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Arya (Buddhism)

March 08, 2023

This article is about the use of the term "arya" within Buddhism. For a general explanation of the Sanskrit term, see Aryan.

Arya (Sanskrit ārya; Pāli: ariya) is a term used in Buddhism that can be translated as "noble", "not ordinary", "valuable", "precious",[a] "pure",[2] "rich". Arya in the sense of "noble" or "exalted" is frequently used in Buddhist texts to designate a spiritual warrior or hero.

Translations of
Arya
Englishnoble
not ordinary
precious
Sanskritārya
Paliariya
Burmeseအရိယာ
Tibetanའཕགས་པ་
(Wylie: phags pa;
THL: pakpa)
Glossary of Buddhism

>> zum Begriff: protosanskrit/ sanskrit, indoeuropäisch: ārya: ā+ā-ra+_-ya: All-es(ā) ((von-Anfang (a) bis-Ende (a) bei-Alldem/All-em(ā/a) )) Er-reichen (â-ra) (((>ā-ra: (deutsch "Aar"):er-reich-en,er-greifen;er-fassen,begreifen;...jagen;morden)(: immer "zweideutig": "+//-")) _-werden(:_-ya: bringen) ((bringen, werden;(bringen-) werden, bringen (-werden) ))

Usage

The term is used in the following contexts:

In the context of the Four Noble Truths, contemporary scholars explain the meaning of ārya as follows:

  • Paul Williams states: "The Aryas are the noble ones, the saints, those who have attained 'the fruits of the path', 'that middle path the Tathagata has comprehended which promotes sight and knowledge, and which tends to peace, higher wisdom, enlightenment, and Nibbana' (Narada 1980: 50).[3]
  • Geshe Tashi Tsering states: "The modifier noble [i.e. arya] means truth as perceived by arya beings, those beings who have had a direct realization of emptiness or selflessness. Noble means something seen by arya beings as it really is, and in this case it is four recognitions—suffering, origin, cessation, and path. Arya beings see all types of suffering—physical and mental, gross and subtle—exactly as they are, as suffering. For people like us, who do not have the direct realization of emptiness, although we may understand certain levels of physical and mental experiences as suffering, it is impossible for us to see all the levels of suffering for what they are. Instead we may see some things as desirable when in truth they are suffering."[4]

Bhikkhu Bodhi explains:[web 1]

The word "noble," or ariya, is used by the Buddha to designate a particular type of person, the type of person which it is the aim of his teaching to create. In the discourses the Buddha classifies human beings into two broad categories. On one side there are the puthujjanas, the worldlings, those belonging to the multitude, whose eyes are still covered with the dust of defilements and delusion. On the other side there are the ariyans, the noble ones, the spiritual elite, who obtain this status not from birth, social station or ecclesiastical authority but from their inward nobility of character.
These two general types are not separated from each other by an impassable chasm, each confined to a tightly sealed compartment. A series of gradations can be discerned rising up from the darkest level of the blind worldling trapped in the dungeon of egotism and self-assertion, through the stage of the virtuous worldling in whom the seeds of wisdom are beginning to sprout, and further through the intermediate stages of noble disciples to the perfected individual at the apex of the entire scale of human development. This is the Arahant, the liberated one, who has absorbed the purifying vision of truth so deeply that all his defilements have been extinguished, and with them, all liability to suffering.

In Chinese Buddhist texts, ārya is translated as 聖 (approximately, "holy, sacred", pinyin shèng, on'yomi sei).

The spiritual character of the use of the term ārya in Buddhist texts can also be seen in the Mahavibhasa and in the Yogacarabhumi. The Mahāvibhasa[5] states that only the noble ones (āryas) realize all four of the four noble truths (āryasatyāni) and that only a noble wisdom understands them fully. The same text also describes the āryas as the ones who "have understood and realized about the [truth of] suffering, (impermanence, emptiness, and no-self)" and who "understand things as they are".[6] In another text, the Yogācārabhūmi (Taishō 1579, vol. xx, 364b10-15), the āryas are described as being free from the viparyāsas.

Several Buddhist texts show that the ārya dharma was taught to everybody, including the āryas, Dasyus, Devas, Gandharvas and Asuras. The Bhaiṣajyavastu (from the Mūlasarvāstivādavinaya) describes a story of Buddha teaching his dharma to the Four Heavenly Kings (Catvāraḥ Mahārājāḥ) of the four directions. In this story, the guardians of the east (Dhṛtarāṣṭra) and the south (Virūḍhaka) are āryajatiya (āryas) who speak Sanskrit, while the guardians of the west (Virūpākṣa) and the north (Vaiśravaṇa) are dasyujatiya (Dasyus) who speak Dasyu languages. In order to teach his Dharma, Buddha has to deliver his discourse in Aryan and Dasyu languages. This story describes Buddha teaching his Dharma to the āryas and Dasyus alike.[7] The Karaṇḍavyūha (a Mahāyāna sūtra) describes how Avalokiteśvara taught the ārya Dharma to the asuras, yakṣas and rakṣasas.[7]

