Phala
Phala is a Sanskrit term that means "fruit" of one's actions in Hinduism and Buddhism. In Buddhism, the following types of phala are identified:
- Ariya-phala also refers to the fruition of following the Buddhist path.
- Maha-phala refers the great fruits of the contemplative life.
Within Hinduism
[edit]Karma and its fruit
[edit]In Hinduism, the term phala is translated as fruition, results, effects.[1]
In Hindu literature, a phalashruti is a meritorious verse that describes the benefits of listening to a given text and details its greatness.[2]
The Yoga-Sûtra of Patañjali (verse 2.36) states:[1]
- As truthfulness (satya) is achieved, the fruits of actions naturally result according to the will of the Yogi. (satya pratisthayam kriya phala ashrayatvam)
Phalashruti
[edit]A phalashruti is a verse at the end of a text which asserts the value of the text and the benefits of attending to it. It is a genre convention of Hindu literature,[3] appearing at the end of a text or one of its constituent sections.[4][5] Such a verse offers a description of the benefits that could be accrued by an adherent from the recitation or listening to a given text. It may also extol the prominence of a work, as well as provide the appropriate context for its perusal.[6]
Within Buddhism
[edit]Within Buddhism, the term phala is used to refer to the fruition or results of actions according to the doctrine of karmic action and result.
Alternate translations
[edit]The term phala is translated as:
Ariya-phala
[edit]The term Ariya phala is used to refer specifically to the fruition of following the Buddhist path. The fruition for each of the four levels of the path is identified as follows:[9][10]
- Sota patti phala, fruition of stream entry
- Sakadagamiphala, fruition of once returning
- Anagami phala, fruition of non returning
- Arahatta phala, fruition of the worthy one or perfected one
Maha-phala
[edit]The term Maha-phala refers to the ten "Great fruits" of the contemplative life. According to the Samaññaphala Sutta, the 10 “Great fruits” (DN 2) are:[11]
- Equanimity (upekkha)
- Fearlessness (nibbhaya)
- Freedom from unhappiness & suffering (Asukhacaadukkha)
- Meditative Absorption (jhana/samādhi)
- Out-of-body experience (Manomaya)
- Clairaudience (dibba-sota)
- Intuition and mental telepathy (ceto-pariya-ñána)
- Recollection of past lives (Patisandhi)
- Clairvoyance (dibba-cakkhu)
- End of anxiety & mental agitation (nirvāna)
References
[edit]- 1 2 Yoga Sutras 2.35-2.45
- ↑ Mirashi, Vasudev Vishnu (1975). Literary and Historical Studies in Indology. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 4. ISBN 978-81-208-0417-3.
- ↑ Mirashi, Vasudev Vishnu (1975). Literary and Historical Studies in Indology. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 4. ISBN 978-81-208-0417-3.
- ↑ Reading the Fifth Veda: Studies on the Mahābhārata – Essays by Alf Hiltebeitel, Volume 1. BRILL. 27 July 2011. p. 19. ISBN 978-90-04-21620-4.
- ↑ Nayar, Nancy Ann (1992). Poetry as Theology: The Śrīvaiṣṇava Stotra in the Age of Rāmānuja. Otto Harrassowitz Verlag. pp. x. ISBN 978-3-447-03255-1.
- ↑ Stainton, Hamsa (5 August 2019). Poetry as Prayer in the Sanskrit Hymns of Kashmir. Oxford University Press. p. 37. ISBN 978-0-19-088982-1.
- ↑ Harvey 1990, p. 39-40.
- ↑ Buddhist Points Misunderstood, by Ven. D. Mahinda Thera
- ↑ Glossary from "Oneness", by Ven. Ajahn Sanong Katapunyo
- ↑ A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist Terms
- ↑ Samaññaphala Sutta (DN 2)
Sources
[edit]- Harvey, Peter (1990), Introduction to Buddhism, Cambridge University Press
Further reading
[edit]- Ajahn Sucitto (2010), Turning the Wheel of Truth: Commentary on the Buddha's First Teaching, Shambhala
- 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
- Keown, Damien (2000), Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford University Press, Kindle Edition
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