Vipashyana, aka: Vipaśyanā; 2 Definition(s)
Introduction
Vipashyana 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.
The Sanskrit term Vipaśyanā can be transliterated into English as Vipasyana or Vipashyana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Vipashyanā (vipaśyanā), Skt. (Pali, vipassanā); insight, clear seeing; intuitive cognition of the three marks of existence, namely, the impermanence (anitya), suffering (duhkha), and egolessness (anātman) of all physical and mental phenomena. In Mahāyāna Buddhism, vipashyanā is seen as analytical examination of the nature of things that leads to insight into the true nature of the world—emptiness (shūnyatā). Such insight prevents the arising of new passions. Vipashyanā is one of the two factors essential for the attainment of enlightenment; the other is shamatha (calming the mind).
Source: Shambala Publications: GeneralLanguages of India and abroad
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Vipaśyanā (विपश्यना).—(Sanskrit vi-paśyati plus -anā), correct insight: [Page491-b+ 71] with other virtues LV 415.7 (°na, verse); °na-vāyu-samā LV 414.11 (verse), like the wind in (penetrating) insight, so Tibetan, lhag mthoṅ rluṅ (daṅ) ḥdra; °na-vidyu-mālī RP 45.5 (verse; in all these °na m.c.); °nāyāṃ śikṣec ca Ud vi.9; śama-śīla-°nā-balair Divy 44.24 (verse); but almost always closely associated, often cpd., with a preceding śamatha; compare AbhidhK. LaV-P. vi.301. n. 2, ‘la pensée parfumée par le śamatha (calme) peut obtenir par la vipaśyanā (intelli- gence; elsewhere vision, contemplation) la vimukti’; another definition Bbh 260.11-14 tatra yā bodhisattvasyaiṣā dharmāṇām evam avikalpanā (see vikalpana), so 'sya śamatho draṣṭavyaḥ. yac ca tad yathābhūtajñānaṃ pāramārthikaṃ, yac ca tad apramāṇavyavasthānanayajñānaṃ dharmeṣu, iyam asya vipaśyanā draṣṭavyā; in Mvy 1678 vi° (Tibetan lhag mthoṅ) follows śamatha 1677, and forms a tetrad with it and yogaḥ, yoniśo-manasikāraḥ; śamatha-°nā- vihārin Divy 95.13; 124.12; 264.27—28; Av i.16.10; 283.2; °nā-vihāra-vihārin Gv 471.21; otherwise cpd. or assoc. with śamatha, LV 128.3; 181.19; 183.7; Mv i.120.10; Av ii.140.10; Śikṣ 260.12; 261.2; KP 154.5; Bbh 83.8; 109.9, etc. (Pali vipassanā; compare prec. and next.)
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
Relevant definitions
Full-text: Sixteen Contemplations, Samatha Vipassana, Sukhavativyuha Sutra, Vyavasthana, Vikalpana, Vipassana, Mantrayana, Vidarshana, Bhutakoti, Tathata, Dharmadhatu, Dhatu.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Vipashyana, Vipaśyanā, Vipasyana; (plurals include: Vipashyanas, Vipaśyanās, Vipasyanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
Part 2b.1 - The main means of practice, shamatha and vipashyana < [B. The teaching of the three factors of immovable samadhis]
Part 2b.2 - The two individual explanations of shamatha and vipashyana < [B. The teaching of the three factors of immovable samadhis]
Part 2b.9 - Summarizing the meaning of the eight means of resting < [B. The gradation of powers of those who meditate into high, middle, and low]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
II. Synonymity of the three words < [Part 2 - Understanding dharmatā and its synonyms]
Bhūmi 7: the far-gone ground (dūraṃgamā / dūraṅgamā) < [Chapter XX - (2nd series): Setting out on the Mahāyāna]
IV. Silence of the Śrāvakas on the dhāraṇis < [Part 4 - Obtaining the gates of recollection and concentration]
A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)
Bodhisattvacharyavatara (by Andreas Kretschmar)
Text Section 250 / Stanza 16 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]
Text Section 51 < [Khenpo Chöga’s Oral Explanations]
Khenpo Ape’s Advice On Studying The Bodhisattva-caryāvatāra < [Introduction Text]
The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
Chapter XXXVIII - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar (f) < [Section Seven]
Chapter XXXVII - On Bodhisattva Lion's Roar (e) < [Section Seven]
Chapter XXV - On Pure Actions (e) < [Section Five]