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{{Short description|Act of rejecting something previously endorsed}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
{{use Indian English|date=March 2016}}
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'''Renunciation''' (or '''renouncing''') is the act of rejecting something, particularly something that the renunciant has previously enjoyed or endorsed.
'''Renunciation''' (or '''renouncing''') is the act of rejecting something, particularly something that the renunciant has previously enjoyed or endorsed.


In religion, renunciation often indicates an abandonment of pursuit of material comforts, in the interests of achieving [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|enlightenment]], [[moksha|liberation]] or [[Kevala Jnana]], for example as practiced in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism respectively. In [[Hinduism]], the renounced order of life is {{transliteration|sa|[[sannyasa|sannyāsa]]}}; in Buddhism, the Pali word for "renunciation" is {{transliteration|pi|[[nekkhamma]]}}, conveying more specifically "giving up the world and leading a holy life" or "freedom from lust, craving and desires".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rhys Davids|first1=T.W.|last2=Stede|first2=William|volume=I(A)|title=The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary|year=1952|orig-year=1921|publisher=The Pali Text Society|location=London|page=[https://archive.org/details/palitextsocietys00pali/page/213/mode/1up 213]}} Rhys Davids & Stede speculate that the [[Sanskrit]] term with which {{transliteration|pi|nekkhamma}} is associated is either:
In religion, renunciation often indicates an abandonment of pursuit of material comforts, in the interests of achieving [[Enlightenment in Buddhism|Enlightenment]], [[Moksha|Liberation]], or [[Kevala Jnana]], for example as practiced in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism respectively. In [[Hinduism]], the renounced order of life is {{transliteration|sa|[[sannyasa|sannyāsa]]}}; in Buddhism, the Pali word for "renunciation" is {{transliteration|pi|[[nekkhamma]]}}, conveying more specifically "giving up the world and leading a holy life" or "freedom from lust, craving and desires".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rhys Davids|first1=T.W.|last2=Stede|first2=William|volume=I(A)|title=The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary|year=1952|orig-year=1921|publisher=The Pali Text Society|location=London|page=[https://archive.org/details/palitextsocietys00pali/page/213/mode/1up 213]}} Rhys Davids & Stede speculate that the [[Sanskrit]] term with which {{transliteration|pi|nekkhamma}} is associated is either:
; {{transliteration|sa|naiṣkramya}} : "inactivity, abstinence or exemption from acts and their consequences" ({{cite book|last=Monier Williams|first=Monier|title=Sanskrit-English Dictionary|year=1964|page=[https://archive.org/details/sanskritenglishdictionarymonierwilliamsmlbd_202003_385_U/page/570/mode/1up 570]|chapter=Naish}})
; {{transliteration|sa|naiṣkramya}} : "inactivity, abstinence or exemption from acts and their consequences" ({{cite book|last=Monier Williams|first=Monier|title=Sanskrit-English Dictionary|year=1964|page=[https://archive.org/details/sanskritenglishdictionarymonierwilliamsmlbd_202003_385_U/page/570/mode/1up 570]|chapter=Naish}})
; {{transliteration|sa|naiṣkāmya}} : "suppression of desire, profound contemplation" (''ibid'')</ref> See [[Sangha]], [[Bhikkhu]], [[Bhikkhuni]], [[Śramaṇa]]. In [[Christianity]], some denominations have a tradition of renunciation of [[the Devil]].
; {{transliteration|sa|naiṣkāmya}} : "suppression of desire, profound contemplation" (''ibid'')</ref> (See also ''[[sangha]]'', ''[[bhikkhu]]'', ''[[bhikkhuni]]'', and ''[[śramaṇa]]''.) In [[Christianity]], some denominations have a tradition of renunciation of [[the Devil]].


[[Renunciation of citizenship]] is the formal process by which a person voluntarily relinquishes the status of [[citizenship|citizen]] of a specific country. A person can also renounce property, as when a person submits a [[disclaimer of interest]] in property that has been left to them in a [[will (law)|will]].
[[Renunciation of citizenship]] is the formal process by which a person voluntarily relinquishes the status of [[citizenship|citizen]] of a specific country. A person can also renounce property, as when a person submits a [[disclaimer of interest]] in property that has been left to them in a [[will (law)|will]].


