View source for Vīrya

{{Short description|Buddhist term}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Vīrya''}}
{{for|the Hindu term|Vīrya (Hinduism)}}
{{Buddhist term
|fontsize=100%
|title=vīrya
|pi = विरिय
|pi-Latn = viriya
|sa = वीर्य
|sa-Latn = vīrya
|en = diligence,<br>energy,<br>perseverance,<br/>enthusiasm,<br>sustained effort,<br>help
|bo= བརྩོན་འགྲུས།
|bo-Latn=[[Wylie transliteration|Wylie]]: brtson 'grus;<br>[[THL Simplified Phonetic Transcription|THL]]: tsöndrü
|ja=精進
|ja-Latn=shōjin
|ko = [[:ko:근 (불교)|근]], [[:ko:정진 (불교)|정진]]
|ko-Latn = geun, jeongjin
|zh=勤(T) / 勤(S),<br/>精進(T) / 精进(S)
|vi = Tinh Tấn
|si= [[:si:වීර්යය|වීර්යය]]
|km = ថាមពល
|km-Latn = thamôpôl
|my= ဝီရိယ
|my-Latn = wə rḭ ja̰
|tl = birisa
}}

{{buddhism-simple}}{{Cetasika|occasional}}
{{parami|float=right}}

'''{{transliteration|sa|Vīrya}}''' (Sanskrit; {{langx|pi|viriya}}) is a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] term commonly translated as "energy", "diligence", "enthusiasm", "effort" or "heroism" "help". It can be defined as an attitude of gladly engaging in wholesome activities, and it functions to cause one to accomplish wholesome or [[virtue|virtuous]] actions.

==Etymology==
{{transliteration|sa|Vīrya}} literally  means "state of a strong human" or "manliness."<ref name="MWD">See, e.g., which Monier Williams (1899), entry for "Vīryà," [https://web.archive.org/web/20090303213620/http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/cgi-bin/monier/serveimg.pl?file=/scans/MWScan/MWScanjpg/mw1006-virabhaTa.jpg p. 1006]: Defines {{transliteration|sa|vīryà}} in part as: "manliness, valour, strength, power, energy, [[Rig Veda|RV]] &c. &c.; heroism/heroinism, heroic deed, ibid.; manly vigour, virility, semen virile, [[Mahabharata|MBh]].; [[Kāvya|Kāv.]] &c;...."</ref> In [[Vedic literature]], the term is associated with heroism and virility.

In [[Buddhism]], {{transliteration|sa|virya}} refers to a practitioner's "energy",<ref name="MLDB"/><ref name="Ireland">{{multiref2
|1={{cite web|url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.4.01.irel.html|title=Meghiya Sutta: Meghiya|website=www.accesstoinsight.org|access-date=22 November 2022|translator-first=John D.|translator-last=Ireland|year=1998}}|2={{cite web|url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn48/sn48.054.wlsh.html|title=Pade Sutta: In the Foot|website=www.accesstoinsight.org|access-date=22 November 2022|translator-first=Maurice O'Connell|translator-last=Walshe|year=2009}} }}</ref><ref name="Bullitt"/> "persistence",<ref name="Bullitt"/><ref name="Thanissaro">{{cite web|url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.070.than.html|title=Kitagiri Sutta: At Kitagiri|website=www.accesstoinsight.org|access-date=22 November 2022|translator-last=Thanissaro|translator-first=Bhikkhu|year=2005}}</ref> "persevering,"<ref name="Piyadassi">{{cite web|url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn46/sn46.014.piya.html|title=Gilana Sutta: Ill|website=www.accesstoinsight.org|access-date=22 November 2022|translator-last=Piyadassi|translator-first=Thera|year=1999}}</ref> "vigour", "effort", "diligence",<ref name="g1"/><ref name="eric1"/> or "exertion", and is repeatedly identified as a necessary prerequisite for achieving liberation.

