Breath: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Breath 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.
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In Hinduism
Yoga (school of philosophy)
Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch1) The Breath is known in Sanskrit as Pavana, and is various Yogic exercises, according to the Dattātreyayogaśāstra verse 35-38ab.—Accordingly, while describing the lotus pose (padmāsana): “[...] Having lifted the uvula with the tongue; having fixed the chin on the chest and having drawn in the breath (pavana) slowly according to his capacity, he should fill [the region of] the stomach. After that, he should exhale the breath (pavana) slowly according to his capacity. This is said to be padmāsana, which destroys all diseases”.
2) (That which is) Breath is denoted by the Sanskrit term Prāṇa (as opposed to Aprāṇa—‘breathless’), according to the Muṇḍakopaniṣad 2.1.2-3:.—Accordingly, while describing Brahma and the mind: “For, the [cosmic] man is divine, formless, outside and inside [of everything], unborn, breathless (aprāṇa), mindless, radiant and higher than the highest imperishable one”.
3) The Breath can denoted by the Sanskrit terms Marut or Vāyu, according to the Vivekamārtaṇḍa 94ab-95: “So long as the breath is held in the body, then the mind is supportless [in meditation ...]. So long as the breath (marut) is in the body, the soul is not released [from it]. The [breath’s] departure is death. Therefore, one should restrain the breath (vāyu) [in the body]”.
4) The Breath can also be denoted by the Sanskrit term Samīraṇa, according to the Haṭhapradīpikā of Svātmārāma: an influential 15th-century Sanskrit manual on Hatha-Yoga dealing with techniques to channel one’s vital energy.—Accordingly, “There are two causes of mental activity; habitual tendencies and the breath (samīraṇa). When one of [these] two [causes] disappears, [then] both [the other cause and mental activity] also disappear”.
Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Khyentse Vision: Succinct Notes on the Eight Sessions Mind TrainingThe Breath (Cf. Breathing) refers to one of the topics for mind-training (in Tibetan: lojong) forming part of the Eight Sessions Mind Training.—Cf. the “Succinct Notes on the Eight Sessions Mind Training”—an instructional text on mind training (lojong) in the form of notes based on teachings given by Könchok Tenpa Rabgye (1801–1866)—one of Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo’s masters from the Geluk tradition.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Breath control, Breathing, Breathing exercise, Breathless.
Query error!
Full-text (+1851): Pranayama, Recaka, Kumbhaka, Shvasa, Prana, Vayu, Ucchvasa, Dharana, Nishvasa, Pranasamyama, Pranarodha, Shvasana, Prananigraha, Tami, Marut, Pavana, Ana, Dama, Pranavayu, Kanthagata.
Relevant text
Search found 437 books and stories containing Breath, The breath, Breaths; (plurals include: Breaths, The breaths, Breathses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section CLXXXV < [Mokshadharma Parva]
Section CLXXXVII < [Mokshadharma Parva]
Section CCCXVII < [Mokshadharma Parva]
Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya) (by Ganganatha Jha)
Section 1.5 (fifth khaṇḍa) (five texts) < [Chapter 1 - First Adhyāya]
Section 1.2 (second khaṇḍa) (fourteen texts) < [Chapter 1 - First Adhyāya]
Section 5.1 (first khaṇḍa) (fifteen texts) < [Chapter 5 - Fifth Adhyāya]
Svacchandatantra (history and structure) (by William James Arraj)
Svacchandatantra, chapter 7 (Summary) < [Summaries]
Chapter 4.2: The Rites of Joining < [Summaries]
Svacchandatantra, chapter 6 (Summary) < [Summaries]
Satapatha-brahmana (by Julius Eggeling)
Kanda VII, adhyaya 5, brahmana 1 < [Seventh Kanda]
Kanda I, adhyaya 5, brahmana 4 < [First Kanda]
Kanda VI, adhyaya 1, brahmana 1 < [Sixth Kanda]
The body in early Hatha Yoga (by Ruth Westoby)
After lives < [Conclusion: Bodily sovereignty]
Blocking the entrance with her mouth < [Chapter 5 - Kuṇḍalinī: the matter of emotion]
Kuṇḍalinī technique: Strike < [Chapter 5 - Kuṇḍalinī: the matter of emotion]
Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification) (by Ñāṇamoli Bhikkhu)
(9) Mindfulness of Breathing < [Chapter VIII - Other Recollections as Meditation Subjects]
Chapter XVIII - Purification of View (diṭṭhi-visuddhi-niddesa) < [Part 3 - Understanding (Paññā)]
Six Recollections (Introduction) < [Chapter VII - Six Recollections (Cha-anussati-niddesa)]
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