Difference between revisions of "Sentient beings"
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| + | '''[[Sentient beings]]''' (Skt. ''[[sattva]]''; Tib. ''[[sem chen]]''; [[Wyl.]] ''[[sems can]]'') — all inhabitants of the [[three realms]] of [[samsara]] who possess a [[mind]] and transmigrate within the [[six classes of beings]]. Animate things, such as [[plants]], which do not have a [[mind]], are not '[[sentient]]'. [[Sentient being]] ‘[[Sem chän]]’ in [[Tibetan]]. Any being who possesses a [[mind]] that is contaminated by [[delusions]] or their imprints. Both `[[sentient being]]’ and `[[living being]]’ are terms used to distinguish [[beings]] whose [[minds]] are contaminated by either of these [[two obstructions]] from [[Buddhas]], whose [[minds]] are completely free from these obstructions. | ||
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| + | [[sentient beings]]are characteristically not [[enlightened]], and are thus confined to the [[death]], [[rebirth]], and [[suffering]] [[characteristic]] of [[Saṃsāra]]. | ||
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| + | ==Alternative Translations== | ||
| + | *[[limited beings]] ([[Alexander Berzin]]) | ||
| + | {{RigpaWiki}} | ||
| + | {{NewSourceBreak}} | ||
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| + | [[Sentient beings]] is a technical term in [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|discourse}}. Broadly {{Wiki|speaking}}, it denotes [[beings]] with [[consciousness]] or [[sentience]] or, in some contexts, [[life]] itself. Specifically, it denotes the presence of the [[five aggregates]], or [[Skandhas]]. While {{Wiki|distinctions}} in usage and potential subdivisions or classes of [[sentient beings]] vary from one school, [[teacher]], or thinker to another—and there is [[debate]] within some [[Buddhist]] schools as to what exactly constitutes [[sentience]] and how it is to be recognized—it principally refers to [[beings]] in contrast with [[Buddhahood]]. That is, [[sentient beings]] are characteristically not [[enlightened]], and are thus confined to the [[death]], [[Rebirth]], and [[Suffering]] [[characteristic]] of [[Saṃsāra]]. However, [[Mahayana Buddhism]] simultaneously teaches (in the [[Tathagatagarbha]] [[doctrine]] particularly) that [[sentient beings]] also contain [[Buddha-nature]]—the intrinsic potential to transcend the [[conditions]] of [[Samsara]] and attain [[Enlightenment]], thereby becoming a [[Buddha]]. | ||
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:"Those who greatly [[enlighten]] {{Wiki|illusion}} are [[Buddhas]]; those who are greatly deluded about [[Enlightenment]] are [[sentient beings]]."::—[[Dōgen]] | :"Those who greatly [[enlighten]] {{Wiki|illusion}} are [[Buddhas]]; those who are greatly deluded about [[Enlightenment]] are [[sentient beings]]."::—[[Dōgen]] | ||
| − | In [[Mahayana Buddhism]], it is to [[sentient beings]] that the [[Bodhisattva]] [[vow]] of [[compassion]] is pledged. Furthermore, and particularly in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and [[Japanese Buddhism]], all [[beings]] (including [[plant]] [[life]] and even [[inanimate]] [[objects]] or entities considered "{{Wiki|spiritual}}" or "{{Wiki|metaphysical}}" by conventional Western [[thought]]) are or may be considered [[sentient beings]]. | + | In [[Mahayana Buddhism]], it is to [[sentient beings]] that the [[Bodhisattva]] [[vow]] of [[compassion]] is pledged. Furthermore, and particularly in [[Tibetan Buddhism]] and [[Japanese Buddhism]], all [[beings]] ([[including]] [[plant]] [[life]] and even [[inanimate]] [[objects]] or entities considered "{{Wiki|spiritual}}" or "{{Wiki|metaphysical}}" by {{Wiki|conventional}} {{Wiki|Western}} [[thought]]) are or may be considered [[sentient beings]]. |
| − | The {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[Scholar]] [[T'ien-T'ai]] (538–597) taught that [[plants]], and other insentient [[objects]] could attain [[Buddhahood]]. This is because of the principle of [[Ichinen Sanzen]] (Eng. 3,000 [[Realms]] in a Single [[Thought]] Moment). | + | The {{Wiki|Chinese}} [[Scholar]] [[T'ien-T'ai]] (538–597) [[taught]] that [[plants]], and other insentient [[objects]] could attain [[Buddhahood]]. This is because of the [[principle]] of [[Ichinen Sanzen]] (Eng. 3,000 [[Realms]] in a Single [[Thought]] [[Moment]]). |
