Significance of Samskara
Samskara is a significant concept in various Indian spiritual traditions, notably Hinduism, which encompasses subconscious impressions that influence future experiences and karmic cycles. It also refers to essential rituals and ceremonies marking key life events and transitions, serving purificatory purposes and facilitating spiritual growth. In Tibetan Buddhism, it denotes embellishments in communication that dispel doubts. Overall, Samskara embodies the accumulated impressions from past lives that shape an individual's behavior, spiritual journey, and current experiences throughout Hindu culture and philosophy.
Synonyms: Ritual, Ceremony, Rite, Tradition, Sacrament, Cultural practice, Spiritual practice, Religious observance
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Samskara'
Samskara in Buddhism encompasses mental formations shaped by experiences, influencing future actions and consciousness. It signifies impermanent conditions that affect existence and rebirth, embodying the interdependent nature of experiences and perceptions.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Actions or volitional activities that condition consciousness and influence the cycle of rebirth into different destinies.[1] (2) Another term for conditioned dharmas, recognized as formations that are impermanent and dependently originated.[2] (3) Formations or actions generated by previous afflictions, leading to further existence and consciousness.[3]
From: The Mahavastu (great story)
(1) The mental formations or conditions that arise and cease, which play a key role in the Buddha's discourse concerning the nature of existence.[4]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary by Hsuan Hua)
(1) The mental formations and tendencies that shape an individual’s experiences and perceptions.[5]
From: Abhidharmakośa
(1) The imprint of experiences that shape future thoughts and behaviors in the context of mental formations.[6]
From: The Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) A term referring to subsistence or presence in composition, indicating how things exist in relation to one another.[7] (2) Embellishment or enhancement in communication that aids in the removal of doubts.[8]
Hindu concept of 'Samskara'
Samskara in Hinduism encompasses rituals marking life stages—birth, marriage, and death—while also representing latent impressions influencing behavior and spiritual development, crucial for personal growth and social structure within the culture.
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) A text cited in this context that includes rituals surrounding marriage, including the Rakshasa form.[9] (2) A comprehensive term for rituals and ceremonies in Hindu tradition that encompass various life stages and significant events.[10] (3) A reference to the traditions and rituals associated with Hindu practices, particularly mentioned within the context of Viramitrodaya.[11] (4) Refers to tradition or ritual purity, in context of how names and vowels are to be treated within the frameworks of social interactions.[12] (5) A term referring to ritual or cultural practices, relevant in the context of control.[13]
From: Apastamba Grihya-sutra
(1) The rituals and sacrifices performed at various stages of life, including birth, initiation, marriage, and death, reflecting the lifecycle in Hindu culture.[14]
From: Hiranyakesi-grihya-sutra
(1) Ritual ceremonies that serve as important milestones throughout a Hindu's life, including birth, marriage, and death.[15]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) Purificatory rites prescribed by Vedic traditions, which have no rules for the shudras.[16] (2) Rituals or sacraments that mark key stages in a Hindu's life, encompassing a wide range of social and religious practices.[17] (3) Purificatory rites or rituals that are traditionally associated with the twice-born castes, marking significant life events and transitions.[18] (4) Purificatory rites that one must observe after initiation to qualify for further spiritual studies.[19] (5) Purificatory processes or rituals necessary for spiritual elevation.[20]
From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)
(1) Inherent impressions or qualifications from past lives that influence one’s spiritual progress.[21] (2) Impressions or tendencies developed from previous devotional practices, which facilitate one's spiritual growth.[22] (3) Refers to the accumulated impressions from previous births that influence an individual's behavior and experiences in their current life.[23] (4) Impressions made on the heart through devotional practices, which can lead to a gradual development of spiritual desire.[24]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) Rituals performed to honor the deceased, demonstrating respect for those affected by Shri Krishna’s actions.[25]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Impressions and desires from previous lives that influence the living entity's future birth and identity.[26]
From: Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya
