Difference between revisions of "Life"
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{{Seealso|Life the meaning of}} | {{Seealso|Life the meaning of}} | ||
| − | '''[[Life]]''' (''[[jīvita]]'') is the ability of the organisms that have it to respond to stimuli, grow, reproduce, absorb nutrition, excrete and persist over [[time]]. The two kinds of living things are [[plants]] and [[animals]]. In the case of most [[animals]], a newly [[embodied]] [[life]] begins at {{Wiki|conception}} or soon afterwards. The [[Buddha]] said that for {{Wiki|conception}} to take place three things must coincide – the {{Wiki|sexual}} union of the [[parents]] (''[[sannipatita]]''), the mother’s ovulation (''[[utunī]]'') and the presence of the ''[[gandhabba]]'', i.e. the [[consciousness]] of the [[being]] who is to be [[reborn]] (M.I,266). This [[consciousness]] absorbs itself in the fertilised egg and begins to animate it so that it grows into a fully formed [[being]]. As with {{Wiki|modern}} {{Wiki|medicine}}, the [[Buddha]] [[recognized]] that the [[embryo]] passes through four stages: fertilization (''[[kalaka]]''), cleavage (''[[abbuda]]''), gastrulation (''[[pesi]]'') and organogenesis (''[[ghana]]'') before developing recognizably [[human]] {{Wiki|features}} at around 17 weeks, after which it is known as the foetus (S.I,206). | + | '''[[Life]]''' (''[[jīvita]]'') is the ability of the {{Wiki|organisms}} that have it to respond to {{Wiki|stimuli}}, grow, reproduce, absorb nutrition, excrete and persist over [[time]]. The two kinds of living things are [[plants]] and [[animals]]. In the case of most [[animals]], a newly [[embodied]] [[life]] begins at {{Wiki|conception}} or soon afterwards. The [[Buddha]] said that for {{Wiki|conception}} to take place three things must coincide – the {{Wiki|sexual}} union of the [[parents]] (''[[sannipatita]]''), the mother’s ovulation (''[[utunī]]'') and the presence of the ''[[gandhabba]]'', i.e. the [[consciousness]] of the [[being]] who is to be [[reborn]] (M.I,266). This [[consciousness]] absorbs itself in the [[fertilised]] egg and begins to animate it so that it grows into a fully formed [[being]]. As with {{Wiki|modern}} {{Wiki|medicine}}, the [[Buddha]] [[recognized]] that the [[embryo]] passes through four stages: fertilization (''[[kalaka]]''), cleavage (''[[abbuda]]''), gastrulation (''[[pesi]]'') and organogenesis (''[[ghana]]'') before developing recognizably [[human]] {{Wiki|features}} at around 17 weeks, after which it is known as the {{Wiki|foetus}} (S.I,206). |
| − | The [[Buddha]] said that because all [[beings]] cherish their [[life]] above everything else and struggle to avoid [[death]] at all costs (Dhp.130), to destroy the [[life]] of another [[being]] is the worst thing one can do to them. Thus [[respect]] for [[life]] (''[[avihiṃsā]]'', [[Sanskrit]] ''[[ahiṃsā]]''),promoting [[life]], improving the quality of [[life]] – is the [[highest]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|ethical}} ideal. | + | The [[Buddha]] said that because all [[beings]] cherish their [[life]] above everything else and struggle to avoid [[death]] at all costs (Dhp.130), to destroy the [[life]] of another [[being]] is the worst thing one can do to them. Thus [[respect]] for [[life]] (''[[avihiṃsā]]'', [[Sanskrit]] ''[[ahiṃsā]]''),promoting [[life]], improving the [[quality]] of [[life]] – is the [[highest]] [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|ethical}} {{Wiki|ideal}}. |
| − | + | ‘{{Wiki|Conception}} and Intrauterine [[Life]] in the [[Pali Canon]]’, M. Baisvert, Studies in [[Religion]], 29 (3), 2000. | |
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| − | [[Life]] is a [[characteristic]] that distinguishes [[objects]] that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased ([[death]]), or else because they lack such functions and are classified as [[inanimate]]. {{Wiki|Biology}} is the [[science]] concerned with the study of [[life]]. | + | [[Life]] is a [[characteristic]] that distinguishes [[objects]] that have signaling and self-sustaining {{Wiki|processes}} from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased ([[death]]), or else because they lack such functions and are classified as [[inanimate]]. {{Wiki|Biology}} is the [[science]] concerned with the study of [[life]]. |
