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Significance of Initiation

Initiation is a significant concept across various spiritual traditions, encompassing a ceremonial process where individuals begin their spiritual journeys and commitments. In Hinduism, it involves rituals leading to deeper understanding, while Jainism highlights personal transformations towards enlightenment. Tibetan Buddhism views initiation as a sacred ritual empowering practitioners with spiritual teachings. Similarly, Vaishnavism emphasizes the formal acceptance of devotees into spiritual practice. Overall, initiation serves as a formal entry point into spiritual communities, underscoring commitment and personal growth within these diverse religious frameworks.1
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Synonyms: Commencement, Beginning, Start, Introduction, Launch, Onset, Opening, Inception, Commencement., Outset, Inauguration

In French: Initiation; In Dutch: Initiatie; In Finnish: Initiaatio; In Spanish: 滨苍颈肠颈补肠颈贸苍; In German: Einleitung; In Swedish: Initiering; In Malay: Permulaan

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Buddhist concept of 'Initiation'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, Initiation is a sacred ritual empowering practitioners with blessings, teachings, and spiritual connection through formal processes, crucial for their spiritual development and understanding, often facilitating deeper esoteric practices and monastic life.

Significance in Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism):
Tibetan Buddhism Books

From: Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po)

(1) A formal ceremony or process through which practitioners are introduced to spiritual practices.[1] (2) Ceremonial rites that the Venerable conducted, showcasing his role as a teacher and authority within the Buddhist community.[2] (3) A ritual process in which a practitioner is formally introduced to specific teachings, practices, or spiritual empowerments.[3] (4) spiritual rites or ceremonies that rgyal ba yang dgon pa received, particularly the sgyu 'phrul initiation, integral to his development.[4] (5) A formal process through which Venerable gling received the teachings and practices associated with the Dharma.[5]

From: The Six Yogas of Naropa

(1) Ritual ceremonies that confer spiritual blessings and insights, often seen as prerequisites for deeper esoteric practices.[6] (2) A crucial step in Tantric practice, involving a formal rite that opens the path for deeper teachings and understanding.[7]

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha鈥檚 words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayana) are collected indepently.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6

(1) The process that Asitabhu undertook to learn how to cultivate her spiritual faculties.[8]

Theravada is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Significance in Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism):
Mahayana Books

From: Mahavastu (great story)

(1) The formal process by which Yashoda was ordained a monk and embraced the monastic life.[9]

Mahayana is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sutras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajnaparamita sutras.

Hindu concept of 'Initiation'

Hinduism Books

Initiation in Hinduism signifies a formal entry into spiritual practice, marking a significant transition into religious studies and responsibilities. This process often involves ceremonies, rituals, and teachings, establishing one's role within the community and spirituality.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) A significant spiritual ceremony or rite that marks the beginning of an individual's journey into a caste or spiritual community.[10] (2) The formal beginning of one鈥檚 journey in spiritual education, often marked by specific rituals or milestones acknowledged in Vedic contexts.[11] (3) The second birth signifying entry into a Vedic tradition or life-stage, which is seen as a prerequisite for the responsibilities of a Householder.[12] (4) The process by which a boy becomes a religious student and is formally inducted into spiritual practices and learning.[13] (5) The process or ceremony through which an individual is formally admitted or accepted into a particular group or social practice.[14]

From: Gobhila-grihya-sutra

(1) Initiation refers to the process whereby a student is prepared for their religious duties, including receiving a staff and being taught the associated responsibilities.[15] (2) A ceremonial process by which individuals from different castes are affirmed into their social roles.[16]

From: Sankhayana-grihya-sutra

(1) The process or event by which someone is introduced to a specific set of rules or rituals.[17] (2) A formal event for a Brahmacarin, symbolizing the beginning of their spiritual journey or studies in Hinduism.[18]

From: Vasistha Dharmasutra

(1) A ritualistic ceremony marking a person's admission into a spiritual community, requiring certain prerequisites.[19]

From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra

(1) The ceremonial process through which a child gains the right to perform religious rites and becomes recognized in the spiritual context.[20]

From: Khadira-grihya-sutra

(1) A ceremonial rite through which individuals receive spiritual awakening or entry into a religious community.[21]

Dharmashastra contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)

(1) The ceremonial act of accepting disciples into the spiritual practice, which was initially not performed by Shrila Gurudeva.[22] (2) The spiritual ceremony of receiving harinama and diksha, marking a formal commitment to the path of devotion.[23] (3) A sacred rite given by Madhavendra Puri to Advaita Acarya, marking his acceptance into the spiritual practice.[24] (4) A ceremonial process of recognizing and accepting someone into a spiritual or religious practice.[25]

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) The formal process where a devotee fully surrenders to Lord Krishna, marking the beginning of their transformative journey into spiritual existence.[26]

Vaishnava or vaishnavism (vaishnavism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshipping Vishnu as the supreme Lord. Similar to the Shaktism and Shaivism traditions, Vaishnavism also developed as an individual movement, famous for its exposition of the dashavatara (鈥榯en avatars of Vishnu鈥�).

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)

(1) The ceremonial process through which Gautama accepts Satyakama as a disciple, indicating his entry into spiritual learning.[27] (2) These are experiences that signify man's suffering and desires, akin to the painful rituals of initiation.[28]

From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)

(1) The process of formally accepting someone into a spiritual or religious order, marked by the presentation of the sacred thread.[29]

Vedanta refers to a school of orthodox Hindu philosophy (astika), drawing its subject-matter from the Upanishads. There are a number of sub-schools of Vedanta, however all of them expound on the basic teaching of the ultimate reality (brahman) and liberation (moksha) of the individual soul (atman).

Significance in Hinduism (general):

From: Satapatha-brahmana

(1) The ceremonial act that is part of the Agnihotra sacrifice.[30]

From: The Sarva-Darsana-Samgraha

(1) A ceremonial process in spiritual practice, involving stages leading to deeper understanding and commitment.[31]

Significance in Shaktism (Shakta philosophy):
Shaktism Books

From: Shakti and Shakta

(1) A ceremonial act of admitting someone into a religious community or practice, often involving specific rites in both Vaidik and Tantrik contexts.[32]

Shakta or Shaktism (shaktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

Jain concept of 'Initiation'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Initiation embodies the formal acceptance into a spiritual tradition, marking a transformative journey through rituals and commitments, guiding individuals toward spiritual enlightenment and liberation from worldly attachments.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) The process by which individuals are formally introduced to spiritual teachings and practices, particularly among the ascetics.[33] (2) A ceremonial act associated with Malli's birth, emphasizing her significance.[34] (3) A formal acceptance into a religious order, signifying a commitment to spiritual practice.[35] (4) The act of starting a spiritual journey or practice, which in this context refers to Rama beginning his penance under the guidance of a sage.[36] (5) The formal introduction into a particular practice or belief system, which Nalinagulma underwent from Rishi Vajradatta.[37]

From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)

(1) The process through which Mahabalakumar chooses to become a monk under Dharmaghosha, leaving behind his royal duties.[38]

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, 鈥榮elf-reliance鈥�) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

The concept of Initiation in local and regional sources

History Books

Initiation encompasses a crucial ritual for welcoming individuals into spiritual communities, a transformative learning experience in literature, and the beginning of challenging journeys that foster personal growth and understanding.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) The start of a process or experience, often involving challenges and growth as one begins a journey.[39] (2) A pivotal ritual (upanayana) aimed at welcoming individuals into a spiritual community, particularly for the twice-born classes.[40] (3) The process through which readers undergo a learning experience to understand the complexities of modern literature.[41]

Plural form: Initiations.