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Significance of Living entity

In Tibetan Buddhism and Vaishnavism, the term "Living entity" refers to an individual being that experiences life and is distinct from the physical body. In Vaishnavism, it emphasizes the individual's potential for spiritual devotion and alignment with Lord Vishnu, recognizing the effects of karma and the cycle of birth and death. This concept also highlights the significance of the living entity's spiritual journey, its consciousness, and the inherent duty to serve the divine, ultimately seeking liberation through devotion.

Synonyms: Organism, Being, Creature, Entity, Biological entity, Animate being

In Dutch: Levend wezen; In Finnish: Elävä Olento; In Spanish: Entidad viviente; In German: Lebendes Wesen; In Malay: Entiti hidup; In Swedish: Levande väsen; In French: Entité 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 entity'

Buddhism Books

In Buddhism, "Living entity" signifies an individual being devoid of inherent ego or soul, contrasting with the body, and highlighting the distinct nature of physical form and the concept of existence beyond mere physicality.

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

From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]

(1) A term used in contrast to the body, implying a distinction between a soul and physical form.[1] (2) A concept discussed in relation to the Body, indicating that it is distinct and requires explanation.[2]

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’s 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: A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada

(1) A term that signifies an individual being, which the text argues does not possess an inherent ego or soul.[3]

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 'Living entity'

Hinduism Books

In Hinduism, a living entity refers to a conscious soul seeking joy, undergoing transformation through spiritual practices, facing material illusions, and striving for divine connection and liberation through devotion and understanding of spiritual truths.

Significance in Vaishnavism (Vaishava dharma):
Vaishnavism Books

From: Chaitanya Bhagavata

(1) Any being that possesses life; all living beings are said to have the Supersoul, Lord Vishnu, within them.[4] (2) The individual soul that may identify itself as either male or female, experiencing enjoyment and devotion.[5] (3) Any individual soul who can attain liberation through hearing the divine pastimes of the Lord.[6] (4) A being with consciousness, whose full knowledge must be awakened to realize their eternal propensity for devotional service.[7] (5) A being that is engaged in the cycle of life and seeks liberation from suffering and miseries.[8]

From: Bhajana-Rahasya

(1) The living entity is highlighted as a being that, when estranged from the eternal service of Shri Hari, faces dire spiritual consequences.[9] (2) Any sentient being that may establish a relationship with the Supreme Lord through bhakti.[10] (3) A spiritual being who can attain perfection by chanting and remembering the holy name.[11] (4) Refers to a being whose pure consciousness can experience and express bhavas influenced by various motivations.[12] (5) An individual soul that becomes averse to Shri Bhagavan and forgets its constitutional nature due to association with maya.[13]

From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)

(1) An individual being that, through divine grace, gains awareness and understanding of spiritual matters.[14] (2) Any being that experiences life and is subject to the cycle of birth and death, seeking liberation through darshana.[15]

From: Srila Gurudeva (The Supreme Treasure)

(1) The spiritual soul which is eternal, distinct from the material body, and marginally connected to the Supreme Soul, Lord Krishna.[16] (2) Also referred to as jiva or jivatma, indicating the soul or consciousness that exists within a physical form.[17]

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 (‘ten avatars of Vishnu��).

The concept of Living entity in local and regional sources

History Books

The term "Living entity" denotes a dynamic aspect of existence that requires continuous observation rather than fixed definitions, highlighting its ever-changing nature and relationship to the world around us.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Triveni Journal

(1) Henry James's comparison of the novel to an organism, highlighting its dynamic and evolving nature.[18]

From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda

(1) This contains the possibility of all life but can only express that which its environment requires.[19]