| − | Any contiguous living system is called an {{Wiki|organism}}. {{Wiki|Organisms}} undergo {{Wiki|metabolism}}, maintain {{Wiki|homeostasis}}, possess a capacity to grow, respond to stimuli, reproduce and, through natural [[selection]], adapt to their environment in successive generations. More complex living {{Wiki|organisms}} can {{Wiki|communicate}} through various means. A diverse array of living {{Wiki|organisms}} can be found in the {{Wiki|biosphere}} of [[Earth]], and the properties common to these {{Wiki|organisms}}—{{Wiki|plants}}, [[animals]], {{Wiki|fungi}}, {{Wiki|protists}}, {{Wiki|archaea}}, and {{Wiki|bacteria}}—are a {{Wiki|carbon}}- and water-based cellular [[form]] with complex organization and heritable {{Wiki|genetic}} [[information]]. | + | Any contiguous living system is called an {{Wiki|organism}}. {{Wiki|Organisms}} undergo {{Wiki|metabolism}}, maintain {{Wiki|homeostasis}}, possess a capacity to grow, respond to {{Wiki|stimuli}}, reproduce and, through natural [[selection]], adapt to their {{Wiki|environment}} in successive generations. More complex living {{Wiki|organisms}} can {{Wiki|communicate}} through various means. A diverse array of living {{Wiki|organisms}} can be found in the {{Wiki|biosphere}} of [[Earth]], and the properties common to these {{Wiki|organisms}}—{{Wiki|plants}}, [[animals]], {{Wiki|fungi}}, {{Wiki|protists}}, {{Wiki|archaea}}, and {{Wiki|bacteria}}—are a {{Wiki|carbon}}- and water-based cellular [[form]] with complex [[organization]] and heritable {{Wiki|genetic}} [[information]]. |
| − | [[Scientific]] {{Wiki|evidence}} suggests that [[life]] began on [[Earth]] approximately 3.5 billion years ago. The {{Wiki|mechanism}} by which [[life]] emerged on [[Earth]] is unknown although many {{Wiki|hypotheses}} have been formulated. Since then, [[life]] has evolved into a wide variety of [[forms]], which biologists have classified into a hierarchy of taxa. [[Life]] can survive and thrive in a wide range of [[conditions]]. The meaning of life—its significance, origin, purpose, and [[ultimate]] fate—is a central {{Wiki|concept}} and question in [[philosophy]] and [[religion]]. Both [[philosophy]] and [[religion]] have [[offered]] interpretations as to how [[life]] relates to [[existence]] and [[consciousness]], and on related issues such as [[life]] stance, purpose, {{Wiki|conception}} of a [[god]] or [[gods]], a [[soul]] or an [[afterlife]]. Different cultures throughout {{Wiki|history}} have had widely varying approaches to these issues. | + | [[Scientific]] {{Wiki|evidence}} suggests that [[life]] began on [[Earth]] approximately 3.5 billion years ago. The {{Wiki|mechanism}} by which [[life]] emerged on [[Earth]] is unknown although many {{Wiki|hypotheses}} have been formulated. Since then, [[life]] has evolved into a wide variety of [[forms]], which biologists have classified into a {{Wiki|hierarchy}} of taxa. [[Life]] can survive and thrive in a wide range of [[conditions]]. The meaning of life—its significance, origin, {{Wiki|purpose}}, and [[ultimate]] fate—is a central {{Wiki|concept}} and question in [[philosophy]] and [[religion]]. Both [[philosophy]] and [[religion]] have [[offered]] interpretations as to how [[life]] relates to [[existence]] and [[consciousness]], and on related issues such as [[life]] stance, {{Wiki|purpose}}, {{Wiki|conception}} of a [[god]] or [[gods]], a [[soul]] or an [[afterlife]]. Different cultures throughout {{Wiki|history}} have had widely varying approaches to these issues. |
| − | Though the [[existence]] of [[life]] is confirmed on [[Earth]] only, many [[scientists]] think that [[extraterrestrial life]] is not only plausible, but probable or even inevitable. Other [[ | + | Though the [[existence]] of [[life]] is confirmed on [[Earth]] only, many [[scientists]] think that [[extraterrestrial life]] is not only plausible, but probable or even inevitable. Other {{Wiki|planets}} and [[moons]] in the {{Wiki|Solar System}} have been examined for {{Wiki|evidence}} of having once supported simple [[life]], and projects such as SETI have attempted to detect [[transmissions]] from possible alien {{Wiki|civilizations}}. According to the {{Wiki|panspermia}} {{Wiki|hypothesis}}, microscopic [[life]] [[exists]] throughout the [[Universe]], and is distributed by {{Wiki|meteoroids}}, {{Wiki|asteroids}} and {{Wiki|planetoids}}. |
