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| − | Vīrya (Sanskrit; Pāli: | + | '''[[Vīrya]]''' ([[Sanskrit]]; [[Pāli]]: [[Viriya]]; [[Tibetan]] [[Wylie]]: [[brtson 'grus]]) is a [[Buddhist]] term commonly translated as "[[energy]]", "[[diligence]]", "[[enthusiasm]]", or "[[effort]]". It can be defined as an [[attitude]] of gladly engaging in [[wholesome]] [[activities]], and it functions to [[cause]] one to [[accomplish]] [[wholesome]] or [[virtuous]] [[actions]]. |
| − | == Etymology == | + | == {{Wiki|Etymology}} == |
[[File:Db099.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:Db099.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | Vīrya literally means "state of a strong man" or "manliness." In Vedic literature, the term is often associated with heroism and virility. In Buddhism, the term more generally refers to a practitioner's "energy" or "exertion," and is repeatedly identified as a necessary prerequisite for achieving liberation. | + | [[Vīrya]] literally means "[[state]] of a strong man" or "manliness." In {{Wiki|Vedic}} {{Wiki|literature}}, the term is often associated with {{Wiki|heroism}} and {{Wiki|virility}}. In [[Buddhism]], the term more generally refers to a practitioner's "[[energy]]" or "{{Wiki|exertion}}," and is repeatedly identified as a necessary prerequisite for achieving [[liberation]]. |
| − | In Buddhist contexts, | + | In [[Buddhist]] contexts, [[Viriya]] has been translated as "[[energy]]," "persistence," "persevering," "[[vigour]]," "[[effort]]," "{{Wiki|exertion}}," or "[[diligence]]." |
| − | ==Mental factor== | + | ==[[Mental factor]]== |
| − | Within the Buddhist Abhidharma teachings, | + | Within the [[Buddhist]] [[Abhidharma]] teachings, [[Virya]] is identified as: |
| − | * One of the [[Mental_factors#Six occasional mental factors|six occasional mental factors]] within the Theravada Abhidharma | + | * One of the [[Mental_factors#Six occasional mental factors|six occasional mental factors]] within the [[Theravada]] [[Abhidharma]] |
| − | * One of the [[Mental_factors#Eleven virtuous mental factors|eleven virtuous mental factors]] within the Mahayana Abhidharma | + | * One of the [[Mental_factors#Eleven virtuous mental factors|eleven virtuous mental factors]] within the [[Mahayana]] [[Abhidharma]] |
| − | In this context, '' | + | In this context, ''[[Virya]]'' is defined the [[attitude]] of gladly engaging in what is [[wholesome]]; its [[function]] is to [[cause]] one to [[accomplish]] [[wholesome]] [[actions]]. |
The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: | ||
| − | :What is '' | + | :What is ''[[Virya]]''? It is the [[mind]] intent on [[being]] ever active, devoted, unshaken, not turning back and [[being]] indefatigable. It perfects and realizes what is conducive to the positive. |
| − | In the context of the Mahayana Abhidharma, '' | + | In the context of the [[Mahayana]] [[Abhidharma]], ''[[Virya]]'' is commonly translated as [[diligence]]. |
| − | ==Pali literature== | + | ==[[Pali]] {{Wiki|literature}}== |
| − | In [[Buddhism]]'s [[Pali literature]], '' | + | In [[Buddhism]]'s [[Pali literature]], ''[[Viriya]]'' is identified as critical component in each of the following sets of qualities conducive to [[bodhi|Enlightenment]] (''[[bodhipakkhiyādhammā|bodhi-pakkhiyā-dhammā]]''): |
| − | :* the five spiritual faculties (''[[indriya]]'') | + | :* the five {{Wiki|spiritual}} [[faculties]] (''[[indriya]]'') |
| − | :* the [[Five Strengths|five powers]] (''bala'') | + | :* the [[Five Strengths|five powers]] (''[[bala]]'') |
| − | :* the ten or six "perfections" (''[[ | + | :* the ten or six "[[perfections]]" (''[[pāramitās]]'') |
| − | :* the [[Seven Factors of Enlightenment|seven factors of enlightenment]] (''bojjhaṅga''). | + | :* the [[Seven Factors of Enlightenment|seven factors of enlightenment]] (''[[bojjhaṅga]]''). |
| − | It is also associated with "[[Noble_Eightfold_Path#Right_effort|Right Effort]]" (''sammā-vāyāma'') of the [[Noble Eightfold Path]] (Pāli: ''aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo''; Skt.: ''aṣṭāṅga mārga'') and with the "Four Right Exertions" (''samma-ppadhāna''). | + | It is also associated with "[[Noble_Eightfold_Path#Right_effort|Right Effort]]" (''sammā-vāyāma'') of the [[Noble Eightfold Path]] ([[Pāli]]: ''aṭṭhaṅgiko [[maggo]]''; Skt.: ''[[aṣṭāṅga]] [[mārga]]'') and with the "[[Four Right Exertions]]" (''samma-ppadhāna''). |
| − | In the ''Kīṭāgiri Sutta'' ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 70), | + | In the ''Kīṭāgiri [[Sutta]]'' ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 70), The [[Buddha]] instructs his followers: |
| − | :... For a faithful disciple who is intent on fathoming the Teacher's Dispensation, it is natural that he conduct himself thus: 'Willingly, let only my skin, sinews, and bones remain, and let the flesh and blood dry up on my body, but my energy [Pali: ''viriya''] shall not be relaxed so long as I have not attained what can be attained by manly strength [''purisa-tthāmena''], manly energy [''purisa-viriyena''], and manly persistence [''purisa-parakkamena'']...." | + | :... For a [[faithful]] [[disciple]] who is intent on fathoming the [[Teacher's]] Dispensation, it is natural that he conduct himself thus: 'Willingly, let only my {{Wiki|skin}}, sinews, and {{Wiki|bones}} remain, and let the flesh and {{Wiki|blood}} dry up on my [[body]], but my [[energy]] [[[Pali]]: ''[[viriya]]''] shall not be [[relaxed]] so [[long]] as I have not [[attained]] what can be [[attained]] by manly strength [''[[purisa-tthāmena]]''], manly [[energy]] [''[[purisa-viriyena]]''], and manly persistence [''[[purisa-parakkamena]]'']...." |
