Atman is a Sanskrit word that is commonly used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is a term that is often used to describe the innermost self or soul of an individual. Atman is a complex concept that has been interpreted in different ways by various religious and philosophical traditions. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, meaning, associations, synonyms, antonyms, and example sentences of atman.
Definitions
Atman is a Sanskrit word that is often translated as “self” or “soul.” It is a term that is used to describe the innermost essence of an individual. In Hinduism, atman is believed to be the eternal, unchanging, and indestructible self that is present in every living being. According to Hinduism, the goal of life is to realize the true nature of atman and merge it with the universal consciousness or Brahman.
In Buddhism, atman is not considered to be an eternal and unchanging entity. Instead, it is seen as a temporary and impermanent phenomenon that arises due to the interdependent nature of all things. In Buddhism, the goal is to realize the emptiness or non-self nature of atman and attain enlightenment.
In Jainism, atman is seen as a pure and eternal entity that is separate from the physical body. According to Jainism, the ultimate goal of life is to attain liberation or moksha by realizing the true nature of atman and shedding all karmic bonds.
Origin
The word atman has its roots in the Sanskrit language, which is an ancient language of India. The word is derived from the root word “at,” which means “to breathe.” The concept of atman has been a part of Indian philosophy and religion for thousands of years.
Meaning in different dictionaries
In the Oxford English Dictionary, atman is defined as “the individual soul or essence of a living being, regarded as a distinct entity which is reincarnated from one body to another and which is ultimately identified with the universal soul.”
In the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, atman is defined as “the innermost essence or soul of an individual, especially in Hinduism.”
Associations
Atman is associated with various concepts in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In Hinduism, atman is associated with the concept of Brahman, which is the universal consciousness or ultimate reality. In Buddhism, atman is associated with the concept of anatta, which is the non-self nature of all things. In Jainism, atman is associated with the concept of jiva, which is the pure and eternal self that is separate from the physical body.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of atman include self, soul, spirit, innermost being, and essence.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of atman include body, mind, ego, and personality.
The same root words
Some words that have the same root as atman include atma, which is a variation of atman, and pranayama, which is a yogic breathing technique.
Example Sentences
- The goal of Hinduism is to realize the true nature of atman and merge it with Brahman.
- In Buddhism, the goal is to realize the non-self nature of atman and attain enlightenment.
- Jainism teaches that atman is a pure and eternal entity that is separate from the physical body.
- The word atman is derived from the Sanskrit root word “at,” which means “to breathe.”