Latest revision as of 17:55, 1 July 2016
- See also :
- See also :
Life (jīvita) is the ability of the organisms that have it to respond to stimuli, grow, reproduce, absorb nutrition, excrete and persist over time. The two kinds of living things are plants and animals. In the case of most animals, a newly embodied life begins at conception or soon afterwards. The Buddha said that for conception to take place three things must coincide – the sexual union of the parents (sannipatita), the mother’s ovulation (utunī) and the presence of the gandhabba, i.e. the consciousness of the being who is to be reborn (M.I,266). This consciousness absorbs itself in the fertilised egg and begins to animate it so that it grows into a fully formed being. As with modern medicine, the Buddha recognized that the embryo passes through four stages: fertilization (kalaka), cleavage (abbuda), gastrulation (pesi) and organogenesis (ghana) before developing recognizably human features at around 17 weeks, after which it is known as the foetus (S.I,206). The Buddha said that because all beings cherish their life above everything else and struggle to avoid death at all costs (Dhp.130), to destroy the life of another being is the worst thing one can do to them. Thus respect for life (avihiṃsā, Sanskrit ahiṃsā),promoting life, improving the quality of life – is the highest Buddhist ethical ideal.
‘Conception and Intrauterine Life in the Pali Canon’, M. Baisvert, Studies in Religion, 29 (3), 2000.
Life is a characteristic that distinguishes objects that have signaling and self-sustaining processes from those that do not, either because such functions have ceased (death), or else because they lack such functions and are classified as inanimate. Biology is the science concerned with the study of life.
Any contiguous living system is called an organism. Organisms undergo metabolism, maintain homeostasis, possess a capacity to grow, respond to stimuli, reproduce and, through natural selection, adapt to their environment in successive generations. More complex living organisms can communicate through various means. A diverse array of living organisms can be found in the biosphere of Earth, and the properties common to these organisms—plants, animals, fungi, protists, archaea, and bacteria—are a carbon- and water-based cellular form with complex organization and heritable genetic information.
Scientific evidence suggests that life began on Earth approximately 3.5 billion years ago. The mechanism by which life emerged on Earth is unknown although many hypotheses have been formulated. Since then, life has evolved into a wide variety of forms, which biologists have classified into a hierarchy of taxa. Life can survive and thrive in a wide range of conditions. The meaning of life—its significance, origin, purpose, and ultimate fate—is a central concept and question in philosophy and religion. Both philosophy and religion have offered interpretations as to how life relates to existence and consciousness, and on related issues such as life stance, purpose, conception of a god or gods, a soul or an afterlife. Different cultures throughout history have had widely varying approaches to these issues.
Though the existence of life is confirmed on Earth only, many scientists think that extraterrestrial life is not only plausible, but probable or even inevitable. Other planets and moons in the Solar System have been examined for evidence of having once supported simple life, and projects such as SETI have attempted to detect transmissions from possible alien civilizations. According to the panspermia hypothesis, microscopic life exists throughout the Universe, and is distributed by meteoroids, asteroids and planetoids.