(1) Latent impressions or memories that allow for indirect contact with objects through recollection.[27] (2) Latent impressions that influence perception and recollection.[28] (3) Samskaras refer to the rituals and transformative processes that impart spiritual and qualitative changes, as observed through practices like Upanayana.[29] (4) Rituals and sacraments such as Upanayana that potentially enhance spiritual qualities.[30]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Impressions left by past experiences that influence current perceptions, integral to the understanding of how illusions arise.[31] (2) Impressions or potentials that exist before creation, which ensure that the universe does not originate from nothing.[32]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) The mental impressions or conditioning that influence one's perception and experience of reality.[33]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The accumulated mental formations, including desire and aversion, that originate from misconceived views about permanence.[34]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) Deeply rooted tendencies or impressions that shape human desires and actions, which Ishwara is free from, highlighting the difference between Him and man.[35] (2) In Sanskrit, samskaras are the tendencies or latent states built up by the thought-waves, shaping one’s character and responses.[36] (3) The accumulated impressions and tendencies from past actions that influence current behaviors and experiences.[37] (4) Powerful tendencies that drive individuals to repeatedly engage in acts of sin or obstacle-building.[38]
From: Yoga-sutras (Ancient and Modern Interpretations)
(1) Latent impressions or tendencies stored in the mind that influence current behavior and experience.[39] (2) Impressions or patterns of behavior accumulated through cycles of rebirth, making spontaneous liberation challenging.[40] (3) Samskara refers to the impressions or latent tendencies left by actions, which can influence an individual's future experiences or actions.[41]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) A lasting trace or mark left by every sensation, perception, and experience, which remains within a sentient being throughout life and beyond.[42]
From: Shakti and Shakta
(1) Sacramental rites performed at significant life events to purify and prepare the individual for their spiritual journey.[43] (2) Impressions or mental modifications left on the subtle body by past experiences, considered influential in shaping one's current state of being.[44] (3) The tendencies formed by past actions, with Sadhana aimed at confirming good samskaras and eliminating bad ones.[45]
From: Varahi Tantra (English Study)
(1) Consecration rituals performed at various stages of a person's life, which hold significant spiritual and cultural importance.[46] (2) Ritual purifications or consecrations, particularly concerning rosaries made of bones.[47]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) In this context, it refers to the residual impressions left by prior cognitions that influence future cognition and its perceived sequences.[48] (2) An improvement or refinement that refers to the enhancement of the item being cooked, as expressed by the root √pac.[49] (3) The impressions that effectively perfect the mind by processing and organizing previous experiences.[50]
From: Amarakoshodghatana of Kshirasvamin (study)
(1) Rituals performed by a guru to aid the student's spiritual and educational journey.[51]
From: The Bhagavata Purana
(1) Rituals performed to honor the passing of souls, which could relate to the subsequent events of loss and mourning.[52]
From: The Devi Bhagavata Purana
(1) Purificatory ceremonies integral to Vedic rituals, marking various important stages of life.[53]
From: Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra)
(1) Impressions left on the mind by past experiences, influencing the development of the individual according to Samkhya beliefs.[54]
From: Harshacharita (socio-cultural Study)
(1) Religious practices or rites that are performed for purification purposes within Hindu traditions.[55] (2) Rituals and ceremonies marking significant life events in the Hindu tradition, such as initiation and convocation.[56]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The impression or faculty that arises from cognitive experiences, which influences future cognitions.[57]
From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha
(1) The subconscious impressions they leave in the mind, which shape future experiences and karmic cycles.[58]
From: Nyayakusumanjali of Udayana (study)
(1) An impression produced by prior experiences that can lead to recollection long after the initial experience.[59]
The concept of 'Samskara' in local and regional sources
Samskara, in Vedic culture, signifies rituals or sacraments that commemorate significant life events and transitions, emphasizing the importance of these practices in shaping individual identity and spiritual progression within the community.
From: Formal Education System in Ancient India
(1) Rituals or sacraments in Vedic culture that mark significant life events and transitions.[60]