Significance of Sense perception
Sense perception is a fundamental concept in several philosophical traditions including Buddhism, Jainism, Tibetan Buddhism, Vaishnavism, and others. It involves the ability of human senses鈥攍ike sight, sound, and touch鈥攖o engage with external stimuli, generating knowledge and providing a basis for understanding reality. While different traditions interpret it uniquely, they collectively recognize its role as a means of gaining awareness and cognition. This cognitive process shapes how individuals interact with their environment, influencing both knowledge acquisition and spiritual understanding.
Synonyms: Sensory perception, Sensory experience, Sensation, Perception, Awareness, Feeling, Consciousness, Detection
In Dutch: Zintuiglijke waarneming; In Finnish: Aistihavainto; In Spanish: Percepci贸n sensorial; In German: Sinneswahrnehmung; In Malay: Persepsi deria; In Swedish: Sinnesuppfattning; In French: Perception sensorielle
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Buddhist concept of 'Sense perception'
Sense perception in Buddhism is a valid form of cognition acquired through the five senses, emphasizing immediate awareness and understanding of the world, free from conceptual distortions. However, it has limitations in grasping the complete nature of reality.
From: Tattvasangraha [with commentary]
(1) The process by which individuals perceive and understand objects through their senses, as discussed within the context of words and external objects.[1] (2) The process of obtaining information about the world through sensory organs.[2] (3) A term referenced by Kumarila that implies the ability to perceive through the senses as part of the understanding process of cognition.[3] (4) A method of cognition that involves gaining knowledge through the senses, referenced as a way to establish the eternal nature of Letters.[4] (5) The ability to perceive things through senses, which is indicated to be insufficient to understand the capacity of sound production.[5]
From: Akshayamatinirdesha [english]
(1) It is the awareness derived from the senses, which is considered the same as the sphere of all moments of existence, as described in section 10. f. 2.[6] (2) The process by which beings perceive their surroundings through the senses, often discussed in the context of attachment and reality.[7]
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) The experience of the world through the five senses, which is discussed in terms of their impermanent nature.[8]
From: Maha Buddhavamsa鈥擳he Great Chronicle of Buddhas
(1) The Buddha's comprehensive understanding of the world, free from emotional disturbances and attachments.[9]
From: Dhammapada (Illustrated)
(1) The process of becoming aware of and interpreting sensory input, which is closely tied to thoughts and cognitive processes.[10]
From: The Great Chariot
(1) The process by which awareness engages with external stimuli through various senses like sight, sound, and touch.[11]
Hindu concept of 'Sense perception'
Sense perception in Hinduism involves interpreting stimuli through the five senses, leading to immediate awareness and understanding of reality, though often flawed. It acknowledges the limitation of sensory experience and emphasizes the need to transcend these perceptions for deeper knowledge.
From: Mandukya Upanishad (Gaudapa Karika and Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The process by which objects are perceived through the senses, which is discussed in relation to their alleged existence.[12] (2) The process through which individuals interpret the illusory subjects and objects they perceive, which are fundamentally based on their ignorance.[13]
From: Brahma Sutras (Ramanuja)
(1) The immediate awareness of objects and events through the five senses, which may often lead to flawed interpretations.[14] (2) The ability to perceive or understand through the physical senses, which Scripture transcends in revealing truth.[15]
From: Mandukya Upanishad
(1) The experiences and interpretations of stimuli through the senses, which can influence one鈥檚 understanding of reality.[16]
From: Chandogya Upanishad (Shankara Bhashya)
(1) The faculties through which living beings perceive the Universe and its existence.[17]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad Bhashya Vartika
(1) Refers to the mechanisms of seeing, smelling, and hearing, questioning their relevance in understanding non-dual Self.[18]
From: Taittiriya Upanishad
(1) The immediate cognitive experience derived from the senses, often challenged by the metaphysical views of the Vedanta.[19]
From: Vivekachudamani
(1) Actual experiences and interactions with the environment during the waking state that can affect the blissful sheath.[20]
From: Padarthadharmasamgraha and Nyayakandali
(1) The capability to perceive things through the five senses, which is connected to cognition and is necessary for understanding existence.[21] (2) The process by which definite cognition is generated through the sensory experience of an object.[22] (3) The process of perceiving through the senses, which can lead to misconceptions when the sense-organs are deranged.[23] (4) A method of obtaining knowledge through the senses, often subject to misconceptions.[24] (5) A way of understanding that is regarded as valid and real, produced directly by the mind, akin to sensory experiences.[25]
