4👑☸ Cattāri Ariya-saccaṃ 四聖諦
viveka
1.1 - 'Viveka', pre-Buddhist meaning
1.1.1 – viveka = differentiation
Gabriel Sep '20 wrote
https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/alternative-translation-for-viveka/17120/3?replies_to_post_number=16
The (current sanskrit) dictionary entries are misleading in that they mostly refer to post-Buddha literature.
There are not many pre-Buddha examples.
I could basically only find one example, namely in Chand. Up. 6.9.2:
"Now, take the bees, son.
They prepare the honey by gathering nectar from a variety of trees and by reducing that nectar to a homogeneous whole.
In that state the nectar from each different tree is not able to differentiate (na vivekaṃ labhante):
‘I am the nectar of that tree,’ and
‘I am the nectar of this tree.’
1.2 - 'Viveka', Sanskrit dictionary
Primary meaning is ‘discrimination’.
Other meanings:
(1) true knowledge,
(2) discretion,
(3) right judgement,
(4) the faculty of distinguishing and classifying things according to their real properties’.
Wikipedia
Viveka (Sanskrit: विवेक, romanized: viveka) is a Sanskrit and Pali term translated into English as discernment or discrimination.[1] According to Rao and Paranjpe, viveka can be explained more fully as:
Sense of discrimination; wisdom; discrimination between the real and the unreal, between the self and the non-self, between the permanent and the impermanent; discriminative inquiry; right intuitive discrimination; ever present discrimination between the transient and the permanent.[2]: 348
The Vivekachudamani is an eighth-century Sanskrit poem in dialogue form that addresses the development of viveka. Within the Vedanta tradition, there is also a concept of vichara which is one type of viveka.
1.3 – From Digital Pāḷi Dictionary
viveka 1
masc. seclusion; solitude; detachment; disengagement. [vi + √vic + *a]
viveka 2
masc. discrimination; understanding; true knowledge. [vi + √vic + *a]
2 – suttas (alphabetical) justifying different definitions of viveka
2.1 – ‘seclusion’ doesn’t make sense, ‘discernment’ does
AN 3.93 sutta title is 'pa-viveka'
AN 3.93 sutta title is 'pa-viveka'
DN 33 viveka as 'seclusion' clearly doesn't fit here, in three types of wisdom section
DN 33 viveka as 'seclusion' clearly doesn't fit here, in three types of wisdom section
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Tīṇāvudhāni— |
Three weapons: |
sutāvudhaṃ, pavivekāvudhaṃ, paññāvudhaṃ. (44) |
learning, seclusion, and wisdom. |
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KN Iti 38 viveka leads to vitakka thoughts discriminating between skillful and not
KN Iti 38 is especially noticeable
is a great example of viveka as 'discernment'.
(link to sutta in pali + eng) ● KN Iti 38 Vitakka: thoughts
(brief synopsis)
Two thoughts occur to the Buddha. 1) Thoughts of safety, based on non ill will, may all creatures not be harmed. 2) thoughts on seclusion-&-discernment such as 'what is skillful?', 'what should be abandoned?'
relevant part: (modified sujato trans.)
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Pavivekārāmā, bhikkhave, viharatha pavivekaratā. |
You too should relish seclusion and delight in it, |
Tesaṁ vo, bhikkhave, tumhākaṁ pavivekārāmānaṁ viharataṁ pavivekaratānaṁ eseva vitakko bahulaṁ samudācarissati: |
then this thought will often occur to you: |
‘kiṁ akusalaṁ, kiṁ appahīnaṁ, kiṁ pajahāmā’”ti. |
‘What is unskillful? What is not given up? What should I give up?’” |
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Etamatthaṁ bhagavā avoca. Tatthetaṁ iti vuccati: |
That is what the Buddha said. On this it is said: |
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Sujato translated viveka there as 'seclusion', and it does makes sense.
However, discrimination and discernment makes even more sense.
Think about it.
If you were relishing viveka (as seclusion) by going to a nice, peaceful nature spot,
what kind of thoughts are you likely to have immediately?
