Buddhism

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions A Dictionary of Buddhism Further reading

Darśana

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions | 1997 | | Copyright

Darśana (Skt., ‘viewing’).
1. In post-Vedic times, the term refers to the ‘schools’ or ‘viewpoints’ of Indian philosophy, both orthodox and heterodox. The orthodox (āstika) Hindu darśanas include six different systems which share certain presuppositions, in particular the authority of the Veda as an infallible source of knowledge. These six darśanas are traditionally listed in pairs in the following order: Nyāya, founded by Gautama, and Vaiśeṣika by Kaṇāda; Sāṃkhya, founded by Kapila and Yoga by Patañjali; Pūrva-mīmāṃsā founded by Jaimini and Vedānta by Bādarāyaṇa.

In dynamic interaction with the orthodox systems are the three main heterodox (nāstika) darśanas, Cārvāka, Jaina, and Buddhist, which modify and adapt traditional views and challenge the authority of the Veda as well as the brahman priesthood.

2. Paying respect or homage to (‘viewing’ with respect) a holy image, person or place, and receiving merit or blessing in return. Among Sikhs, the ‘viewing’ is of the Ādi Granth, and hearing its contents.

3. In Buddhism (Pāli, dassana), insight based on reason to defeat false views (dṛṣti; Pāli, diṭṭhi) and mental defects (kleśa; Pāli, kilesa).

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

JOHN BOWKER. "Darśana." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Darśana." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Darana.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Darśana." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Darana.html

Learn more about citation styles

darśana

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

darśana (Skt.; Pāli, dassana).
1. Literally ‘seeing’ or ‘view’, the Sanskrit word which most closely approximates the Western term ‘philosophy’, and is used to denote the six classical philosophical schools of ancient India.

2. In Buddhism it implies insight into reality or certain aspects of Buddhist doctrines such as the Four Noble Truths, for example, as in the ‘path of seeing’ (darśana-mārga), which is the third of the five paths to Buddhahood (see pañca-mārga).

3. Also used in Hinduism in the sense of an audience with a guru or holy person, but not found in Buddhism in this sense.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

DAMIEN KEOWN. "darśana." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "darśana." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-darana.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "darśana." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-darana.html

Learn more about citation styles

Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The Integrity of the Yoga Darsana: A Reconsideration of Classical Yoga Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 10/1/2001
	The Integrity of the Yoga Darsana: A Reconsideration of Classical Yoga. Magazine article from: The Journal of the American Oriental Society; 10/1/2001
	2 held with arms in Comilla Newspaper article from: UNB - United News of Bangladesh; 5/14/2010