels, signifying religious importance.[48]
The concept of Priest in local and regional sources
The term "Priest" encompasses diverse roles: from figures embodying spiritual decline and societal power dynamics to those involved in rituals, knowledge, and community. They can be associated with tradition, reform, manipulation, or simply, religious practice, and are often central to narratives of kings, ceremonies, and societal values.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) The priests held the initial government power and were the source of all learning, marking the beginning of the historical trajectory of nations and the evolution of leadership.[49] (2) A member of the highest caste, from whom emperors trace their descent, highlighting the importance of social divisions and religious hierarchy.[50] (3) They are an evil in every country. They denounce and criticize, pulling at one string until others are out of place.[51] (4) This is a religious role that the speaker clarifies they do not hold, distinguishing their position.[52] (5) This individual is the historian whose influence can determine the lasting legacy of the king and his family, affecting their fame and glory.[53]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The Priest arrives with a child in his arms, reporting that the child has died after being run over by a chariot, bringing news of the tragic event to the court.[54] (2) In towns and villages, they are the bane of society, living on their flock and passing their time in holding afternoon assemblies.[55] (3) The text mentions that the role they play is important in every community and family.[56] (4) Self-appointed priests are described as the second oldest profession and the first deluders of mankind, who invented answers rather than pursuing explanations through investigation.[57] (5) This person gives the funny answer, "looks blue to me," when asked about the white horse on the wall.[58]
From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints
(1) The priests are questioned by the messengers and later seized, facing accusations of deception regarding the whereabouts of Kanhopatra.[59] (2) This individual was responsible for selecting a bride for the son and guiding the wedding ceremony.[60] (3) The priest is the messenger who made the agreement and is responsible for conveying messages and facilitating the marriage arrangements, as shown in the text.[61] (4) The Brahman sought information from this person, inquiring about the location of the merchant Savalasa's residence and showing the cheque.[62] (5) Religious figures in the text who are involved in the conversation with Ramdas regarding the idol.[63]
From: Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang)
(1) Approximately a thousand priests reside in the five sangharamas, indicating a substantial religious community and influence.[64] (2) There are a few "priests", who study indeed, but without any wish to excel, suggesting a limited number of religious figures who engage in scholarly pursuits without a strong desire for distinction.[65] (3) There are about 700 in three sangharamas in this country, and they all study the Little Vehicle, highlighting the presence of religious institutions.[66] (4) There are only a few of them in the many religious places, suggesting a limited number of religious figures.[67] (5) There are about 2000 priests who study both the Great and Little Vehicle, demonstrating the presence of a substantial Buddhist clergy and diverse philosophical traditions.[68]
From: Village Folk-tales of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), vol. 1-3
(1) These individuals were part of the procession, participating in the religious ceremony to drive away the locusts.[69]
The concept of Priest in scientific sources
Priest, in this context, refers to individuals who recognize the limitations of solely using English in communication, especially in winning elections or connecting deeply with a region.
