Difference between revisions of "Definition"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(Created page with "thumb|250px| The notion of definition or defining characteristics (Skt. ''lakṣaṇa''; Wyl. ''mtshan nyid'') is a very important ...") |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File:12 ory-top.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | [[File:12 ory-top.jpg|thumb|250px|]] | ||
| − | The notion of [[definition]] or [[defining characteristics]] (Skt. ''[[lakṣaṇa]]''; [[Wyl.]] ''[[mtshan nyid]]'') is a very important one in [[Buddhist philosophy]], so much so that the [[sutra vehicle]] is often known as the [[vehicle of characteristics]]. A correct and useful definition must avoid the three faults of being too narrow, too broad or impossible. | + | The notion of [[definition]] or [[defining characteristics]] (Skt. ''[[lakṣaṇa]]''; [[Wyl.]] ''[[mtshan nyid]]'') is a very important one in [[Buddhist philosophy]], so much so that the [[sutra vehicle]] is often known as the [[vehicle of characteristics]]. A correct and useful [[definition]] must avoid the three faults of being too narrow, too broad or impossible. |
==In [[Pramana]]== | ==In [[Pramana]]== | ||
In [[Pramana]], [[definition]] (''[[mtshan nyid]]'') is usually discussed in terms of the {{Wiki|triad}} of [[definition]] (''[[mtshan nyid]]''), [[name]] (''[[lakṣya]]''; ''[[mtshon bya]]'') and [[basis of definition]] (''[[mtshan gzhi]]''). | In [[Pramana]], [[definition]] (''[[mtshan nyid]]'') is usually discussed in terms of the {{Wiki|triad}} of [[definition]] (''[[mtshan nyid]]''), [[name]] (''[[lakṣya]]''; ''[[mtshon bya]]'') and [[basis of definition]] (''[[mtshan gzhi]]''). | ||
| − | For example, in the case of a vase: | + | For example, in the case of a [[vase]]: |
*the [[definition]] is something like "narrow-necked, bulbous [[object]] capable of holding [[water]]" | *the [[definition]] is something like "narrow-necked, bulbous [[object]] capable of holding [[water]]" | ||
| − | *the [[name]] (or definiendum) is "vase" | + | *the [[name]] (or definiendum) is "[[vase]]" |
| − | *and the [[basis of definition]] (or illustration) is the particular instance, such as the green vase on your table. | + | *and the [[basis of definition]] (or illustration) is the particular instance, such as the green [[vase]] on your table. |
{{RigpaWiki}} | {{RigpaWiki}} | ||
[[Category:Pramāṇa]] | [[Category:Pramāṇa]] | ||
Latest revision as of 05:28, 5 March 2015
The notion of definition or defining characteristics (Skt. lakṣaṇa; Wyl. mtshan nyid) is a very important one in Buddhist philosophy, so much so that the sutra vehicle is often known as the vehicle of characteristics. A correct and useful definition must avoid the three faults of being too narrow, too broad or impossible.
In Pramana
In Pramana, definition (mtshan nyid) is usually discussed in terms of the triad of definition (mtshan nyid), name (lakṣya; mtshon bya) and basis of definition (mtshan gzhi).
For example, in the case of a vase:
- the definition is something like "narrow-necked, bulbous object capable of holding water"
- the name (or definiendum) is "vase"
- and the basis of definition (or illustration) is the particular instance, such as the green vase on your table.
