The Concise Oxford Dictionary of World Religions (2643 page)

(Skt., ‘dwelling’). Originally a Buddhist monastic retreat during the rainy season, later becoming a permanent monastic establishment. The rock-carved vih
ras of the Western Ghats, usually associated with a
caitya
hall, are among the earliest surviving examples of Buddhist architecture, though Jain vih
ras (1st and 2nd cents. BCE) are found in Orissa. Of the rock-carved variety, Bh
j
, dating from the early
unga period (2nd cent. BCE) is a good example, consisting of a central rectangular chamber surrounded by individual cells. Later vih
ras are simply an elaboration on this basic theme, in which a central courtyard (very often enclosing a railed
Bo Tree
, shrine room, and ambulatory) is encompassed by monks’ cells, sometimes reaching several storeys with veranda attached.
The vih
ra is a fundamental feature of all Buddhist cultures. The Indian state of Bihar is so called because of the large number of vih
ras which at one time covered the landscape.

 
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(Skt., ‘knowing’).
1
In Hinduism, knowledge which penetrates ritual and sacrifice, and understands its meaning. It is therefore the highest state of consciousness in which the meditator sees
Brahman
, not just in the condition of
sam
dhi
, but in the whole of everything. In
Ved
nta
, this is ‘seeing Brahman with open eyes’.
2
In Buddhism (P
li,
viññ
na
), the fifth of the five
skandhas
. As ‘perception’, it is contrasted with
jñ
na
(‘understanding’). Its importance was enhanced in
Vijñanav
da
(Yog
c
ra), because it is the basis of the ‘storehouse consciousness’ (
laya-vijñ
na
), which contains the seeds of all
dharmas
(constituents of manifestation).