Cho, Chö: 10 definitions
Introduction:
Cho means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, biology. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Chho.
Ambiguity: Although Cho has separate glossary definitions below, it also represents an alternative spelling of the word Co.
Images (photo gallery)
(+32 more images available)
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
1) Chö is another name for Chöd—a meditative practice found in both the Buddhist and Bön traditions of Tibet. Chöd, translated literally as “cutting through”, incorporates chanting, music, and visualization aimed as cutting through hindrances and obscurations that cloud ultimate wisdom and understanding of emptiness—the ultimate nature of reality.
2) Chö (in Tibetan: gcod) — Literally, “severance,” or “cutting through,” a meditative practice, probably stemming from India, introduced to Tibet within the Shijé school by Machik Lapdrön. Chö aims to sever attachment to self through a variety of contemplations, the most dramatic of which involves the visualized offering of one's cut-up body to various gods, titans, and animals. Chö practices are found to this day in most Tibetan traditions
Chö or Chöd (gcod, lit. “to sever”) is a spiritual practice found primarily in the Yundrung Bön tradition as well as in the Nyingma and Kagyu schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Chöd means “cutting through the ego” and the associated practices are based on the Prajñāpāramitā Sūtras, which expound the “emptiness” concept of Buddhist philosophy. According to Mahāyāna, emptiness is the ultimate wisdom of understanding that all things lack inherent existence. Chöd combines Prajñāpāramitā philosophy with specific meditation methods and Tantric ritual.
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.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Chö is a very expedient Mahayana Buddhist practice primarily aimed at reducing and eliminating one’s sense of ego or attachment to oneself, using the tactics of fear and selfless giving. Chö, which literally means ‘cutting off’, uses the techniques of fear and practice of giving as a way to ‘cut off’ one’s attachment to self. In Buddhist psychoanalysis, of the many things people possess and cherish, they are most attached to our body. They live in constant fear of either damaging or losing it. Thus, the most powerful practice of giving is also giving the gift of the precious body. In the Jātaka tales, we find the Buddha sacrifice his body many times for the sake of others.
The Chö practice uses people’s intense attachment to the body and the fearing of losing it as paths to enlightenment by giving the body away as a gift. It puts the practitioners in the most fearful situation and takes away from them what they cherish most as a radical spiritual therapy to test their courage and ability for self-sacrifice and selfless giving. In this process, the practice helps the person overcome the inner demon of self-love.
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.
Biology (plants and animals)
Cho in Ivory Coast is the name of a plant defined with Isoberlinia doka in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Berlinia grandiflora (Vahl) Hutch. & Dalziel (among others).
Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):
· The Leguminosae of Tropical Africa (1931)
· Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information Kew (1911)
· Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information Kew (1912)
If you are looking for specific details regarding Cho, for example side effects, chemical composition, pregnancy safety, extract dosage, health benefits, diet and recipes, have a look at these references.
This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Cho (छो).—4 P. (chayati, acchāt-acchāsīt, chāta, or chita, -caus. chāyayati) To cut, cut asunder, mow, reap; Bhaṭṭikāvya 14.11; 15.4.
Cho (छो).—r. 4th cl. (chyati) To cut, to mow, to reap, &c. divā0 para0 saka0 aniṭ .
Cho (छो).—i. 4, chya, [Parasmaipada.] To cut.
— With the prep. pra pra, [Causal.] To scarify, pracchita, [Suśruta] 2, 247, 19; cf. 1, 33, 18 (pra-cchayitvā, sic!)
Cho (छो):—[class] 4. chyati ([vii, 3, 71]; perf. 3. [plural] cacchur cf. [4, 83], [vArttika] 2, [Patañjali]; [Aorist] acchāt and acchāsīt, [ii, 4, 78])
—to cut off, cut, [Bhaṭṭi-kāvya xiv f.] :—[Causal] chāyayati, [Pāṇini 7-3, 37];—cf. anu-, ava-, ā-.
Cho (छो):—(ya) chati 4. a. To cut.
Cho (छो):—s. chā .
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)
Starts with (+25): Cha, Chagala, Chagalaka, Chakalaka, cho ga, Cho tsai, Cho-cho, Cho-ro-so, Choaka-thi, Choaka-um, Choakathi, Choal, Choarak, Choari, Chob, Chobachini, Chobadvel, Chobawng, Chobbha, Chobchini.
Full-text (+1320): Cha, Caya, Chagala, Accha, Chakalaka, Shala, Channa, Six dharmas, Seven Dharmarajas, chos kyi skye mched, Eight worldly dharmas, Ci, chos, Chonyid, 'jig rten chos brgyad, chos sku, chos kyi sprin, Shaka, Tinuma, Fei fa.
Relevant text
Search found 79 books and stories containing Cho, Chö, Chờ, Chò; (plurals include: Chos, Chös, Chờs, Chòs). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Bodhisattvacharyavatara (by Andreas Kretschmar)
Translator’s Introduction < [Introduction Text]
Bibliography Of Sūtras, Tantras And śāstras
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Preliminary note (3): Explanations on the aṅgas < [Part 2 - Hearing the twelve-membered speech of the Buddha]
3. The six virtues (pāramitā) < [Part 4 - The Bodhisattva in the Abhidharma system]
III. Acquiring a great entourage < [Part 3 - Acquiring precedence, etc.]
The Way of the White Clouds (by Anāgarika Lāma Govinda)
Chapter 48 - The Lama Of Phiyang < [Part 4 - Return to Western Tibet]
Chapter 9 - Initiation < [Part 1 - Three Visions]
Chapter 24 - The Guru's Passing Away < [Part 3 - Death and Rebirth]
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (MDPI)
Community Pharmacy Needle Exchange Programme < [Volume 21, Issue 3 (2024)]
Association between Macronutrient and Fatty Acid Consumption and Metabolic... < [Volume 19, Issue 23 (2022)]
The Evaluation of Energy Availability and Dietary Nutrient Intake of Sport... < [Volume 20, Issue 6 (2023)]
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
1f) The benefit of vast qualities < [Part 1 - The explanation of the benefits]
Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po) (by George N. Roerich)
Chapter 3 - Guhyasamāja-tantra system of Jñānapāda < [Book 7 - The preaching of the Tantras]
Chapter 4 - Lineage of Tropuwa < [Book 14 - Great Compassion Cycle]
Chapter 10 - Phagmodru Lineage (xii): spyan snga bsod nams bzang po ba < [Book 8 - The famous Dakpo Kagyü (traditions)]