Samjna (concept) - Revision history

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{{more footnotes|date=June 2014}}
{{Buddhist term
| fontsize=100%
| title=Saṃjñā
| pi= sañña, सञ्ञा
| sa= saṃjñā, संज्ञा
| zh= 想 (xiǎng)
| ja=[[:ja:想 (仏教)|想]]
| ja-Latn=sō
| en= perception,<br/> cognition,<br/> conceptualization,<br/>distinguishing
| bo= འདུ་ཤེས།
| bo-Latn=[[Wylie transliteration|Wylie]]: 'du shes; <br />[[THL Simplified Phonetic Transcription|THL]]: du shé
| th= สัญญา
}}
{{SamadhiBhavana}}
'''Saṃjñā''' (Sanskrit; Pali: ''sañña'') is a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] term that is typically translated as "perception" or "cognition." It can be defined as grasping at the distinguishing features or characteristics.{{sfn|Kunsang|2004|p=22}}{{sfn|Guenther|1975|loc=Kindle Locations 364-365}} Samjñā has multiple meanings depending on religions. Although Samjñā means the five aggregates in [[Buddhism]], in [[Hinduism]], it refers to art traditions and in [[Jainism]], it points to recognition distinct from [[cognition]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=www.wisdomlib.org|date=2016-02-08|title=Samjna, Saṃjñā, Saṃjña: 17 definitions|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/samjna#buddhism|access-date=2020-06-07|website=www.wisdomlib.org}}</ref>

Saṃjñā is identified within the Buddhist teachings as follows:
* One of the [[Skandhas|five aggregates]]
* One of the ''[[Mental_factors_(Buddhism)#Seven_universal_mental_factors|seven universal mental factors]]'' in the Theravada Abhidharma.
* One of the ''[[Mental_factors_(Buddhism)#Five_universal_mental_factors|five universal mental factors]]'' in the Mahayana Abhidharma

==Definitions==

===Theravada===
Bhikkhu Bodhi states:
:The characteristic of perception is the perceiving of the qualities of the object. Its function is to make a sign as a condition for perceiving again that "this is the same," or its function is recognizing what has been previously perceived. It becomes manifest as the interpreting of the object...by way of the features that had been apprehended. Its proximate cause is the object as it appears. Its procedure is compared to a carpenter's recognition of certain kinds of wood by the mark he has made on each.<ref name=bodhi1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ACrogsyJmoAC&q=vitakka#v=snippet&q=perception&f=false Bhikkhu Bodhi (2003), p. 80]</ref>

According to the Theravada tradition, saññā experiences the same object as the [[citta]] it accompanies but it performs its own task: it 'perceives' or 'recognizes' the object and it 'marks' it so that it can be recognized again.<ref name=gorkom>Gorkom (2010), [https://archive.is/20130505151449/http://www.zolag.co.uk/Cetasikas/html_node/Perception.html%23Perception#Perception Definition of sanna]</ref>

The [[Atthasālinī]] (I, Part IV, Chapter 1, 110) provides the following two definitions for saññā:
*...It has the characteristic of noting and the function of recognizing what has been previously noted. There is no such thing as perception in the four planes of existence without the characteristic of noting. All perceptions have the characteristic of noting. Of them, that perceiving which knows by specialized knowledge has the function of recognizing what has been noted previously. We may see this procedure when the carpenter recognizes a piece of wood which he has marked by specialized knowledge...
* Perception has the characteristic of perceiving by an act of general inclusion, and the function of making marks as a condition for repeated perception (for recognizing or remembering), as when woodcutters 'perceive' logs and so forth. Its manifestation is the action of interpreting by means of the sign as apprehended, as in the case of blind persons who 'see' an elephant. Or, it has briefness as manifestation, like lightning, owing to its inability to penetrate the object. Its proximate cause is whatever object has appeared, like the perception which arises in young deer mistaking scarecrows for men.<ref name=gorkom/>

===Mahayana===
The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states:
:What is the absolutely specific characteristic of conceptualization (''saṃjñā'')? It is to know by association. It is to see, hear, specify, and to know by way of taking up the defining characteristics and distinguishing them.{{sfn|Guenther|1975|loc=Kindle Locations 364-365}}

Mipham Rinpoche states:
: Perception consists of the grasping of distinguishing features.

: In terms of support, they can be divided into six types: perceptions resulting from contact, the meeting of the eye and so forth, up until the mind.

