Significance of Vedana
Synonyms: Sensation, Feeling, Perception, Awareness, Emotion, Experience
In Dutch: Vedana; In German: Vedana; In Finnish: Vedana; In Spanish: Vedana; In Swedish: Vedana; In Malay: Vedana; In French: Vedana
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Vedana'
In Buddhism, Vedana is the feeling or sensation arising from contact with sensory objects. It is a key mental factor categorized as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral, influencing our experience and contributing to craving and suffering, and is absent in Nibbana.
From: The Doctrine of Paticcasamuppada
(1) Vedana is feeling, which arises because of contact and is divided into different kinds, but the main thing is that it is always prevalent on six sense bases whenever there is contact.[1] (2) This is the feeling or sensation that arises depending on contact, and within this experience, there is no sense of self or individuality.[2] (3) Sensation or feeling, which can also be misconstrued as the self or ego.[3] (4) Sensation or feeling; it serves as a link in the chain leading to craving (Tanha) as it influences our desires.[4] (5) Feeling or sensation that arises from contact with sensory objects.[5]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) It is described as feeling and the provided text indicates that atta or soul is described in terms of it.[6] (2) The experience of pleasantness or unpleasantness caused by visual objects.[7] (3) Feelings or sensations that arise in response to sense contact.[8] (4) Feelings that arise from sensory experiences, categorized into three types: pleasant, unpleasant, and indifferent.[9] (5) Feeling or sensation arising from contact (phassa) between a sense organ and an object which can be pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.[10]
From: Patthana Dhamma
(1) This is feeling, which experiences the object and causes the citta to have a feeling, and there are three kinds according to feeling and five according to the faculty of feeling.[11] (2) Feeling; a cetasika that provides awareness of the emotional tone of an experience.[12] (3) The khandha that represents the experience of feeling or sensation.[13] (4) Feeling as one of the universal cetasikas, it is the experience of sensations.[14]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) This is a mental factor that feels the sensation after the mind makes contact with a sense-object, contributing to the experience of the perception.[15] (2) Vedana signifies sensation or feeling, which is absent in Nibbána, differentiating it from other states of being that involve sensory experiences.[16] (3) Vedana means feeling or sensation, representing the experience one has through the six sense objects.[17]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) Feeling or sensation, which encompasses the pleasurable, painful, or neutral experiences.[18] (2) A significant mental state common to all types of consciousness; characterized as a conscious, subjective impression incapable of cognition.[19]
From: Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma
(1) Feeling that arises as a result of contact and is a key component in the chain of dependent origination.[20] (2) Feeling, which entails the experience of sensations as a response to contact.[21]
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) Vedana is feeling, and when the citta has completely come out there are no aches or pains in the body at all, and feeling does not arise.[22] (2) Feelings or sensations that arise in response to experience and impact the mind.[23]
From: Cetasikas
(1) Feeling, a cetasika that experiences sensations related to the object of consciousness, which can be pleasant, unpleasant, or indifferent.[24]
From: Catusacca Dipani
(1) Feeling that arises as a result of phassa, which can be pleasurable, painful, or neutral.[25]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) Feeling, a cetasika that accompanies every citta, responsible for the experience of pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral sensations.[26]
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) Sensation, which is also not considered the self.[27]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Vedana refers to sensation, which the King of Devas was told is of two types.[28]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Vedana, which refers to feeling, is described as mara, indicating the role of sensation in perpetuating suffering.[29] (2) It is because of this that there is joy, and if joy is lost, sadness is experienced, which is a key aspect of understanding the nature of emotions in meditation.[30] (3) Feelings that arise as a result of contact between internal organs and external objects, categorized into unpleasant, pleasant, and neutral feelings.[31] (4) Sensations that include satisfaction, pleasure, or indifference.[32] (5) Refers to sensation or feeling; one of the five aggregates through which experiences are processed in cognitive awareness.[33]
From: Abhidharmakośa
(1) The two mental states, sensation and ideas, are defined as distinct skandhas because they are the causes of the roots of dispute, because they are the causes of transmigration, and also by reason of the causes which justify the order of skandhas.[34]
Hindu concept of 'Vedana'
In Hinduism, Vedana, derived from the root meaning "knowledge" or "perception," encompasses sensations, primarily pain. It's a subjective experience, ranging from pleasant to unpleasant, and is a crucial symptom in assessing various conditions. It's often graded and treated through different Ayurvedic modalities.
From: Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences
(1) These are experiences like Sukha, Dukha, Vichara, Krodha, Kama, etc., that Manas is exposed to.[35] (2) A characteristic of Aashukari Vyadhi (acute disease) along with Aashu Anunnata Shopha, Daha, Jwara, and Pidika.[36] (3) Vedana is a symptom of skin disease, which Vamana helps to reduce, according to literature study.[37] (4) This is the term for pain, a key symptom addressed in the study, and a target for the analgesic properties of the test drugs.[38] (5) This is a condition that Murivennam Tail can be used for, as well as Aamvata, Vrana Ropana, Abhighata, Kustha, and Sandhi Shool.[39]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Torture, a daughter of Anrita (falsehood) and Nikriti (immorality), who married Naraka (hell).[40]
From: Yoga-sutras (with Bhoja’s Rajamartanda)
(1) Taction; knowledge produced by the organ of touch, which enables the recognition of existence.[41]
Jain concept of 'Vedana'
In Jainism, Vedana signifies the experience of feeling, especially pain and anguish. It's linked to sorrowful meditation and is one of the seven overflows of the soul. This term connects to sensations, perceptions, and likely relates to suffering.
From: Gommatsara by Acharya Nemichandra
(1) Vedana refers to anguish, which is one of the seven overflows experienced by souls.[42] (2) This term is associated with 'Svasthana' and 'Marrantic', likely referring to feeling, sensation, or perception.[43]
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) The concept of feeling, encompassing both pleasure and pain, but here specifically referring to pain within the context of sorrowful meditation.[44]
The concept of Vedana in scientific sources
Vedana, in Ayurveda, is a term signifying pain. It's a key symptom across various conditions like Mukhadooshika, Vatakantaka, and Dushta Vrana, serving as a crucial metric for treatment effectiveness. Vedana is also relevant in menstrual disorders, post-surgery, and skin conditions, often assessed to evaluate patient recovery and discomfort.