From: Chaitanya Bhagavata
(1) The conditioning that prevents souls from seeing Krishna due to absorption in material enjoyment.[26] (2) The limited understanding derived from sensory experience, beyond which the term adhokshaja signifies.[27] (3) The process of perceiving the world through the physical senses, which is limited in comprehending the divine essence.[28]
From: Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary)
(1) the ability to perceive through the senses; highlights the role of the mind in connecting with senses[29] (2) Sense perception pertains to the experiences and sensations that devotees encounter through their senses as part of their enjoyment.[30]
From: Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu
(1) The ability to perceive the external world through senses, which is absent in a state of moha.[31]
From: Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4
(1) The cognitive reception of stimuli through sensory experience, which does not encompass the essence of the soul.[32] (2) The experiences and interpretations of sensory stimuli, which feed into one's reality.[33]
From: Mahabharata (English)
(1) The awareness of scents, tastes, colors, touches, and sounds that one may normally experience.[34] (2) The capability to experience the world through the five senses, which the yogin seeks to transcend.[35]
From: Charaka Samhita (English translation)
(1) Experiences derived from the interaction between sense organs and their respective objects.[36] (2) Defined as the immediate cognition arising from the interaction of the soul, senses, mind, and sense-objects.[37] (3) The mental interpretations or responses generated as a result of sensory experiences.[38]
From: History of Indian Medicine (and Ayurveda)
(1) Qualities such as sound and smell that are experienced through the senses, linked to the qualities assigned by Vaisheshika physics.[39]
From: Vakyapadiya of Bhartrihari
(1) The perception of the word (sphota) that arises from the primary sound.[40] (2) The process by which individuals gain knowledge through their sensory experiences.[41]
From: Yoga-sutras (Vedanta Commentaries)
(1) The process by which individuals perceive reality through their senses, which can be distorted by personal imagination.[42] (2) The process of acquiring knowledge through sensory experiences, which is contrasted with the ancient sages' insights.[43]
Jain concept of 'Sense perception'
In Jainism, sense perception encompasses the awareness of sensory experiences through various forms, the ability to perceive external substances, and the vital role sensory faculties play in acquiring knowledge about the world.
From: Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
(1) The ability to perceive substances; atoms (anu) are indivisible and cannot be perceived by the senses.[44] (2) The ability of the senses (like touch, sight, etc.) to perceive external objects, which is essential for the generation of sensory knowledge.[45]
From: Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)
(1) Knowledge related to the awareness of the senses, which is a specific quality that can manifest in various forms among the vikalendriya.[46]
The concept of Sense perception in local and regional sources
Sense perception is the fundamental method of acquiring knowledge through sensory experience, shaping our understanding of the world. However, it must be transcended to grasp deeper truths, such as the essence of the Self beyond sensory input.
From: The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda
(1) Sense-perception is the means through which individuals perceive the world, but it is not the source of differentiation between objects, because everything would be one in it, which emphasizes the limitations of sensory experience.[47] (2) The text indicates that the Self is not able to be perceived by the low plane of sense-perception because the Self exists in a state that is beyond sensory input.[48] (3) Sense-perception is an inference, and yet all inference comes from perception, which is based upon contradiction and has to kill itself.[49] (4) This is the plane to which we are tied down, which can be transcended, and is something we need to go beyond to see, hear, and feel different things.[50] (5) Sense-perception is the way the world is understood, it is a method that is tied to the plane of sense-perception, which is the ordinary experience, and must be transcended to approach God.[51]
From: Triveni Journal
(1) The process through which living beings perceive their environment, which is influenced by their purpose in life.[52] (2) The awareness and appreciation of sensory experiences that Wordsworth initially emphasizes before transitioning to a more spiritual outlook.[53] (3) Sense perceptions are the experiences we gain through our senses, which can sometimes interact or blend in ways that lead to either valid or invalid cognition according to Nyaya theory.[54]