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Vīrya

(Sanskrit; ) is a Buddhist term commonly translated as "energy", "diligence", "enthusiasm", "effort", "heroism", or "help". 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

literally means "state of a strong human" or "manliness." In Vedic literature, the term is associated with heroism and virility.

In Buddhism, refers to a practitioner's "energy", "persistence", "persevering," "vigour", "effort", "diligence", or "exertion", and is repeatedly identified as a necessary prerequisite for achieving liberation.

Mental factor

Within the Buddhist Abhidharma teachings, is identified as:

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

The Abhidharma-samuccaya states:

What is ? It is the mind intent on being ever active, devoted, unshaken, not turning back and being indefatigable. It perfects and realizes what is conducive to the positive.

In the context of the Mahayana Abhidharma, is commonly translated as diligence.

Pali literature

In Buddhism's Pali literature, is identified as critical component in each of the following sets of qualities conducive to Enlightenment ():

*the five spiritual faculties ()
*the five powers ()
*the ten or six "perfections" ()
*the seven factors of enlightenment ().

It is also associated with "Right Effort" () of the Noble Eightfold Path (Pāli: ; Skt.: ) and with the "Four Right Exertions" ().

In the Kīṭāgiri Sutta (MN 70), the Buddha instructs his followers:

... For a faithful disciple who is intent on fathoming the Teacher's Dispensation, it is natural that he conduct himself thus: 'Willingly, let only my skin, sinews, and bones remain, and let the flesh and blood dry up on my body, but my energy [Pali: ] shall not be relaxed so long as I have not attained what can be attained by manly strength [], manly energy [], and manly persistence []...."

Other characterizations

stands for strenuous and sustained effort to overcome unskillful ways (), such as indulging in sensuality, ill will and harmfulness (see, e.g., and ).

can also be aroused by strong feelings of and the practice of the charnel ground meditations as outlined in the Satipatthana sutta.

It stands for the right endeavour to attain .

can also signify courage and physical strength and was cultivated by Buddhist guardians including the Shaolin monks. It signifies strength of character and persistent effort for the well-being of others as well as the ability to defend the Triratna from attacks.

In the absence of sustained effort in practicing meditation, craving creeps in and the meditator comes under its influence. Right effort () is thus required to overcome unskillful mental factors and deviation from .

See also

Notes

Sources