Vīrya

Vīrya (Sanskrit; Pāli: viriya) is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "energy", "diligence", "enthusiasm", or "effort". It can be defined as an attitude of gladly engaging in wholesome activities, and it functions to cause one to accomplish wholesome or virtuous actions.

Etymology

Vīrya literally means "state of a strong man" or "manliness." In Vedic literature, the term is often associated with heroism and virility. In Buddhism, the term more generally refers to a practitioner's "energy" or "exertion," and is repeatedly identified as a necessary prerequisite for achieving liberation.

In Buddhist contexts, viriya has been translated as "energy," "persistence," "persevering," "vigour," "effort," "exertion," or "diligence."

Mental factor

Within the Buddhist Abhidharma teachings, virya is identified as:

In this context, virya is defined as the attitude of gladly engaging in what is wholesome; its function is to cause one to accomplish wholesome actions.

Vīrya (Hinduism)

Vīrya (Sanskrit वीर्य) literally means "state of a strong man" or "manliness." In Hindu Vedic literature, the term is often associated with heroism and virility. In Brahmacharya in Hinduism, Virya also refers to semen in a male and it is considered to be the 'vital fluid'. Loss of Virya from the body is avoided in Brahmacharya.

Vedic literature

Vīryà as "manly" and "hero" can be found, for instance, in the following excerpts from the Rig Veda (RV).

RV, Mandala 1, Hymn 32, v. 1

RV, Mandala 1, Hymn 103, vv. 5-7

See also

Notes

Sources