In many parts of the South India, if somebody (new) is supposed to be addressed respectably, the prefix "Ayya", derived from "Arya" is used. South Indians used to call them "Arya" which is now transformed to "Ayya". This term is used even today.[citation needed]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Ajahn Sucitto states: "So the four truths (ariya sacca) are generally called “noble” truths, although one might also translate ariya as “precious.” "[1]

References

  1. ^ Ajahn Sucitto 2010, Kindle Location 122.
  2. ^ Mingyur Rinpoche 2007, p. 70.
  3. ^ Williams 2002, p. 52.
  4. ^ Geshe Tashi Tsering 2005, Kindle Locations 349-350.
  5. ^ (Taisho 1545, vol. xxvii, 401c29-402a12, 402b5-6, and 402a27-b6)
  6. ^ (Deshpande/ Gomez in Bronkhorst & Deshpande 1999)
  7. ^ a b Bronkhorst & Deshpande 1999

Web references

  1. ^ The Nobility of the Truths, by Bhikkhu Bodhi

Sources

  • Ajahn Sumedho (2002), The Four Noble Truths, Amaravati Publications
  • Ajahn Sucitto (2010), Turning the Wheel of Truth: Commentary on the Buddha's First Teaching, Shambhala
  • Bronkhorst, J.; Deshpande, M.M., eds. (1999), Aryan and Non-Aryan in South Asia: Evidence, Interpretation, and Ideology, Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies, Harvard University, ISBN 1-888789-04-2
  • Geshe Tashi Tsering (2005), The Four Noble Truths: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought, Volume I, Wisdom, Kindle Edition
  • Gethin, Rupert (1998), Foundations of Buddhism, Oxford University Press
  • Goldstein, Joseph (2002), One Dharma: The Emerging Western Buddhism, HarperCollins
  • Harvey, Peter (1990), Introduction to Buddhism, Cambridge University Press
  • Lopez, Donald S. (2001), The Story of Buddhism, HarperCollins
  • Mingyur Rinpoche (2007), The Joy of Living: Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness, Harmony Kindle Edition
  • Moffitt, Philip (2008), Dancing with Life: Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in the Face of Suffering, Rodale, Kindle Edition
  • Williams, Paul (2002), Buddhist Thought, Taylor & Francis, Kindle Edition

