In Indian philosophy and Indian religions, (, )
The idea of jñāna centers on a cognitive event which is recognized when experienced. It is knowledge inseparable from the total experience of reality, especially the total or divine reality (Brahman).
Etymology
Jñāna means "
knowledge" in
Sanskrit. The root ज्ञा-
jñā- is cognate to Slavic
znati, English
know, Greek
γνώ- (as in γνῶσις
gnosis), and Lithuanian
žinoti. Its antonym is अज्ञान
ajñāna "ignorance".
In Buddhism
In
Tibetan Buddhism,
jñāna (Tibetan:
ye shes) refers to pure awareness that is free of conceptual encumbrances, and is contrasted with
vijnana, which is a moment of 'divided knowing'. Entrance to, and progression through the ten stages of
jñāna (Bodhisattva
bhūmis), will lead one to complete enlightenment (bodhi) and
nirvana.
[Gampopa's "Jewel Ornament of Liberation", especially the ten bhūmis, where the absorption state or non-dual state, which characterizes all ten bhūmis, in this well-respected traditional text, is equated to the state of jñāna]
In Theravāda Buddhism there are various vipassana- ñānas or "insight knowledges" on the path of insight into the true nature of reality.[The Progress of Insight: (Visuddhiñāna-katha), by the Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw, translated from the Pali with Notes by Nyanaponika Thera (1994; 33pp./99KB)] As a person meditates these ñānas or "knowledges" will be experienced in order. The experience of each may be brief or may last for years and the subjective intensity of each is variable. Each ñāna could also be considered a jhāna although many are not stable and the mind has no way to remain embedded in the experience. Experiencing all the ñānas will lead to the first of the four stages of enlightenment, then the cycle will start over at a subtler level.
In Hinduism
Nyaya
In
Nyaya,
jñāna is a mental event, better translated as cognition rather than knowledge.
Jñāna can be true or false.
Jñāna is not belief, but lead to the formation of belief. All true cognitions reflect their object. However, true cognitions do not always arise from a source of knowledge. True cognitions can also arise accidentally.
Vedanta
In
Vedanta, Jnana refers to "salvific knowledge", or knowledge that leads to liberation (
moksha). The Upanishads, forming the concluding part of the Vedas, are regarded as the repository of this spiritual knowledge, and are thus referred to as the
jnanakanda.
Prajñānam Brahma (प्रज्ञानम् ब्रह्म), one of the Mahāvākyas, roughly means "Insight is Brahman" or "Brahman is Insight".
Yoga
Jnana yoga (ज्ञानयोग, lit. Yoga of Knowledge) is one of the three main paths (मार्ग,
Sadhana), which are supposed to lead towards
moksha (मोक्ष, liberation) from material miseries. The other two main paths are
Karma yoga and
Bhakti Yoga. Rāja yoga (राजयोग, classical yoga) which includes several yogas, is also said to lead to
moksha. It is said that each path is meant for a different temperament of personality.
In Jainism
According to the Jain texts like Tattvārthsūtra (śloka 1.9) and Sarvārthasiddhi, knowledge is of five kinds:
-
Mati Jñāna (Sensory Knowledge)
-
Śruta Jñāna (Scriptural Knowledge)
-
Avadhi Jñāna (Clairvoyance)
-
Manaḥ prayāya Jñāna (Telepathy)
-
Kevala jnana (Omniscience)
In Sikhism
Gyan or
Gian refers to spiritual knowledge. Learned people are often referred to as "Giani". It is mentioned throughout the Guru Granth Sahib.
See also
Notes
Sources
-
Anna Dallapiccola, Dictionary of Hindu Lore and Legend ()
External links
