encarnations

Encarnations, also known as avatara in Sanskrit, is a concept found in several religious traditions, most notably Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It refers to the descent of a deity or a spiritual being from a higher realm into a physical form on Earth. The purpose of such an incarnation is typically to restore cosmic order, deliver humanity from suffering, or impart divine knowledge.

In Hinduism, the most well-known concept of encarnation is that of Vishnu, who is believed to have ten principal avatara, including Matsya (fish), Kurma (tortoise), Varaha (boar), Narasimha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), Parashurama (a warrior sage), Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki (who is yet to appear). Each avatara is said to appear at a specific time to combat evil or guide the world through a crisis.

Buddhism also has a concept of embodied enlightenment, though it is not typically referred to as "encarnation" in the same way. Certain enlightened beings, such as the Dalai Lama, are believed to be reincarnations of previous spiritual masters, continuing their work in a new life. This is part of the concept of rebirth and karma, where consciousness is transmitted from one life to another.

Jainism shares the concept of Tirthankaras, who are perfected human beings that have achieved liberation from the cycle of birth and death. While not strictly divine incarnations, they are seen as exemplary figures who guide others towards spiritual enlightenment. The term "encarnation" in a broader sense can also refer to any manifestation or embodiment of a particular quality or spirit.