Understanding Kosha: The Five Sheaths in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism
Kosha (Sanskrit: कोश) is a Sanskrit term used in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism to refer to the sheath or covering that envelops the true self. In Hinduism, it is considered one of the five sheaths or koshas that cover the Atman, the individual self. The five koshas are:
1. Anna-maya kosha (sheath of food): the physical body and its needs
2. Prana-maya kosha (sheath of life force): the vital energy and breath that sustains the body
3. Manomaya kosha (sheath of mind): the mental and emotional aspects of the self
4. Vijnanamaya kosha (sheath of discernment): the intellect and ego that perceives and interprets the world
5. Anandamaya kosha (sheath of bliss): the innermost sheath that contains the true self, beyond the limitations of the physical body and the mind.
In Buddhism, the koshas are seen as a series of mental and emotional states that obscure the true nature of reality. The five koshas are:
1. Kama-kosha (sheath of desire): the craving and attachment to pleasure and possessions
2. Vijana-kosha (sheath of perception): the misperceptions and delusions that arise from ignorance
3. Vitarka-kosha (sheath of conceptual thought): the mental constructs and labels that we use to understand the world
4. Avidya-kosha (sheath of ignorance): the lack of understanding of the true nature of reality
5. Dhukka-kosha (sheath of suffering): the result of our attachment and ignorance, which leads to suffering and dissatisfaction.
In Jainism, the koshas are seen as a series of subtle bodies that surround the soul, and must be transcended in order to achieve liberation. The five koshas are:
1. Kaya-kosha (sheath of the body): the physical body and its limitations
2. Vijnana-kosha (sheath of consciousness): the mental and emotional aspects of the self
3. Manas-kosha (sheath of the mind): the thoughts and perceptions that shape our experience of reality
4. Buddhi-kosha (sheath of wisdom): the ability to discern and understand the true nature of reality
5. Atma-kosha (sheath of the soul): the innermost sheath that contains the true self, beyond the limitations of the physical body and the mind.
In all three traditions, the koshas are seen as a series of veils or coverings that obscure the true nature of reality, and must be transcended in order to achieve spiritual liberation or enlightenment.
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