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Significance of Past action

Past action, as understood in various philosophies, refers to deeds performed in previous lives that significantly influence current experiences, circumstances, and states of being. In Jainism, Vaishnavism, and other traditions like Ayurveda and Vedanta, past actions shape an individual's destiny, affecting their present life and spiritual journey. Each philosophy emphasizes the concept of personal accountability and retributive justice, illustrating how cumulative past actions determine one's experiences, behaviors, and future outcomes in the cycle of existence.

Synonyms: Previous action, Previous deed, Prior act, Former action

In Dutch: Verleden actie; In Finnish: Mennyt toiminta; In Spanish: Acci贸n pasada; In German: Vergangene Aktion; In Swedish: Tidigare handling; In Malay: Tindakan lepas; In French: Action pass茅e

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

Buddhist concept of 'Past action'

Buddhism Books

Past action in Buddhism encompasses behaviors and deeds from previous lives affecting current situations and karmic forces, influencing present experiences, knowledge of past actions impacting rebirth, and shaping enlightenment potential and future retribution.

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

From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

(1) The actions that have already occurred, which continue to have effects and conditions that do not perish, influencing one's future experiences and retribution.[1] (2) Actions that have been carried out in previous lifetimes, whose consequences can influence the present and future experiences.[2] (3) The knowledge (vidya) regarding the actions in past lives that affect rebirths.[3]

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.

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

From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas

(1) The deeds performed by individuals in former existences that can influence their current state and enlightenment potential.[4]

From: Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)

(1) Behaviour and deeds from previous life experiences that influence the current life situation and kammic forces.[5]

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).

Hindu concept of 'Past action'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, Past action encompasses the influence of deeds from previous lives on current and future experiences, emphasizing retributive justice, personal accountability, and the karmic results that shape one's spiritual journey and present existence.

Significance in Vedanta (school of philosophy):
Vedanta Books

From: Vivekachudamani

(1) The previous deeds that influence the current state and experiences of an individual.[6] (2) Past actions refer to the deeds performed by an individual in previous lifetimes that contribute to the formation of their current gross body.[7] (3) The deeds and karma accumulated in previous lives that influence current experiences and cycles of existence.[8]

From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)

(1) The deeds or actions performed in previous lives that can influence the current manifestation of Knowledge.[9] (2) The previous deeds and decisions taken by the soul that influence its current state and experiences in the human body.[10]

From: Brihadaranyaka Upanishad

(1) The cumulative effects of previous deeds that influence the present state of being, particularly as it pertains to the attainment of knowledge or status.[11]

From: Chandogya Upanishad (english Translation)

(1) Refers to the impacts of previous deeds that influence current existence.[12]

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 Purana and Itihasa (epic history):
Purana Books

From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4

(1) The previous deeds that are believed to influence future outcomes and are associated with the concept of retributive justice.[13] (2) The deeds or behaviors that a person has undertaken previously, impacting their current state.[14] (3) The deeds and behaviors from previous existences that influence an individual's current fate and circumstances.[15]

The Purana refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India鈥檚 vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

Significance in Dharmashastra (religious law):
Dharmashastra Books

From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi

(1) The concept that current experiences of pleasure and pain are manifestations of one鈥檚 previous deeds, emphasizing personal accountability.[16] (2) Previous undertakings that are analyzed for their outcomes.[17]

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: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) A grammatical indication in Sanskrit used to convey actions that occurred in the past while maintaining present relevance.[18]

From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation

(1) The deeds and behaviors of beings that influence their current states and circumstances within the cycle of existence.[19]

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 Ayurveda (science of life):
Ayurveda Books

From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)

(1) The deeds or conduct from previous lives which have consequences in the current or future lives.[20]

Ayurveda is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Ayurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

Significance in Yoga (school of philosophy):
Yoga Books

From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)

(1) Previous deeds that contribute to the karmas which govern the life of an individual prior to achieving liberation.[21]

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as asanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

Jain concept of 'Past action'

Jainism Books

In Jainism, Past action signifies the karmic influences shaping present experiences, such as Sagara's response to Sukumarika, and encompasses previous deeds categorized as misery, emphasizing that such actions inherently lead to suffering.

Significance in Jainism (general):

From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)

(1) Actions that have occurred in the past, categorized as misery, under the perspective that doing them produces suffering.[22]

From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra

(1) Karma that influences the present circumstances and experiences of characters, such as Sagara's reaction to Sukumarika.[23]

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 Past action in local and regional sources

History Books

Past action refers to an individual's previous deeds, shaping current circumstances and future experiences, influencing happiness or misery, and emphasizing how one's journey is dictated by the accumulation of past actions, as mentioned in various philosophical teachings.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) These are all of the deeds that one has done in the past, which are good because they guide one toward their ultimate purpose.[24] (2) This term refers to the previous actions one has taken that are the causes of effects, in the context of metaphysics, impacting their present circumstances.[25] (3) The text says that the concentrations with seed do not eradicate the seeds of past actions, and hence, these concentrations do not provide liberation.[26] (4) The accumulation of previous deeds determines the present circumstances, underscoring how an individual's journey into this world is shaped by the sum total of actions from the past.[27] (5) The term 'past actions' refers to the actions a person has taken in the past, which, according to the text, determine the present circumstances and the wealth or good things that come to them.[28]

From: History of Science in South Asia

(1) This is one of the causes of some experiences, and is part of the eightfold enumeration of sufferings, according to the Buddhist teachings, as well as a viewpoint held by some ascetics and Brahmans.[29]

Plural form: Past actions.