==Other characterizations== | ==Other characterizations== | ||
| − | It stands for strenuous and sustained effort to overcome unskillful ways (''akusala | + | It stands for strenuous and sustained [[effort]] to overcome [[unskillful]] ways (''[[akusala]] [[Dhamma]]''), such as indulging in [[sensuality]], [[ill will]] and {{Wiki|harmfulness}} (see, e.g., ''[[ahimsa|ahiṃsa]]'' and ''[[Nekkhamma]]''). |
| − | It stands for the right endeavour to attain ''[[Dhyāna|dhyāna]]''. | + | It stands for the [[right]] endeavour to attain ''[[Dhyāna|dhyāna]]''. |
| − | ''Vīrya'' can also signify courage and physical strength and was cultivated by Buddhist guardians including the [[Shaolin]] monks. It signifies strength of character and persistent effort for the well-being of others as well as the ability to defend the [[Triratna]] from attacks. | + | ''[[Vīrya]]'' can also signify {{Wiki|courage}} and [[physical]] strength and was cultivated by [[Buddhist]] guardians [[including]] the [[Shaolin]] [[monks]]. It {{Wiki|signifies}} strength of [[character]] and persistent [[effort]] for the well-being of others as well as the ability to defend the [[Triratna]] from attacks. |
| − | In the absence of sustained effort in practicing meditation, craving creeps in and the meditator comes under its influence. Right effort (''vīryabala'') is thus required to overcome unskillful | + | In the absence of sustained [[effort]] in practicing [[meditation]], [[craving]] creeps in and the [[meditator]] comes under its [[influence]]. [[Right effort]] (''[[vīryabala]]'') is thus required to overcome [[unskillful]] [[Mental factors]] and deviation from ''[[Dhyāna]]''. |
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Abhidharma]] | |
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Buddhist psychology]] | ||
| + | {{SanskritTerminology}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:31, 11 January 2016
Vīrya (Sanskrit; Pāli: Viriya; Tibetan Wylie: brtson 'grus) is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "energy", "diligence", "enthusiasm", or "effort". It can be defined as an attitude of gladly engaging in wholesome activities, and it functions to cause one to accomplish wholesome or virtuous actions.
Etymology
Vīrya literally means "state of a strong man" or "manliness." In Vedic literature, the term is often associated with heroism and virility. In Buddhism, the term more generally refers to a practitioner's "energy" or "exertion," and is repeatedly identified as a necessary prerequisite for achieving liberation.
In Buddhist contexts, Viriya has been translated as "energy," "persistence," "persevering," "vigour," "effort," "exertion," or "diligence."
Mental factor
Within the Buddhist Abhidharma teachings, Virya is identified as:
- One of the six occasional mental factors within the Theravada Abhidharma
- One of the eleven virtuous mental factors within the Mahayana Abhidharma
In this context, Virya is defined the attitude of gladly engaging in what is wholesome; its function is to cause one to accomplish wholesome actions.
The Abhidharma-samuccaya states:
- What is Virya? It is the mind intent on being ever active, devoted, unshaken, not turning back and being indefatigable. It perfects and realizes what is conducive to the positive.
In the context of the Mahayana Abhidharma, Virya is commonly translated as diligence.
Pali literature
In Buddhism's Pali literature, Viriya is identified as critical component in each of the following sets of qualities conducive to Enlightenment (bodhi-pakkhiyā-dhammā):
- the five spiritual faculties (indriya)
- the five powers (bala)
- the ten or six "perfections" (pāramitās)
- the seven factors of enlightenment (bojjhaṅga).
It is also associated with "Right Effort" (sammā-vāyāma) of the Noble Eightfold Path (Pāli: aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo; Skt.: aṣṭāṅga mārga) and with the "Four Right Exertions" (samma-ppadhāna).
In the Kīṭāgiri Sutta (MN 70), The Buddha instructs his followers:
- ... For a faithful disciple who is intent on fathoming the Teacher's Dispensation, it is natural that he conduct himself thus: 'Willingly, let only my skin, sinews, and bones remain, and let the flesh and blood dry up on my body, but my energy [[[Pali]]: viriya] shall not be relaxed so long as I have not attained what can be attained by manly strength [purisa-tthāmena], manly energy [purisa-viriyena], and manly persistence [purisa-parakkamena]...."
Other characterizations
It stands for strenuous and sustained effort to overcome unskillful ways (akusala Dhamma), such as indulging in sensuality, ill will and harmfulness (see, e.g., ahiṃsa and Nekkhamma).
It stands for the right endeavour to attain dhyāna.
Vīrya can also signify courage and physical strength and was cultivated by Buddhist guardians including the Shaolin monks. It signifies strength of character and persistent effort for the well-being of others as well as the ability to defend the Triratna from attacks.
In the absence of sustained effort in practicing meditation, craving creeps in and the meditator comes under its influence. Right effort (vīryabala) is thus required to overcome unskillful Mental factors and deviation from Dhyāna.
