Simran is a Sanskrit word derived from smaran, remembering, meaning 'realization of that which is of the highest aspect and purpose in one's life,' thus introducing spirituality. Through the years, it has been adapted into many languages.
[edit] Hindi Tamil Soos
Simran Soos is hindi and tamil name Avalokiteśvara famously states that, "Form is empty (Śūnyatā). Emptiness is form." The teaching then goes through some of the most fundamental Buddhist tenets such as the Four Noble Truths and explains that in emptiness none of these labels apply. That is; Buddhist teachings, while accurate descriptions of conventional truth, are mere statements about reality not reality itself, and therefore not the ultimate truth that is beyond description. Thus the bodhisattva, as the archetypal Mahāyāna Buddhist, relies on the perfection of wisdom, defined in the larger Diamond Sutra to be the wisdom that perceives reality directly without conceptual attachment. This perfection of wisdom is condensed in the Buddha's paradoxical phrases like "What is called the highest teaching is not the highest teaching." and in the mantra with which the Heart Sutra concludes: File:Http://co116w.col116.mail.live.com/att/GetAttachment.aspx?tnail=0&messageId=7844dd8c-ece9-4522-87a4-089e97cbe4ab&Aux=40
| Sanskrit |
| Devanāgarī |
Romanization |
Pronunciation |
Translation |
| गते गते |
Gate gate |
[gəteː gəteː] |
Gone, gone |
| पारगते |
Pāragate |
[pɑːɾə gəteː] |
Gone beyond, |
| पारसंगते |
Pārasaṃgate |
[pɑːɾəsəŋ gəteː] |
Gone completely beyond - |
| बोधि स्वाहा |
Bodhi svāhā |
[boːdɦɪ sʋɑːhɑː] |
Praise! awakening! |
This is Buddhist smaran in essence; that one realizes that all is empty and in time will return to nothing. For instance, all the fame or monetary value one earns in his lifetime will remain in this world when one passes on. This understanding comes about through constant self-realization - the sutras are merely to guide one, as explained by the Dalai Lama (2005: p. 46):
—
"One of the most important philosophical insights in Buddhism comes from what is known as the theory of emptiness. At its heart is the deep recognition that there is a fundamental disparity between the way we perceive the world, including our own experience in it, and the way things actually are.
We tend to relate to the world and to ourselves as if entities possessed self-enclosed, definable, discrete and enduring reality. For instance we tend to believe in the presence of an essential core to our own being which characterises our individuality and identity as a discrete ego, independent of the physical and mental elements that constitute our existence. The awareness of emptiness reveals that this is a fundamental error. the basis for attachment, clinging and numerous prejudices.
According to the theory of emptiness the assumption of intrinsic, independent existence is simply untenable. All things and events, whether material, mental or even abstract, are devoid of objective, independent existence. To possess such independent existence would imply that all things and events are somehow complete unto themselves and are therefore entirely self-contained. This would mean that nothing has the capacity to interact with or exert influence on any other phenomenon. The notion of intrinsic existence is incompatible with causation because causation implies contingency and dependence, while anything that inherently existed would be immutable and self-enclosed. But we know that there is cause and effect.
In the theory of emptiness, everything is composed of dependent related events, of continuously interacting phenomena with no fixed, immutable essence, in dynamic and constantly changing relations.
Thus, things and events are empty in that they can never possess any immutable essence, intrinsic reality or absolute ‘being’ that affords independence."[1]
Emptiness does not negate the play of appearances, it simply asserts that they are insubstantial. It is therefore incorrect to think of emptiness as equal to nothingness or nihilism.
[edit] Gurmukhi
Simar is a commonly used term as a verb in Gurmukhi, which refers to 'meditating' of the Nām.
It says in the Guru Granth Sahib that by practising Simran one is purified and attains salvation or 'mukti'. This is because 'si-mar' means 'to die over' something for which one must kill their ego in order to have union with the ultimate truth or sat.
Meditating, meditating, meditating in remembrance, I have found peace.
(simar simar simar sukh paa-i-aa.)
This japna teaches a person who wishes to gain from this human life, one must attain a higher spiritual state by become free of attachment by realizing that all that is, is empty as outlined in the Heart Sutra Thereby, merit is acquired by devoutly repeating, comprehending and living by the sacred word everyday so as to progressively reveal the divine and ultimate truth to the person who earnestly seeks it:
Nām, the incorruptible is beyond our comprehending. At the same time, it is our constant companion and preserves all creation. Therefore, truth will disclose itself unto us and lets us perceive it in our hearts. It is through earnestness that we can meet with such a truth.
[edit] Famous people with the name Simran
[edit] See also
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