| − | == Definition == | + | == [[Definition]] == |
| − | Getz (2004: p. 760) provides a generalist Western [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|encyclopedic}} definition: | + | Getz (2004: p. 760) provides a generalist {{Wiki|Western}} [[Buddhist]] {{Wiki|encyclopedic}} [[definition]]: |
| − | : [[Sentient beings]] is a term used to designate the totality of living, [[conscious]] [[beings]] that constitute the [[object]] and audience of [[Buddhist teaching]]. Translating various [[Sanskrit]] terms ([[jantu]], [[bahu jana]], [[jagat]], [[sattva]]), [[sentient beings]] conventionally refers to the mass of living things [[subject]] to {{Wiki|illusion}}, [[Suffering]], and [[Rebirth]] ([[Saṃsāra]]). Less frequently, [[sentient beings]] as a class broadly encompasses all [[beings]] possessing [[consciousness]], including [[Buddhas]] and [[Bodhisattvas]]. | + | : [[Sentient beings]] is a term used to designate the {{Wiki|totality}} of living, [[conscious]] [[beings]] that constitute the [[object]] and audience of [[Buddhist teaching]]. Translating various [[Sanskrit]] terms ([[jantu]], [[bahu jana]], [[jagat]], [[sattva]]), [[sentient beings]] {{Wiki|conventionally}} refers to the {{Wiki|mass}} of living things [[subject]] to {{Wiki|illusion}}, [[Suffering]], and [[Rebirth]] ([[Saṃsāra]]). Less frequently, [[sentient beings]] as a class broadly encompasses all [[beings]] possessing [[consciousness]], [[including]] [[Buddhas]] and [[Bodhisattvas]]. |
| − | == Classification == | + | == {{Wiki|Classification}} == |
| − | Early scriptures in the [[Pali Canon]] and the conventions of the {{Wiki|Tibetan}} {{Wiki|Bhavachakra}} classify [[sentient beings]] into five categories—[[divinities]], {{Wiki|humans}}, {{Wiki|animals}}, tormented {{Wiki|spirits}}, and denizens of [[hell]]—although sometimes the classification adds another category of {{Wiki|demonic}} [[beings]] between {{Wiki|divinities}} and {{Wiki|humans}}. | + | Early [[scriptures]] in the [[Pali Canon]] and the conventions of the {{Wiki|Tibetan}} {{Wiki|Bhavachakra}} classify [[sentient beings]] into five categories—[[divinities]], {{Wiki|humans}}, {{Wiki|animals}}, tormented {{Wiki|spirits}}, and denizens of [[hell]]—although sometimes the {{Wiki|classification}} adds another category of {{Wiki|demonic}} [[beings]] between {{Wiki|divinities}} and {{Wiki|humans}}. |
| + | [[Wikipedia:Sentient beings (Buddhism)]] | ||
| + | {{NewSourceBreak}} | ||
| + | [[sentient beings]]<br/> | ||
| + | [[有情]] (Skt [[sattva]]; Jpn [[ujo]] ) | ||
| − | {{ | + | Those living things endowed with [[feelings]], [[emotion]], and [[consciousness]]; that is, most of the [[animal kingdom]] [[including]] [[human beings]]. [[Buddhism]] broadly classifies all [[existence]] into [[sentient]] and [[insentient beings.]] "[[Insentient beings]]," while [[including]] [[plants]], also includes non-living things such as stones and [[water]]. |
| + | {{R}} | ||
| + | [http://www.sgilibrary.org/search_dict.php?id=1945 sgilibrary.org] | ||
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[[Category:Buddhist philosophical concepts]] | [[Category:Buddhist philosophical concepts]] | ||
[[Category:Six Realms]] | [[Category:Six Realms]] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | [[Category:Buddhist Philosophy]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:46, 2 April 2024
Sentient beings (Skt. sattva; Tib. sem chen; Wyl. sems can) — all inhabitants of the three realms of samsara who possess a mind and transmigrate within the six classes of beings. Animate things, such as plants, which do not have a mind, are not 'sentient'. Sentient being ‘Sem chän’ in Tibetan. Any being who possesses a mind that is contaminated by delusions or their imprints. Both `sentient being’ and `living being’ are terms used to distinguish beings whose minds are contaminated by either of these two obstructions from Buddhas, whose minds are completely free from these obstructions.