: Furthermore, they are distinguishing characteristics in regard to sense objects... and... in regard to names...{{sfn|Kunsang|2004|p=22}}

Alexander Berzin gives the following informal explanation:
:Then there is distinguishing (’du-shes, Skt. samjna). And so it takes a special feature of the object, of the appearing object—so, the hologram—and it gives some significance to it, some conventional significance to it. In other words, within a sense field it distinguishes between, for instance, light and dark. I mean, we’re seeing a huge amount of information, and in order to deal with it we need to distinguish one little piece from everything else. That’s distinguishing.<ref>[http://studybuddhism.com/web/en/archives/sutra/level4_deepening_understanding_path/buddha_nature/develop_mind_based_b_nature/transcript_2.html Developing the Mind Based on Buddha-Nature, Session Two: Primary Consciousness and Mental Factors, Alexander Berzin]</ref>

==Within the five aggregates==
Saṃjñā is identified as one of the [[Skandha|Five Aggregates]], as shown in the following diagram
{{PancaKhandha|align=none}}

==In the Early Buddhist literature==
In the early [[Buddhism]] Theravadin texts of the [[Nikayas]]/[[Āgama (Buddhism)|Āgama]]s, saṃjñā/sañña is the third of the [[Skandha|Five Aggregates]] (Skt.: ''skandha''; Pali: ''khandha'') which can be used to skillfully delineate phenomenological experiences during meditation.<ref>See, for instance, the [[Satipatthana Sutta]].</ref> Whether as one of the Five Aggregates, [[Buddhist meditation|meditative]] concentration (''[[Samādhi (Buddhism)|samādhi]]'') on the passing and rising (P. ''[[vipassana]],'' S. ''vipaśyanā'') of sañña can lead to [[Mindfulness (Buddhism)|mindfulness]] (P.''sati'', S. ''smṛti''), clear comprehension (P. ''[[sampajanna]]'', S. ''samprajaña'') [[bodhi|enlightenment]] and [[Arhat|Arhantship]] (see Table).

In the [[Pali Canon]], sañña is frequently defined as:

:"It perceives blue, it perceives yellow, it perceives red, it perceives white."<ref>[[Thanissaro]] (2001).</ref>

In post-canonical Pali [[Atthakatha|commentaries]], the [[Visuddhimagga]] likens sañña to "a child without discretion."<ref>[[Buddhaghosa]] (1999), p. 436.</ref>

==Alternate translations==
Alternate translations for the term ''sañña'' are:
* Conceptualization (Herbert Guenther)
* Distinguishing (Alexander Berzin)
* Perception (Erik Kunsang, Nina van Gorkom)
* Recognition (Geoffrey Shatz)
* Apperception (Susan Hamilton, Luis O. Gómez, David Seyfort Ruegg)

==See also==
* [[Buddhist meditation]]
* [[Siddha]]s (Mahasiddas)
* [[Skandha]] (Five Aggregates)
* [[Vedana]] (Feelings/Sensations)

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==Sources==
* Bhikkhu Bodhi (2003), ''A Comprehensive Manual of Abhidhamma'', Pariyatti Publishing
* [[Buddhaghosa]], Bhadantācariya (trans. from Pāli by Bhikkhu {{IAST|Ñāṇamoli}}) (1999). ''The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga.'' Seattle, WA: [[Buddhist Publication Society|BPS]] Pariyatti Editions. {{ISBN|1-928706-00-2}}.
* [[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]] (trans.) (2001). ''Khajjaniya Sutta: Chewed Up'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 22.79). Retrieved 2006-06-22 from "Access to Insight" at: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.079.than.html.
* Nina van Gorkom (2010), [https://archive.is/20121205090810/http://www.zolag.co.uk/Cetasikas/ ''Cetasikas''], Zolag
* {{Citation| last =Guenther | first=Herbert V. | year =1975 | title =Mind in Buddhist Psychology: A Translation of Ye-shes rgyal-mtshan's "The Necklace of Clear Understanding"| publisher=Dharma Publishing, Kindle Edition}}
* {{Citation| last =Kunsang| first=Erik Pema | year =2004 | title =Gateway to Knowledge, Vol. 1| publisher=North Atlantic Books}}

