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indriya

Indriya is a term from Sanskrit and Pali that means power, faculty, or sense organ. In Indian philosophical and religious traditions it is used to refer both to the sense organs that receive external input and to broader mental faculties that govern perception, cognition, and action. The exact grouping and emphasis vary by tradition, but the core idea is an inherent capacity that enables experience and response.

In Buddhist usage, indriya commonly appears in two major senses. First, the six sense bases (the ayatana):

In Hindu philosophy, indriya often denotes the senses more broadly and is further distinguished into jnana-indriyas

Etymologically, indriya derives from a root meaning to know or perceive, reflecting its role as an inherent

eye,
ear,
nose,
tongue,
body,
and
mind.
These
are
the
gateways
through
which
contact
with
the
world
occurs
and
through
which
experience
arises
in
dependent
origination.
Second,
the
five
spiritual
faculties
(pañca-indriya):
faith
(saddha),
energy
or
vigor
(viriya),
mindfulness
(sati),
concentration
(samadhi),
and
wisdom
(pañña).
These
mental
powers
are
described
as
supports
on
the
path
to
awakening
and
are
cultivated
through
practice.
(organs
of
knowledge,
such
as
the
eyes,
ears,
nose,
tongue,
and
skin)
and
kriya-indriyas
(organs
of
action,
such
as
the
hands,
feet,
speech,
and
organs
of
reproduction
and
excretion).
This
division
underlines
a
dual
stream
of
perception
and
action
within
the
body
and
mind.
capability.
The
term
remains
a
foundational
concept
in
discussions
of
perception,
cognition,
and
liberation
across
South
Asian
philosophical
traditions.
See
also
ayatana
and
the
notion
of
sense
bases.