Samskara

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See Samskara (rites) for the article on Hindu rites. See Sankhara for the Buddhist term
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In Hinduism samskaras or sanskaras (Sanskrit: impression; under the impulse of previous impressions) are tendencies inherited from previous births which form a person's propensities in this life.

In Buddhism, samskaras are the product of ignorance and conditioned consciousness (vijnana). See Pratitya Samutpada. In early Buddhism the pali term sankhara is used, denoting a complex causal structure involved in kamma and dependent arising.

Samskaras are impressions derived from past experiences (in previous incarnations or in this life) that influence future responses and behavior. The Hinduism Dictionary says that samskaras are "The imprints left on the subconscious mind by experience (from this or previous lives), which then color all of life, one's nature, responses, states of mind, etc." [1]

Contents

[edit] Overview

According to Meher Baba sanskaras are "impressions" (trace memories) accumulated through evolution, and later over the course of the evolution of consciousness in human reincarnation.[2] They do not assign to an entity with substance or shape (such as atoms are conceived), nor as forces (such as energy), but are best understood in more psychological terms. For Meher Baba, consciousness, not matter and energy, is the intrinsic substance of reality and thus sanskaras (as the smallest building block of consciousness) are probably best understood as "ways of experiencing."

Sanskaras, once acquired and accumulated, form a sort of multi-layered lens through which the percept of our experience emerges by way of the process of apperception. Thus when we perceive (either internal thoughts or external things) we are actually apperceiving through the lens of the past -- in the form of accumulated sakskaras (impressions left from the past). Herein lies the genesis of the emphasis on "living in the present" inherent in all eastern religions and philosophies.

Sanskaras are useful in that they create a bridge to consciousness, but then serve no further purpose -- but are actually a hindrance once full consciousness (including self-awareness) is achieved in the human form. The goal for the human being then is to be rid of them by "unwinding" them or through "shakings" caused by progressive life experiences over many lives, thereby eventually unveiling and revealing the true nature of reality and the true identity of the self. According to Meher Baba the ridding of sanskaras can also be expedited by the help or guidance of a perfected master or perfect guru (Discourses, Meher Baba).

The idea of the sanskara holds promising implications for metaphysics, psychology, and perceptual dynamics by offering a verb-like or dynamic way to interpret experience rather than a noun-like, substance, or entity-based model as in atomism and materialism that have dominated the west for so long. In this view the 'what' of the object of perception is the result of the 'how' of the act of perception, rather than the other way around.

[edit] Samskara rites

Main article: Samskara (rites)

In Hinduism, samskaras are also ritualistic practices a Hindu is expected to follow at various stages of his/her life. The numerous samskaras are outlined in the Grihya Shastras (Grihya-sutras). Gautama Dharmasutras specify 40-48 samskaras. However, the latter Smritis brought down this number to 16 (Shodasha Samskaras). [3] These are as follows:

Pre-natal

  1. Garbhadharana: Conception
  2. Pumsavana: Rite for consecrating a male child in the womb
  3. Simantonnayana: Rite for parting the hair of a pregnant woman

Childhood

  1. Jatakarma: Birth ceremony
  2. Namakarana: Naming ceremony
  3. Nishkarmana: First outing
  4. Annaprasana: First feeding(solid)
  5. Chudakarana, or Mundan ceremony: First tonsure
  6. Karnavedha: Piercing of the ear lobes

Educational

  1. Vidhyarambha: Starting of education
  2. Upanayana: Thread ceremony(Initiation)
  3. Vedarambha: Starting of the study of the Vedas
  4. Keshanta or Godana: First shaving of the beard
  5. Samaavartana or Snaana: Ending of studentship

Adulthood

  1. Vivaha: Marriage
  2. Anthyesthi: Funeral rites

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/Samskara/id/61934 The Hinduism Dictionary on Samskara
  2. ^ Discourses and God Speaks by Meher Baba
  3. ^ Hindu Dharma: The Universal Way of Life by Chandrasekharendra Saraswati

[edit] External links

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