From: Religions Journal (MDPI)
(1) Priests are ordained ministers in the Catholic Church, some of whom were accused of sexual abuse, leading to significant challenges for the church and its leadership in addressing the crisis and protecting children from further harm.[70] (2) The priests, also referred to as purohits, are identified as ritual specialists and interlocutors, indicating their involvement in performing religious rituals and engaging with others in religious contexts.[71] (3) They should not turn the confessional into a merciless courtroom but apply themselves with moderation to their double role of being a judge and a physician.[72] (4) An individual who has the authority to manage offerings, including using them to assist those in need.[73] (5) "Priests" recommended that each family should perform food blessings on their own during the festive Easter breakfast because of the church closures in 2020.[74]
Classical concept of 'Priest'
From: The Liturgy of Funerary Offerings
(1) A religious figure identified as 'Sem'. This individual presents spring fruit, flowers, and vegetables to Osiris Unas during a particular event.[75] (2) The Sem priest has a role in the ceremony; the priest is responsible for the presentation of the Green Seshet grain.[76] (3) The priest is the one presenting the Senu wine.[77] (4) An individual officiating the ritual, specifically presenting the offerings of wine to the deity.[78] (5) The priest, identified as the Sem priest, plays a role in the ceremony by presenting two vessels of Sekhpet grain to Osiris Unas.[79]
From: The History of Herodotus
(1) These individuals were questioned and punished by Cambyses for their explanations regarding the appearance and significance of a deity.[80] (2) The priests were one of the seven classes of Egyptians, and they received special privileges, such as land free from imposts.[81] (3) An individual with eyes bound, led by two wolves to the temple of Demeter, as part of a feast celebrated by the Egyptians.[82] (4) "The priests" provide accounts of historical events, including the stories of Helen's arrival in Egypt and the events surrounding the Trojan War, based on their inquiries and knowledge.[83] (5) Individuals who recounted the names of kings from a papyrus roll, providing details about their reigns and notable achievements, such as the works of Moris.[84]
From: The Iliad of Homer (English translation)
(1) The priest Chryses is the key to the Achaeans ending the pestilence, as he prays to Apollo to stop harming them after Agamemnon releases his daughter and makes a sacrifice.[85]
From: Aesop's Fables (English translation)
(1) The Priest is mentioned as someone who could slay the Lamb in sacrifice, representing a potential danger within the Temple, as warned by the Wolf.[86]
From: Legends Of The Gods
(1) The priests celebrate doleful rites and exhibit a gilded ox covered with a black linen cloth, representing the grief of Isis, as part of their ceremonies.[87] (2) They express abhorrence towards the sea and salt, referring to salt as Typhon's foam, and they avoid speaking to pilots.[88] (3) Priests, specifically those called Sealers, played a crucial role in the sacrificial process, marking acceptable bullocks with a specific seal to validate them.[89] (4) The priests entirely abstain from all sorts of fish in general, which is different from the general population, demonstrating the special role of priests.[90] (5) Individuals devoted to serving deities, some of whom abstain from alcoholic beverages in certain temples, while others use it sparingly, especially those at Heliopolis.[91]
From: Development of Religion and Thought in Ancient Egypt
(1) The priests narrated how Amon had gone from one great sanctuary to the other, establishing himself as the god of each place, such as Atum at Heliopolis and Ptah at Memphis.[92] (2) The priests played a significant role in the development of beliefs surrounding the afterlife, devising charms and rituals for gain and influencing moral perceptions.[93] (3) The text describes the dead Pharaoh serving as a "priest" before Re, bearing a jar, which signifies a religious role and duty in the afterlife.[94] (4) The priest addresses the Sun-god, recalling the time when the god sat high on the sacred ben, and the priest commends the pyramid to the whole Ennead.[95]
From: Egypt Through The Stereoscope
(1) A priest wearing a panther skin is depicted pouring a libation of water and offering burning incense.[96] (2) The priests of the modest prehistoric sanctuary affirmed that Osiris was buried there, making it the holiest spot in Egypt.[97] (3) During the Empire, the priest became a power in the state, replacing the barons of the Middle Kingdom and the functionaries of the Old Kingdom.[98]
From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World
(1) The priests proclaimed that the lost Osiris was found because he had then entered into the ark of the moon where the light was once more safe.[99] (2) Certain ones were appointed to be ministers to the ka, and these made the offerings to the ka of the deceased on behalf of the living relatives.[100]
From: The Book of the Dead
(1) This person, whose official title was kher heb, recited the prayers, and the sem or setem did so, presented the prescribed offerings.[101] (2) During the period of the pyramid texts, sections were said or sung by "priests", assisted by the deceased's family.[102]
From: Egyptian Magic
(1) A priest skilled in magic was believed to possess almost boundless power, capable of healing, casting out evil spirits, restoring the dead, and more.[103]
From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1
(1) Refers to individuals divided into classes who ministered to deities, including those who served at certain hours, servants of the gods, holy fathers, and libationers.[104]
From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
(1) The text identifies priests as being buried in coffins made of cedar wood, showing a special status afforded to them in death.[105]
From: The Egyptian Heaven and Hell
(1) They are the ones who would remove any texts, figures, or details which they found inconvenient for their views.[106]
From: The Liturgy of Funerary Offerings
(1) It is an individual identified as Sem who presents two vessels containing a specific drink.[107]