Significance of Living creature
The concept of "Living creature" is interpreted diversely across various traditions. In Buddhism, it signifies sentient beings influenced by desire and attachment. Hinduism extends it to include entities benefiting from sacrificial practices. Jainism emphasizes moral obligations to protect all sentient life, while Tibetan Buddhism addresses beings under the guidance of enlightened beings. Vaishnavism highlights beings infused with love for Lord Rama. These perspectives underline the ethical treatment of living creatures across cultures, recognizing their interconnectedness and the need for compassion.
Synonyms: Organism, Being, Creature, Animal, Entity, Animate object
In Dutch: Levend wezen; In Finnish: El盲v盲 Olento; In Spanish: Criatura viviente; In German: Lebewesen; In Malay: Makhluk Hidup; In Swedish: Levande Varelse; In French: Cr茅ature vivante
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Living creature'
In Buddhism, "Living creatures" encompass all sentient beings influenced by enlightenment, moral actions, and suffering, emphasizing ethical behavior towards life forms, protection from harm, and the interconnectedness of existence and karma.
From: Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6
(1) All forms of life that the Bodhisatta urges the King to protect and not cause harm.[1] (2) Refers to the animals collected by the brahmins for sacrificial purposes, highlighting the sacrifice's impact on life.[2] (3) Refers to animals that were killed in the context of offering sacrifices, highlighting the ethical implications of such actions.[3]
From: Vinaya (1): The Patimokkha
(1) Refers to animals or beings that can be affected by the actions of Bhikkhus, particularly in regard to food.[4]
From: Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka
(1) Two entities that Jivaka extracted from the merchant's head during the treatment, which he used to explain the severity of the situation.[5]
From: Milindapanha (questions of King Milinda)
(1) Refers to beings that can experience life, and in this context, is associated with moral responsibility and ethical behavior.[6]
From: Mahavastu (great story)
(1) All forms of life that can be affected by actions of harm, particularly in the context of causing suffering through violent acts.[7] (2) Snakes, centipedes, and scorpions mentioned as examples of beings that have suffered at the hands of those who later face punishment in hell.[8] (3) Referring to the sentient beings whose suffering contributes to the karma of those reborn in hell.[9]
From: Apadana commentary (Atthakatha)
(1) Refers to all beings that are part of the natural world and are affected by the king's actions.[10] (2) Aggregates of beings; specifically highlighted in the context of receding from or being secluded away from them.[11]
Hindu concept of 'Living creature'
In Hinduism, "Living creature" encompasses various life forms, created by Brahma and composed of the five elements, emphasizing interconnectedness, divine essence, and the cycle of existence, as well as the importance of compassion towards all beings.
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) Any sentient being that undergoes destruction through acts and continual rebirth.[12] (2) Refers to beings that experience life and death, central to the discussion around the inevitability of death and the suffering of Uttara.[13] (3) All beings that inhabited the earth during Rama's reign, who were said to thrive under his just leadership.[14] (4) All beings that exist, which become deluded by the sensations of sound, touch, color, taste, and smell.[15] (5) All beings that are alive, which should not be harmed according to the dictates of abstention from injury.[16]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) Biological entities that possess life, including animals and humans.[17] (2) The diverse wildlife inhabiting the area, embodying the richness of the ecosystem.[18] (3) Denotes all forms of life that inhabit the oceans, showcasing the continuous cycle of life and death.[19] (4) Various species of beings that exist and have life, compared to the waves of the ocean.[20]
From: Vishnu Purana
(1) Beings that derive sustenance and life from the natural processes of rain, vegetation, and the sun's influence.[21] (2) The various forms of life that populate the universe, including gods, men, and animals, as indicated in the narrative.[22] (3) Refers to all beings brought into existence through the will of Daksha, showcasing the complexity and interrelation of life in this mythological framework.[23]
From: Ramayana of Valmiki (Griffith)
(1) This refers to the beings that are dependent on the cow, highlighting her role in providing sustenance and supporting life.[24] (2) This refers to any being that is alive, encompassing all forms of animal life.[25] (3) Refers to the beings created by Brahm鈥檃, emphasizing the connection of all life to the supreme creator's will.[26]
From: Anugita (English translation)