Wow, being alone in this beautiful place is nice. Peaceful. Inspiring. Relaxing.
Whereas if you were relishing viveka (as mental discernment, sharply discriminating mind), what would be the natural thoughts that occur to you?
Exactly what KN Iti 38 says:
‘What is unskillful?
What is not given up?
What should I give up?’”
And if you followed up on those thoughts, then that would tend to lead to seclusion (from unskillful Dharmas, unskillful thoughts, etc.).
But if you had started with viveka as seclusion (rather than discernment), that does not naturally lead to, "Hmm.., let me investigate the nature of kusala and akusala and what should be abandoned."
KN Snp 5.6 Dhotaka
KN Snp 5.6 Dhotaka
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“Anusāsa brahme karuṇāyamāno, |
“Teach me, brahmin, out of compassion, |
Viveka-dhammaṁ yamahaṁ vijaññaṁ; |
the dharma of judicious-seclusion (viveka ) so that I may understand. |
(… nothing to do with physical seclusion! Viveka here is discrimination, judgement, understanding, discernment…)
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“Yaṁ kiñci sampajānāsi, |
“Once you have understood that everything,” |
(dhotakāti bhagavā) |
(replied the Buddha), |
Uddhaṁ adho tiriyañcāpi majjhe; |
“you are aware of in the world— |
Etaṁ viditvā saṅgoti loke, |
above, below, all round, between— |
Bhavābhavāya mākāsi taṇhan”ti. |
is a snare, don’t crave for life after life.” |
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MN 3
MN 3
2.2 – both 'discernment' and 'seclusion' apply together in conjunction
first jhāna formula 7 awakening factors formula: viveka nissitam, viraga... nirodha... vossagga parinamim viveka not just 'seclusion', but 'judicious seclusion': SN 16.4, MN 4, AN 8.30
KN Snp 4.2: person trapped in cave is physically secluded, but not mentally secluded.
very strong first jhāna context here, contrasting sensual pleasures and viveka, showing that viveka must include both discernment and mental seclusion from sensual pleasures and unskillful Dharmas.
SN 5.1: yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami vivekatthinī
(the nun) went to the Dark Forest seeking seclusion.
frankk: yes, definitely there is meaning of physical seclusion there. But Māra talks about tempting the nun with sensual pleasure, and the nun replies she is no longer tempted by sensual pleasures, because she has seen through wisdom they are suffering. So it’s not the physical seclusion of viveka that frees her from lust, it’s the mental seclusion from discernment and wisdom understanding the nature of lust and sensual pleasures. Therefore viveka here has to incorporate discernment and physical seclusion.
SN 9.1: In the “Viveka Sutta” a mendicant stuck on thoughts of the household life is urged to desire seclusion, having entered the forest.
frankk: agree physical seclusion is part of the equation here, but see reasoning for SN 5.1. viveka here is more importantly focused on mental seclusion from defilments and the discernment required to do that.
2.3 – 'seclusion' makes sense here, 'discernment' doesn't
According to sujato, these suttas have to mean 'seclusion'
KN Snp 4.7: A mendicant is urged to “train in seclusion” (Vivekaññeva sikkhetha), alone.
frankk: disagree with sujato here. Physical seclusion does not remove desire for sex. It’s discernment + mental seclusion from defilelments. See
viveka 2.2 comments for Snp 4.2, this is also first jhāna context.
SN 5.1: yena andhavanaṁ tenupasaṅkami vivekatthinī
(the nun) went to the Dark Forest seeking seclusion.
frankk: yes, definitely there is meaning of physical seclusion there. But Māra talks about tempting the nun with sensual pleasure, and the nun replies she is no longer tempted by sensual pleasures, because she has seen through wisdom they are suffering. So it’s not the physical seclusion of viveka that frees her from lust, it’s the mental seclusion from discernment and wisdom understanding the nature of lust and sensual pleasures. Therefore viveka here has to incorporate discernment and physical seclusion.
SN 9.1: In the “Viveka Sutta” a mendicant stuck on thoughts of the household life is urged to desire seclusion, having entered the forest.
frankk: agree physical seclusion is part of the equation here, but see reasoning for SN 5.1. viveka here is more importantly focused on mental seclusion from defilments and the discernment required to do that.