sentient beingsare characteristically not enlightened, and are thus confined to the death, rebirth, and suffering characteristic of Saṃsāra.
Alternative Translations
Source
Sentient beings is a technical term in Buddhist discourse. Broadly speaking, it denotes beings with consciousness or sentience or, in some contexts, life itself. Specifically, it denotes the presence of the five aggregates, or Skandhas. While distinctions in usage and potential subdivisions or classes of sentient beings vary from one school, teacher, or thinker to another—and there is debate within some Buddhist schools as to what exactly constitutes sentience and how it is to be recognized—it principally refers to beings in contrast with Buddhahood. That is, sentient beings are characteristically not enlightened, and are thus confined to the death, Rebirth, and Suffering characteristic of Saṃsāra. However, Mahayana Buddhism simultaneously teaches (in the Tathagatagarbha doctrine particularly) that sentient beings also contain Buddha-nature—the intrinsic potential to transcend the conditions of Samsara and attain Enlightenment, thereby becoming a Buddha.
- "Those who greatly enlighten illusion are Buddhas; those who are greatly deluded about Enlightenment are sentient beings."::—Dōgen
In Mahayana Buddhism, it is to sentient beings that the Bodhisattva vow of compassion is pledged. Furthermore, and particularly in Tibetan Buddhism and Japanese Buddhism, all beings (including plant life and even inanimate objects or entities considered "spiritual" or "metaphysical" by conventional Western thought) are or may be considered sentient beings.
The Chinese Scholar T'ien-T'ai (538–597) taught that plants, and other insentient objects could attain Buddhahood. This is because of the principle of Ichinen Sanzen (Eng. 3,000 Realms in a Single Thought Moment).
Definition
Getz (2004: p. 760) provides a generalist Western Buddhist encyclopedic definition:
- Sentient beings is a term used to designate the totality of living, conscious beings that constitute the object and audience of Buddhist teaching. Translating various Sanskrit terms (jantu, bahu jana, jagat, sattva), sentient beings conventionally refers to the mass of living things subject to illusion, Suffering, and Rebirth (Saṃsāra). Less frequently, sentient beings as a class broadly encompasses all beings possessing consciousness, including Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.
Classification
Early scriptures in the Pali Canon and the conventions of the Tibetan Bhavachakra classify sentient beings into five categories—divinities, humans, animals, tormented spirits, and denizens of hell—although sometimes the classification adds another category of demonic beings between divinities and humans.
Wikipedia:Sentient beings (Buddhism)
sentient beings
有情 (Skt sattva; Jpn ujo )
Those living things endowed with feelings, emotion, and consciousness; that is, most of the animal kingdom including human beings. Buddhism broadly classifies all existence into sentient and insentient beings. "Insentient beings," while including plants, also includes non-living things such as stones and water.