(1) Refers to all beings that have life, which are the subject of discussion regarding the ethics of slaughter and sacrifice.[27]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) Entities that possess life and are believed to embody the divine essence as expressed through the concept of Vaishvanara-fire.[28] (2) Refers to beings that possess vital breath, which is distinct from the chief vital air discussed.[29] (3) Referring to beings such as donkeys, horses, and snakes that also possess hearts similar in size, suggesting a shared characteristic among different species.[30]
From: Katha Upanishad with Shankara鈥檚 Commentary
(1) All beings that possess life, within which the Purusha or internal atman is said to reside.[31] (2) Refers to bhutas, which are the beings that are created and are part of the natural world, highlighting their existence as a result of the divine.[32]
From: Brahma Sutras (Shankaracharya)
(1) Living creatures are the beings that are created and whose merit and demerit are considered as the cause of the unequal conditions within the creation, and they are not at fault for the Lord's actions.[33] (2) All beings that are alive, which require compassion and care according to the duties of the ashramas.[34]
From: Mundaka Upanishad (Madhva commentary)
(1) A term encompassing all forms of life, drawing a parallel to the shared essence of all religions.[35]
From: Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi
(1) Refers to all beings that are alive, emphasizing the prohibition against causing them harm through one's actions.[36] (2) Any form of life, including animals such as birds and insects, which can be beneficiaries of food offerings.[37] (3) Refers to any beings that are alive, emphasizing the prohibition of certain actions in their presence.[38] (4) Refers to beings that are alive, specifically in the context of prohibitions against causing them harm.[39] (5) Refers to all forms of life, specifically interpreted here as including minute animalcules, indicating a broad ethical consideration of harm.[40]
From: Apastamba Dharma-sutra
(1) All beings that exist, which are seen as dwelling places for the Atman that is immortal and pure.[41]
From: Kathasaritsagara (the Ocean of Story)
(1) Symbolized by bees in the story, representing the souls caught in the cycle of existence and their actions.[42]
From: Natyashastra (English)
(1) Refers to the presence and role of animals or representations of animals in a performance.[43]
From: Tiruvaymoli (Thiruvaimozhi): English translation
(1) All beings, from the highest to the lowest, that exist in Ayodhya and are soaked in love for Lord Rama.[44]
From: Satapatha-brahmana
(1) Refers to all entities that benefit from the Agnihotra, particularly as they are symbolically represented as embryos.[45]
Jain concept of 'Living creature'
In Jainism, "Living creature" encompasses all sentient beings, highlighting the moral imperative to protect them from harm, particularly through ethical actions that preserve life, emphasizing compassion and non-violence in all aspects.
From: Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra
(1) Refers to sentient beings with five senses, whose lives are preserved through ethical actions, especially refraining from killing.[46] (2) All forms of life, which were granted protection from harm by King Jitashatru.[47] (3) Refers to the jivas, or sentient beings, which inhabit the ground during the rainy season.[48] (4) All beings that possess life, underlining the moral obligation to protect them from harm, especially in sacrificial contexts.[49]
From: Acaranga-sutra
(1) Refers to all breathing, existing, and sentient beings that should not be harmed or treated with violence.[50] (2) All beings that exist, which serve as a point of consideration for the happiness amidst challenges.[51]
The concept of Living creature in local and regional sources
The keyphrase "Living creature" encompasses all life forms deserving compassion, emphasizing humane treatment and respect, as highlighted by the responsibilities of individuals like Chando and the teachings of figures like King Priyadarsi and Gandhiji.
From: Triveni Journal
(1) These beings, in general, were considered with the widest sympathy by Gandhiji, and this aspect, combined with rationality, defines the core of the Gandhian outlook on socialism.[52] (2) Refers to all sentient beings, which King Priyadarsi instructs to be treated with compassion and not to be harmed.[53] (3) Any form of life that deserves kindness and respect.[54] (4) All forms of life, including humans and animals, that deserve compassion and consideration in our actions.[55] (5) Entities that embody life, which originated from aquatic plants and animals in the Earth鈥檚 early existence.[56]
From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas
(1) All forms of life that are to be treated humanely, as indicated by the farmer鈥檚 advice against causing them pain.[57] (2) The animals that depend on Chando for sustenance, emphasizing his responsibility.[58]
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Any being that is alive; it is important to not injure these, as part of the practice of Yama, and the avoiding of evil.[59]