Significance of Four kinds
The term "Four kinds" is significant across various philosophies and texts. In Buddhism, it refers to loving-kindness, sympathy, joy, and equanimity, essential for liberation. Jainism highlights four types of meditation and perception. In Vastushastra, it denotes classifications of doves linked to misfortune. The Vaishnavism perspective includes four categories of living entities. Meanwhile, Dharmashastra mentions four methods for achieving human goals. Overall, "Four kinds" encompasses diverse classifications in spiritual practice, meditation, social relations, and more across different traditions.
Synonyms: Four types, Four categories, Four varieties, Four classes, Four groups
In Dutch: Vier soorten; In Finnish: Neljä lajia; In Spanish: Cuatro tipos; In German: Vier Arten; In Finnish: Neljää lajia; In Swedish: Fyra sorter; In Malay: Empat jenis; In French: Quatre types
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Four kinds'
In Buddhism, "Four kinds" encompasses advanced practices, spiritual attainments, structured mindfulness categories, classifications of Kavi, conditions for loving-kindness, and categories of kappiya-bhumi, guiding individuals toward self-awareness and liberation.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) Refers to the categorization of spiritual attainment in Buddhist teachings, specifically four types of fruit in the religious life and four kinds of arya.[1]
From: Shurangama Sutra (with commentary) (English)
(1) Refers to the specific categories of advanced practices (heat, summit, patience, first in the world) that follow the purification of the forty-one minds.[2]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) The practices are grouped into four distinct categories, which provide a structured approach to cultivating mindfulness and insight, guiding individuals through various stages of self-awareness.[3]
From: Vinaya (2): The Mahavagga
(1) Refers to the different categories of kappiya-bhumi allowed by the Blessed One, which include a proclamation, ox-stall, layman’s building, and a duly chosen site.[4]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) Refers to the four classifications of Kavi described in the text: Cinta kavi, Suta kavi, Attha kavi, and Patibhana kavi.[5]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) Refers to the four important conditions of loving-kindness, sympathy, joy, and equanimity which lead to emancipation.[6]
Hindu concept of 'Four kinds'
In Hinduism, the "Four kinds" encompasses various classifications, including future perspectives, methods of human purpose, desires, categories of living beings, and distinct classifications of actions and styles, reflecting the diversity within spiritual and worldly contexts.
From: Thirty minor Upanishads
(1) Refers to the four types of internal organs: manas (will-thought), buddhi (determination), ahankara (egoism), and citta (memory).[7] (2) The classification of bhikshus into four types based on their practices and lifestyles.[8]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Refers to the four types of atoms identified: earth, water, fire, and air.[9]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) Abhava or non-existence is classified into four kinds: pragabhava, pradhvamsabhava, atyantabhava, and anyonyabhava.[10]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) Refers to a categorization of organic beings that is mentioned, highlighting diversity in living forms.[11]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Refers to the different types of troops supporting the king: foot-soldiers, car-warriors, cavalry, and elephants.[12] (2) Indicates the different categories of living beings that are acknowledged in the context of creation.[13] (3) Referring to the various categories of living creatures created during the act of creation.[14]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The classification of types related to reticence.[15]
From: Gautami Mahatmya
(1) Refers to the classification of Tirthas (sacred places or waters) into four categories within the text.[16]
From: Bhajana-Rahasya
(1) Refers to the classification of Hridaya-daurbalya into four distinct types.[17] (2) The classification of asat-trishna into four distinct desires: worldly objects, heavenly pleasures, mystic powers, and liberation.[18] (3) The categorization of aparadha as outlined in the Amnaya-sutra-vyakhya, which describes distinct types of offenses.[19]
From: Garga Samhita (English)
(1) Catur-vidha signifies the variety of foods that were provided, implying a diverse selection of culinary offerings.[20] (2) catuh-vidhah refers to the four distinct categories of living entities that exist.[21]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Categories of eunuchs outlined in the text, which include various conditions of virility.[22] (2) The four classifications of Arthavada passages which include Stuti, Ninda, Parakriti, and Purakalpa as outlined by Vatsyayana.[23] (3) The four distinct methods identified for achieving the purposes of man: acquiring, saving, augmenting, and giving.[24] (4) Refers to the classification of individuals who have left and returned, each with differing motivations and implications for their loyalty.[25]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The four distinct categories of objectless actions referenced in the text.[26] (2) Indicates the classifications of the future, which comprise immediate future, not immediate future, and a combination of the two.[27] (3) Refers to additional classifications of objects beyond the three kinds, as mentioned to be explained further in the text.[28]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) This phrase denotes the classification of Vidya into four distinct types: Directly sensuous, Inferential, Recollective, and Superhuman.[29] (2) The four distinct types of dimension are Minute, Large, Long, and Short, each with specific characteristics and classifications.[30]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 4: Iatrochemistry
(1) Refers to the classification of water types used in the medicinal preparation—rainwater, ice water, hailstone water, and cold water.[31]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 2: Minerals (uparasa)
(1) Haritala consists of Patra-haritala, Pinda-haritala, Godanta-haritala, and Vakadala-haritala.[32]
From: Vastu-shastra (Introduction to Indian architecture)
(1) The classifications of a particular type of dove that signify varying degrees of misfortune when they enter a house.[33]
From: Hayanaratna: The Jewel of Annual Astrology
(1) This refers to the different types or classifications of the table of friendships, each with its own criteria for determining the relationships between celestial bodies.[34]
From: Shukra Niti by Shukracharya
(1) The classifications of friends and enemies based on their actions and relationships.[35]
Jain concept of 'Four kinds'
The keyphrase "Four kinds in Jainism" encompasses four distinct categories: types of meditation, dhyana classifications, perception-cognition methods, and subdivisions of reverence, reflecting various dimensions of spiritual practice and understanding in Jain traditions.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) The categorization of pure meditation as consisting of four distinct types, although only the first two are emphasized in the text.[36] (2) Denotes the four types of perception-cognition (darshanopayoga), which classify different ways of perceiving reality.[37] (3) This denotes the four subdivisions of reverence (vinaya), signifying different forms of respect and humility in spiritual practice.[38]
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) The categories of dhyana meditation, classified into two evil (arta and raudra) and two good (dharma and shukla).[39]
The concept of Four kinds in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Four kinds" pertains to the four categories of expression in Indian dance, which include costume and jewellery, speech, gestures, and bodily movements, as well as involuntary emotional manifestations, reflecting diverse artistic forms.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The four categories of expression in Indian Dance: through costume and jewellery, speech, gestures and bodily movements, and involuntary emotional manifestations.[40]
From: Sanskrit Words In Southeast Asian Languages
(1) This phrase describes something that is of four kinds, according to the information in the provided text.[41]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) These types of Yogas must be harmonized and practiced.[42]