Samskara (Indian philosophy)

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In Hindu Philosophy and some Indian religions, samskaras or sanskaras (Sanskrit: संस्कार) are mental impressions, recollections, or psychological imprints that colour one's thoughts and actions, and form the basis for the development of karma theory. In Buddhism, the Sanskrit term saṃskāra is used to describe "mental formations," "will," and many other concepts; in Pāli it is referred to as saṅkhāra. According to various schools of Indian philosophy, every action, intent or preparation by an individual leaves a samskara (impression, impact, imprint) in the deeper structure of the person's mind. These impressions then await volitional fruition in that individual's future, in the form of hidden expectations, circumstances or a subconscious sense of self-worth. These Samskaras manifest as tendencies, karmic impulses, subliminal impressions, habitual potencies or innate dispositions. In ancient Indian texts, the theory of Samskara explains how and why human beings remember things, and the effect...

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