{{Buddhism topics}}

[[Category:Mental factors in Buddhism]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:59, 24 December 2021
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	{{SamadhiBhavana}}		{{SamadhiBhavana}}
	'''Saṃjñā''' (Sanskrit; Pali: ''sañña'') is a [[Buddhism\|Buddhist]] term that is typically translated as "perception" or "cognition." It can be defined as grasping at the distinguishing features or characteristics.{{sfn\|Kunsang\|2004\|p=22}}{{sfn\|Guenther\|1975\|loc=Kindle Locations 364-365}} Samjñā has multiple meanings depending on religions. Although Samjñā means the five aggregates in [[Buddhism]], in [[Hinduism]], it refers to art traditions and in [[Jainism]], it points to recognition distinct from [[cognition]].<ref>{{Cite web\|last=www.wisdomlib.org\|date=2016-02-08\|title=Samjna, Saṃjñā, Saṃjña: 17 definitions\|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/samjna#buddhism\|access-date=2020-06-07\|website=www.wisdomlib.org}}</ref>		'''''Saṃjñā''''' (Sanskrit; Pali: ''sañña'') is a [[Buddhism\|Buddhist]] term that is typically translated as "perception" or "cognition." It can be defined as grasping at the distinguishing features or characteristics.{{sfn\|Kunsang\|2004\|p=22}}{{sfn\|Guenther\|1975\|loc=Kindle Locations 364-365}} ''Samjñā'' has multiple meanings depending on religions. Although ''Samjñā'' means the five aggregates in [[Buddhism]], in [[Hinduism]], it refers to art traditions and in [[Jainism]], it points to recognition distinct from [[cognition]].<ref>{{Cite web\|last=www.wisdomlib.org\|date=2016-02-08\|title=Samjna, Saṃjñā, Saṃjña: 17 definitions\|url=https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/samjna#buddhism\|access-date=2020-06-07\|website=www.wisdomlib.org}}</ref>

	Saṃjñā is identified within the Buddhist teachings as follows:		''Saṃjñā'' is identified within the Buddhist teachings as follows:
	* One of the [[Skandhas\|five aggregates]]		* One of the [[Skandhas\|five aggregates]]
	* One of the ''[[Mental_factors_(Buddhism)#Seven_universal_mental_factors\|seven universal mental factors]]'' in the Theravada Abhidharma.		* One of the ''[[Mental_factors_(Buddhism)#Seven_universal_mental_factors\|seven universal mental factors]]'' in the Theravada Abhidharma.
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	:The characteristic of perception is the perceiving of the qualities of the object. Its function is to make a sign as a condition for perceiving again that "this is the same," or its function is recognizing what has been previously perceived. It becomes manifest as the interpreting of the object...by way of the features that had been apprehended. Its proximate cause is the object as it appears. Its procedure is compared to a carpenter's recognition of certain kinds of wood by the mark he has made on each.<ref name=bodhi1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ACrogsyJmoAC&q=vitakka#v=snippet&q=perception&f=false Bhikkhu Bodhi (2003), p. 80]</ref>		:The characteristic of perception is the perceiving of the qualities of the object. Its function is to make a sign as a condition for perceiving again that "this is the same," or its function is recognizing what has been previously perceived. It becomes manifest as the interpreting of the object...by way of the features that had been apprehended. Its proximate cause is the object as it appears. Its procedure is compared to a carpenter's recognition of certain kinds of wood by the mark he has made on each.<ref name=bodhi1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=ACrogsyJmoAC&q=vitakka#v=snippet&q=perception&f=false Bhikkhu Bodhi (2003), p. 80]</ref>

	According to the Theravada tradition, saññā experiences the same object as the [[citta]] it accompanies but it performs its own task: it 'perceives' or 'recognizes' the object and it 'marks' it so that it can be recognized again.<ref name=gorkom>Gorkom (2010), [https://archive.is/20130505151449/http://www.zolag.co.uk/Cetasikas/html_node/Perception.html%23Perception#Perception Definition of sanna]</ref>		According to the Theravada tradition, saññā experiences the same object as the [[citta]] it accompanies but it performs its own task: it 'perceives' or 'recognizes' the object and it 'marks' it so that it can be recognized again.<ref name=gorkom>Gorkom (2010), [https://archive.today/20130505151449/http://www.zolag.co.uk/Cetasikas/html_node/Perception.html%23Perception#Perception Definition of sanna]</ref>

	The [[Atthasālinī]] (I, Part IV, Chapter 1, 110) provides the following two definitions for saññā:		The [[Atthasālinī]] (I, Part IV, Chapter 1, 110) provides the following two definitions for saññā:
Line 48:		Line 50:

	==Within the five aggregates==		==Within the five aggregates==
	Saṃjñā is identified as one of the [[Skandha\|Five Aggregates]], as shown in the following diagram		''Saṃjñā'' is identified as one of the [[Skandha\|Five Aggregates]], as shown in the following diagram
	{{PancaKhandha\|align=none}}		{{PancaKhandha\|align=none}}

