|
An article related to |
|---|
|
Practices
|
|
Other Topics
|
|
Hinduism Portal |
| Part of a series on Buddhism Outline · Portal |
| Dharma or concepts Four Noble Truths |
| Practices Three Jewels |
|
Traditions · Canons |
| Jainism | |
|---|---|
This article is part of a series on Jainism |
|
|
|
|
| Anekāntavāda · Syādvāda · Nayavāda · Jain Cosmology · Ahimsa · Karma · Dharma · Nirvana · Kevala Jñāna · Mokṣa · Dravya · Navatattva · Asteya · Aparigraha · Dharma · Gunasthana · Samsara | |
|
|
|
| The 24 Tirthankaras · Rishabha · Mahavira · Acharya · Ganadhara · Siddhasena Divakara · Haribhadra | |
|
|
|
| Digambara · Śvētāmbara | |
|
|
|
| Kalpa Sūtra · Āgama · Tattvartha Sutra · Sanmatti Prakaran | |
|
|
|
| Namokar Mantra · Parasparopagraho_Jivanam · Jain symbol · Jain flag · Timeline · Topics list | |
|
|
|
| Mahavir Jayanti · Paryushana · Diwali | |
|
Jainism Portal |
Satya or Sathya is a Sanskrit word that loosely translates into English as "truth" or "correct". It is a term of power due to its purity and meaning and has become the emblem of many peaceful social movements, particularly those centered on social justice, environmentalism and vegetarianism.
Sathya is also defined in Sanskrit as "sate hitam satyam" which translates to "The path to ultimate truth or Sat is sathya (i.e. the real truth)".
Hence all the deeds, words, and wisdom that bring us closer to the Ultimate Truth are the truth.
Contents |
The philosophical meaning of the word 'Satya' is "unchangeable", "that which has no distortion", "that which is beyond distinctions of time, space, and person", "that which pervades the universe in all its constancy." Human life progresses through different stages—from childhood to adolescence, from adolescence to youth, and youth to old age. It is through these changes that people progress in the manifest world. That is why human life or its receptacle, the body, is not Satya.
There is a more subtle meaning of the word, 'Satya', which is Citsvaru'pa (the Supreme consciousness) or Parama Purusha. In the field of Sadhana or intuitional practice, the meaning of 'Satya' is 'Parahit'artham' va'unmanaso yatha'rthatvam' satyam i.e., Satya is the benevolent use of words and the mind for the welfare of others. This is to say that a benevolent sage must be truthful regardless of the meaning of satya.
The accepted interpretation however, is "the Truth which equals love." This concept of truth is not merely a synonym of fact or correctness, but is more metaphysical, like the difference between brain and mind. This 'bigger picture' notion of truth implies a higher order, a higher principle or a higher knowledge. Satya is what one becomes aware of upon becoming a Bodhi (enlightened or awakened person). Thus, this is more akin to the sum of the rules of the universe or the universal reality. This idea of a universal reality is common in Eastern philosophy.
Combined with other words, satya acts as modifier, like "ultra" or "highest," or more literally "truest," connoting purity and excellence. For example, satyaloka is the "highest heaven' and Satya Yuga is the "golden age" or best of the four cyclical cosmic ages in Hinduism.
The term Satya is translated in English as "right" in terms of the Noble Eightfold Path, such as Satya Vishwas (right belief), Satya Karma (right action), etc. The Buddha's Four Noble Truths were called "Aryasatya".
Jainism considers satya to be one of its five core principles and all sadhus must take a vow to adhere to it.
The motto of the republic of India's emblem is Satyameva Jayate which is literally translated as 'Truth alone triumphs'.
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, it is given that (sutra number 2.36)“ When one is firmly established in speaking truth, the fruits of action become subservient to him. In his book, Paramahamsa Yogananda, written that "By the grace of God, as I have spoken truth always, I speak truly now. Through the divine blessings, your body shall verily change from today; in one month it shall have the same weight as mine.” These words from my heart found fulfillment. In thirty days, Nalini's weight equalled mine. The new roundness gave her beauty; her husband fell deeply in love. Their marriage, begun so inauspiciously, turned out to be ideally happy."‘