Nama
Nāma (IAST)Translation: "name"
A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy
Sanskrit: नाम
Transliteration: Nāma
Translation: "name (from the verb root nam = "to honor")"
Definition:
- According to Jainism, it is one of the eight main types of action (Karma). In itself, it is of one hundred and three types. They all have to do with personality making. They are subdivided into four groups: collective types (Piṇḍa-Prakṛti); individual types (Pratyeya-Prakṛti); self-movable body (Trāsadasaka); and immovable body (Sthāvara-Daśaka).
- According to Buddhism, one of the names for the four elements (because they are objects of name).
- According to Advaita Vedānta, every appearance consists of name and form (Nāma and Rūpa).
- The Name is a referent to the Divine. God's various names are employed in chanting sacred hymns. Note the Ṛg Veda hymn "The One Being the wise call by many names—Ekam Sad Viprā Bahudhā Vadanti."
Reference:
- Grimes, John (1996). A Concise Dictionary of Indian Philosophy: Sanskrit Terms Defined in English. Albany: State University of New York Press