March 08, 2023
arya, buddhism, this, article, about, term, arya, within, buddhism, general, explanation, sanskrit, term, aryan, arya, sanskrit, ārya, pāli, ariya, term, used, buddhism, that, translated, noble, ordinary, valuable, precious, pure, rich, arya, sense, noble, exa. This article is about the use of the term arya within Buddhism For a general explanation of the Sanskrit term see Aryan Arya Sanskrit arya Pali ariya is a term used in Buddhism that can be translated as noble not ordinary valuable precious a pure 2 rich Arya in the sense of noble or exalted is frequently used in Buddhist texts to designate a spiritual warrior or hero Translations ofAryaEnglishnoblenot ordinarypreciousSanskritaryaPaliariyaBurmeseအရ ယ Tibetanའཕགས པ Wylie phags pa THL pakpa Glossary of Buddhism gt gt zum Begriff protosanskrit sanskrit indoeuropaisch arya a a ra ya All es a von Anfang a bis Ende a bei Alldem All em a a Er reichen a ra gt a ra deutsch Aar er reich en er greifen er fassen begreifen jagen morden immer zweideutig werden ya bringen bringen werden bringen werden bringen werden Contents 1 Usage 2 See also 3 Notes 4 References 5 Web references 6 SourcesUsage EditThe term is used in the following contexts The Four Noble Truths are called the catvary arya satyani Sanskrit or cattari ariya saccani Pali The Noble Eightfold Path is called the arya marga Sanskrit also aryaṣṭaṅgikamarga or ariya magga Pali Buddha s Dharma and Vinaya are the ariyassa dhammavinayo In Buddhist texts the aryas are those who have the Buddhist sila Pali sila meaning virtue and follow the Buddhist path Buddhists who have attained one of the four levels of awakening stream entry once returner non returner arahant are themselves called ariya puggalas Arya persons In the context of the Four Noble Truths contemporary scholars explain the meaning of arya as follows Paul Williams states The Aryas are the noble ones the saints those who have attained the fruits of the path that middle path the Tathagata has comprehended which promotes sight and knowledge and which tends to peace higher wisdom enlightenment and Nibbana Narada 1980 50 3 Geshe Tashi Tsering states The modifier noble i e arya means truth as perceived by arya beings those beings who have had a direct realization of emptiness or selflessness Noble means something seen by arya beings as it really is and in this case it is four recognitions suffering origin cessation and path Arya beings see all types of suffering physical and mental gross and subtle exactly as they are as suffering For people like us who do not have the direct realization of emptiness although we may understand certain levels of physical and mental experiences as suffering it is impossible for us to see all the levels of suffering for what they are Instead we may see some things as desirable when in truth they are suffering 4 Bhikkhu Bodhi explains web 1 The word noble or ariya is used by the Buddha to designate a particular type of person the type of person which it is the aim of his teaching to create In the discourses the Buddha classifies human beings into two broad categories On one side there are the puthujjanas the worldlings those belonging to the multitude whose eyes are still covered with the dust of defilements and delusion On the other side there are the ariyans the noble ones the spiritual elite who obtain this status not from birth social station or ecclesiastical authority but from their inward nobility of character These two general types are not separated from each other by an impassable chasm each confined to a tightly sealed compartment A series of gradations can be discerned rising up from the darkest level of the blind worldling trapped in the dungeon of egotism and self assertion through the stage of the virtuous worldling in whom the seeds of wisdom are beginning to sprout and further through the intermediate stages of noble disciples to the perfected individual at the apex of the entire scale of human development This is the Arahant the liberated one who has absorbed the purifying vision of truth so deeply that all his defilements have been extinguished and with them all liability to suffering In Chinese Buddhist texts arya is translated as 聖 approximately holy sacred pinyin sheng on yomi sei The spiritual character of the use of the term arya in Buddhist texts can also be seen in the Mahavibhasa and in the Yogacarabhumi The Mahavibhasa 5 states that only the noble ones aryas realize all four of the four noble truths aryasatyani and that only a noble wisdom understands them fully The same text also describes the aryas as the ones who have understood and realized about the truth of suffering impermanence emptiness and no self and who understand things as they are 6 In another text the Yogacarabhumi Taishō 1579 vol xx 364b10 15 the aryas are described as being free from the viparyasas Several Buddhist texts show that the arya dharma was taught to everybody including the aryas Dasyus Devas Gandharvas and Asuras The Bhaiṣajyavastu from the Mulasarvastivadavinaya describes a story of Buddha teaching his dharma to the Four Heavenly Kings Catvaraḥ Maharajaḥ of the four directions In this story the guardians of the east Dhṛtaraṣṭra and the south Viruḍhaka are aryajatiya aryas who speak Sanskrit while the guardians of the west Virupakṣa and the north Vaisravaṇa are dasyujatiya Dasyus who speak Dasyu languages In order to teach his Dharma Buddha has to deliver his discourse in Aryan and Dasyu languages This story describes Buddha teaching his Dharma to the aryas and Dasyus alike 7 The Karaṇḍavyuha a Mahayana sutra describes how Avalokitesvara taught the arya Dharma to the asuras yakṣa s and rakṣasa s 7 In many parts of the South India if somebody new is supposed to be addressed respectably the prefix Ayya derived from Arya is used South Indians used to call them Arya which is now transformed to Ayya This term is used even today citation needed See also EditArya Arya name Notes Edit Ajahn Sucitto states So the four truths ariya sacca are generally called noble truths although one might also translate ariya as precious 1 References Edit Ajahn Sucitto 2010 Kindle Location 122 Mingyur Rinpoche 2007 p 70 Williams 2002 p 52 Geshe Tashi Tsering 2005 Kindle Locations 349 350 Taisho 1545 vol xxvii 401c29 402a12 402b5 6 and 402a27 b6 Deshpande Gomez in Bronkhorst amp Deshpande 1999 a b Bronkhorst amp Deshpande 1999Web references Edit The Nobility of the Truths by Bhikkhu BodhiSources EditAjahn Sumedho 2002 The Four Noble Truths Amaravati Publications Ajahn Sucitto 2010 Turning the Wheel of Truth Commentary on the Buddha s First Teaching Shambhala Bronkhorst J Deshpande M M eds 1999 Aryan and Non Aryan in South Asia Evidence Interpretation and Ideology Department of Sanskrit and Indian Studies Harvard University ISBN 1 888789 04 2 Geshe Tashi Tsering 2005 The Four Noble Truths The Foundation of Buddhist Thought Volume I Wisdom Kindle Edition Gethin Rupert 1998 Foundations of Buddhism Oxford University Press Goldstein Joseph 2002 One Dharma The Emerging Western Buddhism HarperCollins Harvey Peter 1990 Introduction to Buddhism Cambridge University Press Lopez Donald S 2001 The Story of Buddhism HarperCollins Mingyur Rinpoche 2007 The Joy of Living Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness Harmony Kindle Edition Moffitt Philip 2008 Dancing with Life Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in the Face of Suffering Rodale Kindle Edition Williams Paul 2002 Buddhist Thought Taylor amp Francis Kindle Edition Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Arya Buddhism amp oldid 1119185331, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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