Substance: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Substance 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

Ayurveda (science of life)

[«previous next»] — Substance in Ayurveda glossary

Substance (Sanskrit: dravya) refers to one of the various Padarthas (categories of all that exists) which were adapted by Caraka in his Charakasamhita.—Vaisheshika was an ancient system dating back to the time of the Buddha and drew within its fold ‘physics, metaphysics, and logical discussions skillfully dovetailed’ (Cf. Charaka Samhita verse 11.44-56).—[...] The primary classification of Padarthas into substance (dravyas), quality, activity, generality, particularity and inherence was adopted by Charaka without changes. But other adoptions from Vaisheshika were qualified.

Source: INSA Digital Repository: Caraka’s Approach to Knowledge
Ayurveda book cover
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Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Substance refers to one of the “Six Categories” (in the Vaiśeṣika system of Hindu philosophy) which are known in Tibetan as tshig don drug.—Accordingly, [while describing the Indian schools and the history of the non-Buddhist extremists]: The Vaiśeṣikas say that there are many distinctions of the general and the particular to be made via the Six Categories [e.g., substance], so they are known as “Particularizers” (Vaiśeṣikas). [...]

Source: Google Books: The Crystal Mirror of Philosophical Systems
Tibetan Buddhism book cover
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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.

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