Mental formation: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Mental formation means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Mental Formation refers to sankhāra.—s. Tab. II.
Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Mental Formation refers to one of the “Five Aggregates” (i.e., “that which comprises the ‘person’”) which are known in Tibetan as phung po lnga.—Accordingly, [while describing the Svātantrika Madhyamaka philosophical school], [regarding the mode of imputation based on the aggregates]: [...] Some Saṃmatīyas say that all Five Aggregates [e.g., mental formations] are the self. Although schools from the Svātantrikas on down claim that the person is a mere imputation based on the aggregates, they think that if the aggregates are the basis of the imputation of a person, the aggregates necessarily are the person; and they believe that the aggregates are imputed as being the person. [...]
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)
Full-text (+81): Sankhara, Khandha, Nama, Skandha, Cetasika, Saykharakkhandha, Saykhara, Saykharupekkha, Arupa Kkhandha, Jivitindriya, Arupasamapatti, Cittasamutthanakaya, yid 'jug par byed pa, Avajjanapatibaddha, Manahsamskara, yid 'jug pa'i byed pa, Mana, Vajraraja, Samskaraskandha, Kammasankhepa.
Relevant text
Search found 43 books and stories containing Mental formation, Mental formations; (plurals include: Mental formations, Mental formationses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Part 1 - The Week on the Throne (Pallanka Sattāha) < [Chapter 8 - The Buddha’s stay at the Seven Places]
Part 4 - The Discourse on The Cha-pañcaka < [Chapter 32b - The Buddha’s Fourteenth Vassa at Savatthi]
Part 3 - Delivery of the Rahulovada Sutta to Rāhula < [Chapter 31 - The Monk Sudinna, the Son of the Kalanda Merchant]
Philosophy of language in the Five Nikayas (by K.T.S. Sarao)
6.7. The Attainment of the Cessation of Perception and Feeling < [Chapter 3 - Language and Meaning as Reflected in the Five Nikāyas]
7. Contexts of Language and Meaning in the Five Nikāyas < [Chapter 3 - Language and Meaning as Reflected in the Five Nikāyas]
11.2. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness < [Chapter 4 - Philosophy of Language in the Five Nikāyas]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 202 - The Story of a Young Bride < [Chapter 15 - Sukha Vagga (Happiness)]
Verse 46 - The Story of the Monk who Contemplates The Body as a Mirage < [Chapter 4 - Puppha Vagga (Flowers)]
Verse 203 - The Story of a Lay-Disciple < [Chapter 15 - Sukha Vagga (Happiness)]
The Dawn of the Dhamma (by Sucitto Bhikkhu)
Chapter 23 - Whole Lotta Shakin Going On < [The Sutta]
Chapter 15 - Unshakeable Freedom < [The Sutta]
Introducing Buddhist Abhidhamma (by Kyaw Min, U)
Chapter 3 - Five Groups or Aggregates < [Part 1 - Abhidhamma]
Chapter 13 - ānā-pāna, or Mindfulness of Breathing < [Book II]
Liberation in early Advaita Vedanta (by Aleksandar Uskokov)
3. Prasaṅkhyāna in Pātañjala-Yoga-Śāstra < [Chapter 5 - The Doctrine of Prasaṅkhyāna]
2. The Soteriology of Bhartṛprapañca < [Chapter 5 - The Doctrine of Prasaṅkhyāna]