In the Vinaya, a monastic who lives in too-close company with others is urged to be “secluded”. (Bhikkhuni pacittiya 36)
10 – misc.
Forum discussion sujato lists some suttas where viveka must be seclusion, gabriel lists one where seclusion doesn't fit
🔗sutta central disc. viveka
excerpt: Keren Arbel's book
excerpt: Keren Arbel's book on Early Buddhist Meditation on 'viveka'
III Viveka
The Pāli English Dictionary, and consequently most translators, translates viveka as ‘detachment’, ‘separation’ and ‘seclusion’.34 Buddhaghosa explains that viveka means either the disappearance of the hindrances, or that the jhāna factors are secluded from the hindrances.35 However, according to the Sanskrit dictionary, the first meaning of viveka is ‘discrimination’.36 The Sanskrit dictionary further describes viveka as ‘(1) true knowledge, (2) discretion, (3) right judgement, and (4) the faculty of distinguishing and classifying things according to their real properties’. These meanings of the term viveka seem to assist in interpreting this term in the Buddhist context as well, since viveka has no clear definition in the Nikāyas and it seems to be used in different ways. I suggest that the use of vivicca and viveka, in the description of the first jhāna (both from the verb vi + vic), plays with both meanings of the verb; namely, its meaning as discernment and the consequent ‘seclusion’ and letting go. Although there are times that the Buddha changes the meaning of a Sanskrit term completely, sometimes he does not; for example, he retains the meanings of terms such as dukkha, sukha and so on. I believe that the term viveka retained in the Nikāyas also its Sanskrit meaning as ‘discernment’.
This interpretation is supported by a description from SN V 301. In this sutta, the quality of viveka is developed by the practice of the four satipaṭṭhānas. Anuruddha declares that
[i]ndeed friends, when that bhikkhu is developing and cultivating the four establishings of mindfulness, it is impossible that he will give up the training and return to the lower life. For what reason? Because for a long time his mind has slanted, sloped, and inclined towards viveka. 37
Here Anuruddha clearly states that by seeing clearly (anupassati) body, feeling, mind and dhammas (the four focuses of mindfulness) the practitioner develops the quality of viveka. In this context, it seems that viveka is a quality connected to clear seeing, to discernment of the nature of experience.38 We also see here that the jhānas follow the development of the four satipaṭṭhānas and not some practice of onepointed concentration.39 The preceding also indicates that the development of the four satipaṭṭhānas inclines the mind towards discerning
the true nature of phenomena; discernment that allows the mind to see the disadvantage of sense pleasures and, hence, let go of the desire for them and other unwholesome states (such as clinging and aversion, for example).That is, the cultivation of the four satipaṭṭhānas develops the ability to recognize and discern the mechanism of mind and body for seeing clearly into the nature of the various physical and mental phenomena. I would suggest that this discernment of phenomena (dhammas), and the consequent detachment (vivicca) is indicated by the term viveka, the same viveka from which pīti and sukha of the first jhāna are born.40 Discerning the nature of phenomena enables the mind to change its inclinations; that is, it allows us to let go of our basic unwholesome tendencies and desires, which are based on a mistaken perception of reality. This letting go (vossagga) is the proximate cause for entering the first jhāna.
999 – Bookmarks of interest
999.9 – TOC permalinks
viveka 1 – Viveka
viveka 1.1 - 'Viveka', pre-Buddhist meaning
viveka 1.1.1 – viveka = differentiation
viveka 1.2 - 'Viveka', Sanskrit dictionary
viveka 1.3 – From Digital Pāḷi Dictionary
viveka 2 – suttas (alphabetical) justifying different definitions of viveka
viveka 2.1 – ‘seclusion’ doesn’t make sense, ‘discernment’ does
viveka 2.2 – both 'discernment' and 'seclusion' apply together in conjunction
viveka 2.3 – 'seclusion' makes sense here, 'discernment' doesn't
viveka 10 – misc.