Pramana: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
'''Pramana''' (Tib. ''tsema''; ''tshad ma'') is a Sanskrit term, the primary meaning and most common translation of which is 'valid cognition', meaning the correct knowledge of a particular object. A valid cognition can either be a [[direct perception]] or an [[inference]]. | '''Pramana''' (Skt. Pramāṇa; Tib. ''tsema''; [[Wyl.]] ''tshad ma'') is a Sanskrit term, the primary meaning and most common translation of which is 'valid cognition', meaning the correct knowledge of a particular object. A valid cognition can either be a [[direct perception]] or an [[inference]]. | ||
As a consequence, the term is also used to refer to the corpus of Buddhist teachings on epistemology (the science of cognition, i.e. how do we know things) and ontology (which investigates the nature of existence), as these two are inextricably linked in Buddhism. The pioneers of these teachings are the Indian masters [[Dignaga]] and [[Dharmakirti]]. Pramana is taught in all [[shedra]]s since it is the basis for [[debate]], an important learning tool in traditional monastic universities. In this context the term is sometimes translated as 'Buddhist logic'. | As a consequence, the term is also used to refer to the corpus of Buddhist teachings on epistemology (the science of cognition, i.e. how do we know things) and ontology (which investigates the nature of existence), as these two are inextricably linked in Buddhism. The pioneers of these teachings are the Indian masters [[Dignaga]] and [[Dharmakirti]]. Pramana is taught in all [[shedra]]s since it is the basis for [[debate]], an important learning tool in traditional monastic universities. In this context the term is sometimes translated as 'Buddhist logic'. | ||
[[Category:Key Terms]] | [[Category:Key Terms]] | ||
Revision as of 06:24, 27 June 2007
Pramana (Skt. Pramāṇa; Tib. tsema; Wyl. tshad ma) is a Sanskrit term, the primary meaning and most common translation of which is 'valid cognition', meaning the correct knowledge of a particular object. A valid cognition can either be a direct perception or an inference.
As a consequence, the term is also used to refer to the corpus of Buddhist teachings on epistemology (the science of cognition, i.e. how do we know things) and ontology (which investigates the nature of existence), as these two are inextricably linked in Buddhism. The pioneers of these teachings are the Indian masters Dignaga and Dharmakirti. Pramana is taught in all shedras since it is the basis for debate, an important learning tool in traditional monastic universities. In this context the term is sometimes translated as 'Buddhist logic'.