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Sanskara (IAST: , sometimes spelled ''samskara'') are rites of passage in a human being's life described in ancient Sanskrit texts, as well as a concept in the karma theory of Indian philosophies.〔〔〔 The word literally means "putting together, making perfect, getting ready, to prepare", or "a sacred or sanctifying ceremony" in ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts of India.〔 In the context of karma theory, Sanskara are dispositions, character or behavioral traits, that exist as default from birth or prepared and perfected by a person over one's lifetime, that exist as imprints on the subconscious according to various schools of Hindu philosophy such as the Yoga school.〔〔 These perfected or default imprints of karma within a person, influences that person's nature, response and states of mind.〔Stephen H. Phillips (2009), Yoga, Karma, and Rebirth: A Brief History and Philosophy, Columbia University Press, ISBN 978-0231144858, Chapter 3〕 In another context, Sanskara refers to the diverse rites of passage in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.〔David Knipe (2015), Vedic Voices: Intimate Narratives of a Living Andhra Tradition, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0199397693, page 52〕〔KE Nayar (2004), The Sikh Diaspora in Vancouver, University of Toronto Press, ISBN 978-0802086310, page 88〕〔Dagmar Benner (2008), in ''Mathematics and Medicine in Sanskrit'' (Editor: Dominik Wujastyk), Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120832466, pages 122-123〕 In Hinduism, the ''sanskaras'' vary in number and details according to regional traditions. They range from the list of 48 sanskaras in the Gautama Dharmaśāstras from about the middle of 1st millennium BCE,〔 to 16 sanskaras in the Grhyasutra texts from centuries later.〔Carl Olson (2007), The Many Colors of Hinduism: A Thematic-historical Introduction, Rutgers University Press, ISBN 978-0813540689, pages 93-94〕〔 The list of sanskaras in Hinduism include both external rituals such as those marking a baby's birth and a baby's name giving ceremony, as well as inner rites of resolutions and ethics such as compassion towards all living beings and positive attitude.〔 ==Etymology and meaning== ''Saṃskāra'' (Sanskrit: संस्कार) has various context driven meanings, that broadly refer to "the putting together, accomplishing well, making perfect, a form of solemn recognition and getting ready, engaging in works and acknowledging the purification of body by cleansing or mind by education or an object by a process (such as polishing a gem or refining a metal)".〔(saMskAra ) Monier-Williams' Sanskrit-English Dictionary, Cologne Digital Sanskrit Lexicon, Germany〕 The term appears in the Śrutis, and in the Smritis of diverse schools of Hinduism as well as the texts of Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism.〔〔 The etymological roots of the word ''samskara'' when it refers to rites of passage, is also "preparation, purifying, perfecting" from one's past state to one's future state.〔 The word ''samskara'' is rare in oldest layer of Vedic literature, but its roots ''sam'' and ''kr'' occur often enough.〔 The word appears in Rig Veda hymns 6.28.4 and 8.33.9, as well as other Vedic texts, where the context suggests it simply means "purify, prepare". It appears in Jaimini Purvamimamsa-sutra (500-200 BCE) many times, where it again means "prepare, perfect, polish" something, either through action, speech or mind.〔〔Rajbali Pandey (2013), Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments, 2nd Edition, Motilal Banarsidass, ISBN 978-8120803961, pages 15-16〕 In sections 3.8.3, 9.3.25 and 10.2.49 of the Jaimini Purvamimamsa-sutra, the word ''sanskara'' is used in describe actions of "washing the teeth, shaving the head, cutting nails, sprinkling water" as part of a ceremony.〔PV Kane, (Samskara, Chapter VI ), History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 190-191〕 Samskara is defined by ancient Indian scholar Shabara as, "that which prepares a certain thing or person fit for a certain purpose".〔 Another ancient text Viramitrodaya defines ''samskara'', notes Kane, as "a peculiar excellence due to performance of certain actions which resides in the soul or the body of the actor".〔 ''Sanskara'' in Hindu traditions, states Kane, have been ceremonies, with the expression of outward symbols or signs of inner change, marking life events of significance. They served a spiritual, cultural and psychological purpose, welcoming an individual into a stage of life, conferring privileges to the individual(s), expecting duties from the individual, and impressing on the individual as well individual's social circle of his or her new role.〔PV Kane, (Samskara, Chapter VI ), History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 192-193〕 ''Sanskāra'', in modern usage, is sometimes used to mean "cultural, social or religious heritage".〔KK Sinha (2006), Social And Cultural Ethos Of India, ISBN 978-8126910199, pages 1-2〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Sanskara (rite of passage)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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