Anityasamjna, Anitya-samjna, Anityasaṃjñā: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Anityasamjna means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Anityasaṃjñā (अनित्यसंज्ञा) refers to the “concept of impermanence” and represents one of the “ten concepts” (saṃjñā), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 37. Accordingly, “the concept associated with the wisdom that considers all conditioned dharmas (saṃskṛtadharma) to be impermanent (anitya) is called the concept of impermanence (anityasaṃjñā)”.
The Yogin who possesses this concept of impermanence (anityasaṃjñā) converts beings, saying to them: “All dharmas are impermanent; do not become attached to the notion of eternalism; you will then lose the opportunity to practice the Path”.
The concept of impermanence (anityasaṃjñā) is synonymous with the noble Path (āryamārga). The Buddha designated the Path by all kinds of different names: sometimes he called it the four foundations of mindfulness, sometimes he called it the four Truths, sometimes the notion of impermanence.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Anityasaṃjñā (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 無常 [wú cháng]: “impermanent”.
2) 無常想 [wú cháng xiǎng]: “conception of impermanence”.
Note: anityasaṃjñā can be alternatively written as: anitya-saṃjñā.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Anitya, Samjna.
Full-text: Wu chang xiang, Duhkhasamjna, Dashasamjna, Wuchang, Samjna.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Anityasamjna, Anitya-samjna, Anitya-saṃjñā, Anityasaṃjñā; (plurals include: Anityasamjnas, samjnas, saṃjñās, Anityasaṃjñās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
I. The concept of impermanence (anitya-saṃjñā) < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]
Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts
VI. Logical order of the ten concepts < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]