==Mahatma Gandhi==
==Buddhism==
The lives of Gautama Buddha illustrate the point as they demonstrated extreme renunciation and detachment in the performance of their Karma. Gautama Buddha renounced a kingdom in the quest for truth.
⚫
{{citation needed section|date=September 2023}}

It is widely believed in India that voluntary renunciation is how one gains power, for whatever purpose. In South Africa (1893–1915) [[Gandhi]] tried many spiritual practices and experiments, almost all of them including a component of renunciation, based in the practice of {{transliteration|sa|[[sannyasa]]}}. After reading ''[[Unto This Last]]'' by John Ruskin in 1904 Gandhi redoubled his commitment to gain greater control over self, increasing his capacity to work for the common welfare and find a greater sense of oneness with others. The ultimate renunciation is of self, one's separateness from others and the world.
==Hinduism==
Renunciation in Hinduism is primarily associated with the Sanskrit terms ''[[saṃnyāsa]]'' and ''saṃnyāsin''. ''Saṃnyāsa'' denotes the practice of renouncing worldly life to become a homeless wandering mendicant, while ''saṃnyāsin'' refers to an individual who adopts this lifestyle. These terms became prominent around the beginning of the Common Era and were widely used in the medieval period. Ancient texts such as the ''[[Dharmaśāstra]]'' more commonly used terms like ''pravrajita'', ''parivrajaka'', ''parivrat'', ''bhiksu'', ''[[śramaṇa]]'', and ''yati'' for ascetics.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Flood |first=Gavin Dennis |title=Hindu practice |date=2020 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-873350-8 |series=The Oxford history of hinduism |location=Oxford |pages=101-102}}</ref>

The lives of Rama and Krishna illustrate the point as they demonstrated extreme renunciation and detachment in the performance of their karma. Rama renounced the throne of Ayodhya in obedience to his father. Krishna charioted and directed the Mahabharata in the Kurukshetra war, but did not aspire for anything for himself.

==Jainism==
⚫
{{empty section|date=December 2023}}


==Christianity==
==Christianity==
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The [[Church of England]] dismissed this rubric in a 2014 renewal of liturgy. According to ''[[The Independent]]'', this was done in an attempt to "widen the appeal" of the rite.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/devil-vows-taken-out-of-christening-services-as-church-of-england-aims-to-widen-appeal-9604399.html|title=Devil vows taken out of Christening services as Church of England aims|date=14 July 2014|work=The Independent|access-date=12 December 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> A prior report for the Church's Liturgical Commission stated that "[f]or the majority of those attending, the existing provision can seem complex and inaccessible."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/baptism-services-may-omit-devil-30427261.html|title=Baptism services may omit 'Devil'|work=[[Belfast Telegraph]]|access-date=12 December 2017}}</ref>
The [[Church of England]] dismissed this rubric in a 2014 renewal of liturgy. According to ''[[The Independent]]'', this was done in an attempt to "widen the appeal" of the rite.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/devil-vows-taken-out-of-christening-services-as-church-of-england-aims-to-widen-appeal-9604399.html|title=Devil vows taken out of Christening services as Church of England aims|date=14 July 2014|work=The Independent|access-date=12 December 2017|language=en-GB}}</ref> A prior report for the Church's Liturgical Commission stated that "[f]or the majority of those attending, the existing provision can seem complex and inaccessible."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/baptism-services-may-omit-devil-30427261.html|title=Baptism services may omit 'Devil'|work=[[Belfast Telegraph]]|access-date=12 December 2017}}</ref>


In the [[Church of Norway]], the public renunciation of the Devil is an obligatory element in the [[Church service|Main Service]]. It is stated by the congregation before the profession of faith (usually the [[Apostles' Creed]], as the [[Nicene Creed]] is largely reserved for special observances). When performed in a service which includes a baptism, it is also considered an extension of the testimony given by the [[Godparent|sponsors]], as they are required to confess to a denomination which does not reject the Apostles' or the Nicene Creed, nor rejects [[infant baptism]].<ref>{{multiref2
In the [[Church of Norway]], the public renunciation of the Devil is an obligatory element in the [[Church service|main service]]. It is stated by the congregation before the profession of faith (usually the [[Apostles' Creed]], as the [[Nicene Creed]] is largely reserved for special observances). When performed in a service which includes a baptism, it is also considered an extension of the testimony given by the [[Godparent|sponsors]], as they are required to confess to a denomination which does not reject the Apostles' or the Nicene Creed, nor rejects [[infant baptism]].<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.kirken.no/globalassets/kirken.no/om-troen/liturgier-oversatt/the-order-of-the-principal-service.pdf|chapter=The Order of the Principal Service|year=2011|title=The Service Book for the Church of Norway}}
|1={{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.kirken.no/globalassets/kirken.no/om-troen/liturgier-oversatt/the-order-of-the-principal-service.pdf|chapter=The Order of the Principal Service|year=2011|title=The Service Book for the Church of Norway}}
|2={{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.kirken.no/globalassets/kirken.no/om-troen/liturgier-oversatt/baptism_independent_service.pdf|chapter=The order of Baptism as an independent service|year=2011|title=The Service Book for the Church of Norway}}
|2={{cite book|chapter-url=https://www.kirken.no/globalassets/kirken.no/om-troen/liturgier-oversatt/baptism_independent_service.pdf|chapter=The order of Baptism as an independent service|year=2011|title=The Service Book for the Church of Norway}}
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==See also==
==See also==
* [[Asceticism]]
* [[Asceticism]]
* [[Nekkhamma]]
* [[Sannyasa]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
*{{wikiquote inline}}
{{wiktionary|renunciation}}
*{{wiktionary inline|renunciation}}