==Mental factor==
Within the Buddhist Abhidharma teachings, {{transliteration|sa|virya}} is identified as:
*One of the [[Mental factors (Buddhism)#Six occasional mental factors|six occasional mental factors]] within the Theravada Abhidharma 
*One of the [[Mental factors (Buddhism)#Eleven virtuous mental factors|eleven virtuous mental factors]] within the Mahayana Abhidharma

In this context, {{transliteration|sa|virya}} is defined as the attitude of gladly engaging in what is wholesome; its function is to cause one to accomplish wholesome actions.<ref name=g1>Guenther (1975), Kindle Locations 578–580.</ref><ref name=eric1>Kunsang (2004), p. 25.</ref>

The [[Abhidharma-samuccaya]] states: 
:What is {{transliteration|sa|virya}}? 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.<ref name="g1"/>

In the context of the Mahayana Abhidharma, {{transliteration|sa|virya}} is commonly translated as diligence.<ref name="g1"/>

==Pali literature==
In [[Buddhism]]'s [[Pali literature]], {{transliteration|pi|viriya}} is identified as critical component in each of the following sets of qualities conducive to [[bodhi|Enlightenment]] ({{transliteration|pi|[[bodhipakkhiyādhammā|bodhi-pakkhiyā-dhammā]]}}):
:*the five spiritual faculties ({{transliteration|pi|[[indriya]]}})
:*the [[Five Strengths|five powers]] ({{transliteration|pi|bala}})
:*the ten or six "perfections" ({{transliteration|pi|[[pāramitā]]s}})
:*the [[Seven Factors of Enlightenment|seven factors of enlightenment]] ({{transliteration|pi|bojjhaṅga}}).<ref name="Bullitt">See, e.g., Bullitt (2005), entry for "viriya," which defines this term as: "[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/glossary.html#viriya Persistence; energy. One of the ten perfections ({{transliteration|pi|paramis}}), the five faculties ({{transliteration|pi|bala}}; see {{transliteration|pi|bodhi-pakkhiya-dhamma}}), and the five strengths/dominant factors ({{transliteration|pi|indriya}}; see {{transliteration|pi|bodhi-pakkhiya-dhamma}})]". Retrieved 3 February 2011.</ref> 
It is also associated with "[[Noble Eightfold Path#Right effort|Right Effort]]" ({{transliteration|pi|sammā-vāyāma}}) of the [[Noble Eightfold Path]] (Pāli: {{transliteration|pi|aṭṭhaṅgiko maggo}}; [[Sanskrit|Skt.]]: {{IAST|aṣṭāṅga mārga}}) and with the "[[Four Right Exertions]]" ({{transliteration|pi|samma-ppadhāna}}).

In the ''Kīṭāgiri Sutta'' ([[Majjhima Nikaya|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: {{transliteration|pi|viriya}}] shall not be relaxed so long as I have not attained what can be attained by manly strength [{{transliteration|pi|purisa-tthāmena}}], manly energy [{{transliteration|pi|purisa-viriyena}}], and manly persistence [{{transliteration|pi|purisa-parakkamena}}]...."<ref name="MLDB">Ñāṇamoli &amp; Bodhi (2001), "Kīṭāgiri Sutta" (MN 70), pp. 583–84.</ref>

==Other characterizations==
{{transliteration|pi|Viriya}} stands for strenuous and sustained effort to overcome unskillful ways ({{transliteration|pi|akusala dhamma}}), such as indulging in sensuality, ill will and harmfulness (see, e.g., {{transliteration|sa|[[ahimsa|ahiṃsā]]}} and {{transliteration|pi|[[nekkhamma]]}}).{{citation needed|date=February 2011}}

{{transliteration|pi|Viriya}} can also be aroused by strong feelings of {{transliteration|pi|[[saṃvega]]}} and the practice of the [[Charnel ground#Sutrayana and Early Buddhism|charnel ground meditations]] as outlined in the [[Satipatthana sutta]].

