In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Niruktipratisaṃvid (निरुक्तिप्रतिसंविद्) refers to the “knowledge of vocal expression” and represents one of the four “unhindered knowledges” (pratisaṃvid), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XL. Accordingly, nirukti-pratisaṃvid refers to “knowledge of vocal expression (vāc, adhivacana). It is not enough to know the word in abstracto, but it is also necessary to express it with the appropriate number (singular, dual, or plural), gender (masculine, feminine, neuter) and case, taking account of its etymology. All of this varies according to the language used so that, considering everything, nirukti-pratisaṃvid is none other than the knowledge of languages”.

context information

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.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Niruktipratisaṃvid (निरुक्तिप्रतिसंविद्) or simply Nirukti refers to the “analytical knowledge of language” and represents one of the “four analytical knowledges” (pratisaṃvid) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 51). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., nirukti-pratisaṃvid). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Nirukti, Pratisamvid.

Full-text: Pratisamvid, Nirukti.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Niruktipratisamvid, Nirukti-pratisamvid, Nirukti-pratisaṃvid, Niruktipratisaṃvid; (plurals include: Niruktipratisamvids, pratisamvids, pratisaṃvids, Niruktipratisaṃvids). 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 pratisaṃvids according to the Abhidharma < [Part 3 - The four unhindered knowledges]

II. The pratisaṃvids according to the Mahāyāna < [Part 3 - The four unhindered knowledges]

Preliminary note on the four unhindered knowledges (pratisaṃvid) < [Part 3 - The four unhindered knowledges]

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