Significance of Bhavana
Synonyms: Contemplation, Meditation, Reflection, Introspection
In Dutch: Bhavana; In German: Bhavana; In Finnish: Bhavana; In Spanish: Bhavana; In Swedish: Bhavana; In Malay: Bhavana; In French: Bhavana
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Bhavana'
Bhavana in Buddhism encompasses mental development and cultivation through meditation, focusing on practices like samatha and vipassana. It aims to enhance wholesome thoughts, awareness, and spiritual growth towards achieving enlightenment and liberation.
From: Patipada (path of practice)
(1) Meditation practice aimed at mental development, as taught by Venerable Acharn to the young girl.[1] (2) A practice associated with meditation and mental development, where one sees various realities, such as heavens, hells, and one's own kamma and fortune.[2] (3) Mental development or cultivation, particularly in meditation practice.[3] (4) A meditative practice aimed at developing the mind through techniques that foster calmness and skillfulness.[4] (5) The practice of mental development in Buddhism, including meditation techniques aimed at cultivating wisdom and calmness.[5]
From: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada
(1) Bhavana signifies the development of mental training that can lead to jhana, or deep concentration.[6] (2) The practice of mental cultivation that helps restrain the mind and develop wholesome thoughts and actions.[7] (3) Mental cultivation focused on developing mindfulness and insight, crucial for advancing on the path to Nibbana.[8] (4) The practice of mental development or meditation, specifically referencing vipassana practice as a good act leading to liberation.[9] (5) The Buddhist term for development or cultivation of the mind, particularly through meditation practices.[10]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) Mind training or meditation practice aimed at developing qualities such as loving-kindness and true wisdom.[11] (2) The practice or cultivation of meditation aimed at mental development and self-improvement.[12] (3) The process of mental culture and development that leads to good behavior and happiness, often associated with meditation.[13] (4) Meditation or mental development practices aimed at cultivating positive mental states or qualities.[14]
From: Cetasikas
(1) Bhavana means mental development or cultivation, particularly aiming at developing calm (samatha) and insight (vipassana) to facilitate the growth of kusala.[15] (2) Mental development, particularly through the cultivation of mindfulness and understanding of reality.[16] (3) Mental cultivation or development, typically through meditation and understanding the teachings.[17] (4) Mental development or cultivation, often associated with meditation practices.[18]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
(1) Bhávaná refers to the development or cultivation of the mind, specifically through practices that purify the mind.[19] (2) The practice of mental development or meditation aimed at cultivating mindfulness and insight for better rebirth.[20]
From: A Manual of Abhidhamma
(1) Meditation practice which is divided into two types: samatha (calm) and vipassana (insight).[21] (2) The mental development or cultivation leading to awareness and enlightenment.[22]
From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life
(1) Mental development, including practices like samatha, vipassana, and the study or teaching of Dhamma.[23]
From: Patthana Dhamma
(1) Mental cultivation or development, particularly associated with practices leading to jhana; it is essential for enhancing one's spiritual development.[24]
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) Translates to 'Habit' and encompasses habitual behaviors and their impact on feelings and attachments.[25]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The practice of mental cultivation in Buddhism, which helps in realizing the true nature of dharmas.[26]
Hindu concept of 'Bhavana'
In Hinduism, Bhavana encompasses various processes used in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurveda, involving the mixing, grinding, and treatment of ingredients with specific substances to enhance their medicinal properties and form individual experiences.
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry
(1) The process applied to the mixture, which involves rubbing and mixing the ingredients.[27] (2) A process of subjecting the compound to treatment with decoctions for enhancement.[28] (3) A process in the preparation where the compound is subjected to a specific method of treatment to enhance its medicinal properties.[29] (4) A process in Ayurvedic medicine involving repeated mixing with specific juices or decoctions to enhance the medicinal properties.[30] (5) A process mentioned in which the mixture is treated with specific substances (biles) in succession.[31]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)
(1) A process that involves the use of specific substances, including cowdung and cow's urine, to treat or solidify mercury.[32] (2) The process of subjecting shilajatu to specific treatments with decoctions or juices for strengthening.[33] (3) A method of layering or processing in Ayurveda which, when applied to essence of mica, helps it assume a black appearance signifying its readiness for use.[34] (4) A method involving rubbing Haritala with various juices multiple times to enhance its purification.[35] (5) A method used to treat the separated layers of mica with the juice of tanduliyaka and sour liquid.[36]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances
(1) A term indicating a process or practice involving meditative concentration or visualization, particularly in the context of spiritual or medicinal applications.[37] (2) A process that involves repeated application or treatment with specific substances to achieve desired effects on iron.[38] (3) A process of subjecting metals to a specific treatment multiple times, enhancing their purification.[39] (4) A process involving the application of specific substances repeatedly as part of the preparation or incineration of iron.[40] (5) A process of treatment involving the application of certain substances, such as blood of bugs, to diamonds.[41]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory
(1) A technique of rubbing and mixing ingredients repeatedly to improve their properties in the metal transformation processes.[42] (2) The process of adding or mixing substances with mercury to enhance its properties.[43] (3) A traditional alchemical procedure involving repeated applications of ingredients such as juices and flowers to empower mercury for transformation.[44] (4) A process that involves rubbing or treating a substance with another to enhance its properties.[45] (5) The process of subjecting a metal to treatment with juices from corresponding plant groups for color alteration.[46]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 5: Treatment of various afflictions
(1) A process involving the mixing and treatment of ingredients with other substances for medicinal preparation.[47] (2) A traditional method of processing herbs or ingredients to enhance their therapeutic properties.[48]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The concept of 'bringing about', related to the root of a verb expressing action.[49] (2) The process of giving form to consciousness, illustrating how experiences shape understanding.[50] (3) The tendency to act according to the nature of the different classes of beings, which can be inherited or arise in this life.[51] (4) A term relating to the notion of development or a process in association with action expressed through suffixes.[52]
From: Laghu-yoga-vasistha
(1) Mental formations or thoughts that create individual experiences in the world.[53] (2) The process of thought formation or mental contemplation that can lead to attachments or liberation depending on its nature.[54]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) A form of meditation intended to cultivate awareness, noted as unnecessary for realizing Brahman.[55]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) A term describing a grand mansion and its architectural features, referenced in the context of building types.[56]
From: Parama Samhita (English translation)
(1) A house set aside for worship, where divine grace is believed to extend only to the family conducting the worship.[57]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) The mood or sentiment cultivated during devotional practices that lead to deeper engagement and connection with the divine.[58]
Jain concept of 'Bhavana'
In Jainism, Bhavana encompasses meditative practices and reflections essential for spiritual growth, internalizing teachings, and supporting religious exercises, along with referring to heavenly realms and the abodes of the Bhavanavasi devas.
From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)
(1) The first type of heaven mentioned where souls can be lodged.[59] (2) Refers to realms or divisions where different Indras, along with their respective bodyguard gods, reside; includes a total of 6,000 for other Indras.[60] (3) The term used for the abodes of the Bhavanavasi devas, indicating the spaces they occupy.[61]
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) (भावन�, bhavana), refers to supporting clause to mahavratas.[62] (2) Meditations focused on various aspects of existence and understanding, crucial for spiritual development.[63]
From: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
(1) Religious exercises or meditative practices that lead to specific kinds of spiritual development or deterioration.[64] (2) A term that likely refers to the meditative practices or reflections that lead to spiritual growth and understanding.[65]