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Nimitta

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

Nimitta (Pāli, Skt.). In Buddhism, variously translated as ‘outward aspect’, ‘general appearance’, ‘perceived object’, ‘mark’, ‘image’, ‘sign’, ‘omen’. Its five most significant usages are as follows.1. In canonical Buddhism, the outward aspect or general appearance of an object; that aspect which we find attractive (abhijjhā) or repulsive (domanassa) when our senses perceive things.2. In meditation, the perceptual objects used for contemplation (kammaṭṭhāna) are referred to as nimitta because they function as a mark, sign, or image on which the eye and mind focus their attention.3. According to the Pāli Commentaries (Aṭṭhakathā), at the last moment of consciousness before death the sign of previous karma (kamma-nimitta) together with the sign of future destiny (gati-nimitta) arise as mental objects, as an indication of that person's impending rebirth.4. It is the term for the ‘signs’ or ‘omens’ of old age, sickness, death, and the wandering mendicant which, according to legend, convinced the Buddha to leave home and lead the ascetic life.5. In the Yogacārya (Vijñānavāda) branch of Buddhism, it is the term for the perceived object, which has no existence independently of the perceiver but is merely a representation of his inner consciousness.

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JOHN BOWKER. "Nimitta." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN BOWKER. "Nimitta." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Nimitta.html

JOHN BOWKER. "Nimitta." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions. 1997. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O101-Nimitta.html

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nimitta

A Dictionary of Buddhism | 2004 | | Copyright

nimitta (Skt., sign). Technical term in Buddhist psychology and philosophy denoting the cognition or apprehension of forms. The term denotes the basic data of perception such as colours, shapes, sounds, and so forth which are then processed by ideation (saṃjñā).

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DAMIEN KEOWN. "nimitta." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAMIEN KEOWN. "nimitta." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-nimitta.html

DAMIEN KEOWN. "nimitta." A Dictionary of Buddhism. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O108-nimitta.html

Learn more about citation styles