{{Virtues}}
{{Virtues}}

Revision as of 17:55, 2 June 2024

The Bahubali statue symbolising absolute renunciation of Samsara (the weary wheel of death and reincarnation).

Renunciation (or renouncing) is the act of rejecting something, particularly something that the renunciant has previously enjoyed or endorsed.

In religion, renunciation often indicates an abandonment of pursuit of material comforts, in the interests of achieving Enlightenment, Liberation, or Kevala Jnana, for example as practiced in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism respectively. In Hinduism, the renounced order of life is sannyāsa; in Buddhism, the Pali word for "renunciation" is nekkhamma, conveying more specifically "giving up the world and leading a holy life" or "freedom from lust, craving and desires".[1] (See also sangha, bhikkhu, bhikkhuni, and śramaṇa.) In Christianity, some denominations have a tradition of renunciation of the Devil.

Renunciation of citizenship is the formal process by which a person voluntarily relinquishes the status of citizen of a specific country. A person can also renounce property, as when a person submits a disclaimer of interest in property that has been left to them in a will.

Buddhism

The lives of Gautama Buddha illustrate the point as they demonstrated extreme renunciation and detachment in the performance of their Karma. Gautama Buddha renounced a kingdom in the quest for truth.

Hinduism

Renunciation in Hinduism is primarily associated with the Sanskrit terms saṃnyāsa and saṃnyāsin. Saṃnyāsa denotes the practice of renouncing worldly life to become a homeless wandering mendicant, while saṃnyāsin refers to an individual who adopts this lifestyle. These terms became prominent around the beginning of the Common Era and were widely used in the medieval period. Ancient texts such as the Dharmaśāstra more commonly used terms like pravrajita, parivrajaka, parivrat, bhiksu, śramaṇa, and yati for ascetics.[2]

The lives of Rama and Krishna illustrate the point as they demonstrated extreme renunciation and detachment in the performance of their karma. Rama renounced the throne of Ayodhya in obedience to his father. Krishna charioted and directed the Mahabharata in the Kurukshetra war, but did not aspire for anything for himself.

Jainism

Christianity

In some Christian denominations, renunciation of the Devil is a common liturgical rubric. This is most often seen in connection with the sacrament of baptism. In the Roman Catholic church a baptism usually contains the "Prayer of Exorcism". Later in the ceremony, the parents and godparents are asked to publicly renounce the devil.[3]

The Church of England dismissed this rubric in a 2014 renewal of liturgy. According to The Independent, this was done in an attempt to "widen the appeal" of the rite.[4] A prior report for the Church's Liturgical Commission stated that "[f]or the majority of those attending, the existing provision can seem complex and inaccessible."[5]

In the Church of Norway, the public renunciation of the Devil is an obligatory element in the main service. It is stated by the congregation before the profession of faith (usually the Apostles' Creed, as the Nicene Creed is largely reserved for special observances). When performed in a service which includes a baptism, it is also considered an extension of the testimony given by the sponsors, as they are required to confess to a denomination which does not reject the Apostles' or the Nicene Creed, nor rejects infant baptism.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Rhys Davids, T.W.; Stede, William (1952) [1921]. The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary. Vol. I(A). London: The Pali Text Society. p. 213. Rhys Davids & Stede speculate that the Sanskrit term with which nekkhamma is associated is either:
    naiṣkramya
    "inactivity, abstinence or exemption from acts and their consequences" (Monier Williams, Monier (1964). "Naish". Sanskrit-English Dictionary. p. 570.)
    naiṣkāmya
    "suppression of desire, profound contemplation" (ibid)
  2. ^ Flood, Gavin Dennis (2020). Hindu practice. The Oxford history of hinduism. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 101–102. ISBN 978-0-19-873350-8.
  3. ^ "Rite for the Baptism of One Child". The Catholic Liturgical Library. 15 May 1969. Archived from the original on 12 December 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  4. ^ Dearden, Lizzie (14 July 2014). "Devil vows taken out of Christening services as Church of England aims". The Independent. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  5. ^ "Baptism services may omit 'Devil'". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 12 December 2017.
  6. ^
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