It stands for the right endeavour to attain {{transliteration|sa|[[Dhyāna in Buddhism|dhyāna]]}}.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}}

{{transliteration|sa|Vīrya}} can also signify courage and physical strength and was cultivated by Buddhist guardians including the [[Shaolin Monastery|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/buddha_387356|title=Buddha Quotes|website=BrainyQuote|access-date=22 November 2022}}</ref>

In the absence of sustained effort in practicing meditation, craving creeps in and the meditator comes under its influence. Right effort ({{transliteration|sa|vīryabala}}) is thus required to overcome unskillful mental factors and deviation from {{transliteration|sa|dhyāna}}.{{citation needed|date=February 2011}}

==See also==
*[[Adhiṭṭhāna]] (resolute determination)
*[[Bodhipakkhiya dhamma]] (Qualities conducive to Enlightenment)
*[[Dana (Buddhism)|Dāna]] (generosity)
*[[Five Faculties]]
*[[Five Powers]]
*[[Four Right Exertions]]
*[[Khanti]] (patience)
*[[Maitrī|Metta]] (loving-kindness)
*[[Nekkhamma]] (renunciation)
*[[Noble Eightfold Path]]
*[[Wisdom in Buddhism|Pañña]] (wisdom)
*[[Passaddhi]] (tranquillity)
*[[Sacca (Buddhism)|Sacca]] (truth)
*[[Sisu]] (A similar concept in Finnish culture)
*[[Upekṣā|Upekkhā]] (equanimity)
*[[Vīrya (Hinduism)]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
*Bullitt, John T. (2005). ''A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist Terms''.  Available from "[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/glossary.html Access to Insight]" (ATI).
*Griffith, Ralph T.H. (1896). ''Rig Veda''.
*[[Herbert V. Guenther|Guenther, Herbert V.]] &  Leslie S. Kawamura (1975), ''Mind in Buddhist Psychology: A Translation of Ye-shes rgyal-mtshan's "The Necklace of Clear Understanding"''. Dharma Publishing. Kindle Edition.
*Ireland, John D. (trans.) (1998). "[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/kn/ud/ud.4.01.irel.html Meghiya Sutta: Meghiya]" ([[Udana|Ud]]. 4.1). Retrieved 7 February 2011 from "Access to Insight".
*[[Erik Pema Kunsang|Kunsang, Erik Pema]] (translator) (2004). ''Gateway to Knowledge, Vol. 1''. North Atlantic Books.
*[[Monier Monier-Williams|Monier-Williams, Monier]] (1899; rev. 2008). ''[http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/monier/index.html A Sanskrit-English Dictionary]''. Oxford: Clarendon Press. A general on-line search engine for this dictionary is available from "U. Cologne".
*[[Nanamoli Bhikkhu|Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu]] (trans.) &amp; [[Bhikkhu Bodhi|Bodhi, Bhikkhu]] (ed.) (2001). ''The Middle-Length Discourses of the Buddha: A Translation of the Majjhima Nikāya''. Boston: Wisdom Publications. {{ISBN|0-86171-072-X}}. 
*[[Piyadassi Thera|Piyadassi, Thera]] (1999). "[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn46/sn46.014.piya.html Gilana Sutta: Ill (Factors of Enlightenment)]" ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 46.14). Retrieved 7 February 2011 from "Access to Insight". 
*[[T. W. Rhys Davids|Rhys Davids, T.W.]] & William Stede (eds.) (1921-5). ''[http://dsal.uchicago.edu/dictionaries/pali/ The Pali Text Society's Pali–English Dictionary]''. Chipstead: [[Pali Text Society]].
*[[Thanissaro Bhikkhu|Thanissaro, Bhikkhu]] (trans.) (2005). "[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.070.than.html Kitagiri Sutta: At Kitagiri]" ([[Majjhima Nikaya|MN]] 70). Retrieved 6 February 2011 from "Access to Insight".
*Walshe, Maurice O'Connell (trans.) (2009). "[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn48/sn48.054.wlsh.html Pade Sutta: In the Foot]" ([[Samyutta Nikaya|SN]] 48.54).  Retrieved 7 February 2011 from "Access to Insight".

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[[Category:Wholesome factors in Buddhism]]
[[Category:Sanskrit words and phrases]]