	==In the Early Buddhist literature==		==In the Early Buddhist literature==
	In the early [[Buddhism]] Theravadin texts of the [[Nikayas]]/[[Āgama (Buddhism)\|Āgama]]s, saṃjñā/sañña is the third of the [[Skandha\|Five Aggregates]] (Skt.: ''skandha''; Pali: ''khandha'') which can be used to skillfully delineate phenomenological experiences during meditation.<ref>See, for instance, the [[Satipatthana Sutta]].</ref> Whether as one of the Five Aggregates, [[Buddhist meditation\|meditative]] concentration (''[[Samādhi (Buddhism)\|samādhi]]'') on the passing and rising (P. ''[[vipassana]],'' S. ''vipaśyanā'') of sañña can lead to [[Mindfulness (Buddhism)\|mindfulness]] (P.''sati'', S. ''smṛti''), clear comprehension (P. ''[[sampajanna]]'', S. ''samprajaña'') [[bodhi\|enlightenment]] and [[Arhat\|Arhantship]] (see Table).		In the early [[Buddhism]] Theravadin texts of the [[Nikayas]]/[[Āgama (Buddhism)\|Āgama]]s, ''saṃjñā''/''sañña'' is the third of the [[Skandha\|Five Aggregates]] (Skt.: ''skandha''; Pali: ''khandha'') which can be used to skillfully delineate phenomenological experiences during meditation.<ref>See, for instance, the [[Satipatthana Sutta]].</ref> Whether as one of the Five Aggregates, [[Buddhist meditation\|meditative]] concentration (''[[Samādhi (Buddhism)\|samādhi]]'') on the passing and rising (P. ''[[vipassana]],'' S. ''vipaśyanā'') of sañña can lead to [[Mindfulness (Buddhism)\|mindfulness]] (P.''sati'', S. ''smṛti''), clear comprehension (P. ''[[sampajanna]]'', S. ''samprajaña'') [[bodhi\|enlightenment]] and [[Arhat\|Arhantship]] (see Table).

	In the [[Pali Canon]], sañña is frequently defined as:		In the [[Pali Canon]], sañña is frequently defined as:
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	* [[Buddhaghosa]], Bhadantācariya (trans. from Pāli by Bhikkhu {{IAST\|Ñāṇamoli}}) (1999). ''The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga.'' Seattle, WA: [[Buddhist Publication Society\|BPS]] Pariyatti Editions. {{ISBN\|1-928706-00-2}}.		* [[Buddhaghosa]], Bhadantācariya (trans. from Pāli by Bhikkhu {{IAST\|Ñāṇamoli}}) (1999). ''The Path of Purification: Visuddhimagga.'' Seattle, WA: [[Buddhist Publication Society\|BPS]] Pariyatti Editions. {{ISBN\|1-928706-00-2}}.
	* [[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]] (trans.) (2001). ''Khajjaniya Sutta: Chewed Up'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya\|SN]] 22.79). Retrieved 2006-06-22 from "Access to Insight" at: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.079.than.html.		* [[Thanissaro Bhikkhu]] (trans.) (2001). ''Khajjaniya Sutta: Chewed Up'' ([[Samyutta Nikaya\|SN]] 22.79). Retrieved 2006-06-22 from "Access to Insight" at: http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn22/sn22.079.than.html.
	* Nina van Gorkom (2010), [https://archive.is/20121205090810/http://www.zolag.co.uk/Cetasikas/ ''Cetasikas''], Zolag		* Nina van Gorkom (2010), [https://archive.today/20121205090810/http://www.zolag.co.uk/Cetasikas/ ''Cetasikas''], Zolag
	* {{Citation\| last =Guenther \| first=Herbert V. \| year =1975 \| title =Mind in Buddhist Psychology: A Translation of Ye-shes rgyal-mtshan's "The Necklace of Clear Understanding"\| publisher=Dharma Publishing, Kindle Edition}}		* {{Citation\| last =Guenther \| first=Herbert V. \| year =1975 \| title =Mind in Buddhist Psychology: A Translation of Ye-shes rgyal-mtshan's "The Necklace of Clear Understanding"\| publisher=Dharma Publishing, Kindle Edition}}
	* {{Citation\| last =Kunsang\| first=Erik Pema \| year =2004 \| title =Gateway to Knowledge, Vol. 1\| publisher=North Atlantic Books}}		* {{Citation\| last =Kunsang\| first=Erik Pema \| year =2004 \| title =Gateway to Knowledge, Vol. 1\| publisher=North Atlantic Books}}

	{{Buddhism topics}}		{{Buddhism topics}}


	[[Category:Mental factors in Buddhism]]		[[Category:Mental factors in Buddhism]]
	[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]		[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]