{{Short description|Practice in Hinduism}} {{Italic title}} thumb|350px|Initiation (dīkṣā) of a sacrficer (yajamāna) in a Vedic Soma-yajña
'''Diksha''' (Sanskrit: दीक्षा, IAST: dīkṣā) also spelled '''diksa''', '''deeksha''' or '''deeksa''' in common usage, translated as "preparation or consecration for a religious ceremony",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://students.washington.edu/prem/mw/d.html |title=Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary |publisher=University of Cologne |pages=d |access-date=2009-04-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110100238/http://students.washington.edu/prem/mw/d.html |archive-date=January 10, 2009 }}</ref> is giving of a mantra or an initiation by the guru (in Guru–shishya tradition) of Indian religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Diksha is given in a one-to-one ceremony, and typically includes undertaking a serious spiritual discipline.{{sfn|Coward|Goa|2004}}
''Dīkṣā'' can be of various types, through the teacher's sight, touch, or word, with the purpose of purifying the disciple or student. Initiation by touch is called ''sparśa dīkṣā''. The bestowing of divine grace through diksa is sometimes called ''śaktipāta''.{{sfn|Grimes|1996|p=117}} Another type of ''dīkṣā'', into a monastic order, involves a vow of celibacy, the renunciation of personal possessions, and the abandonment of worldly duties, including family ties. ''Dīkṣā'' has the same meaning in Jainism. ''Dīkṣā'' is also called ''Charitra'' or ''Mahanibhiskraman'' in Jainism.
In Hinduism, initiation takes the form of one of several rituals, depending on the individual and the tradition involved.
Vishnu Yamala (tantra) says: "The process that bestows ''divya jñānaṃ'' (transcendental, spiritual knowledge) and destroys sin (''pāpa''), the seed of sin and ignorance, is called ''dīkṣā'' by the spiritual persons who have seen the Truth (''desikais tattva-kovidaih'')."{{sfn|Pandey|2007}}
== Etymology == The word is derived from the Sanskrit root ''dā'' ("to give") plus ''kṣi'' ("to destroy") or alternately from the verb root ''dīkṣ'' ("to consecrate").{{sfn|Grimes|1996|p=117}}{{sfn|Kanta|1954|p=10}}
== Shaivism == In Shaivism, ''dikṣā'' (initiation) takes various forms. ''Cākṣuṣī dīkṣā'' involves the guru imparting energy through a spiritually charged gaze. ''Sparṣa dīkṣā'' is given by placing the right hand on the initiate's head, while ''Vācikī dīkṣā'' involves chanting the ''saṃhitāmantra'' aloud, preceded by withdrawal of the guru's senses in meditation. ''Mānasī dīkṣā'' is the mental equivalent of ''Vācikī dīkṣā''. ''Śāstrī dīkṣā'' occurs during the study of the scriptures. ''Yoga dīkṣā'' is bestowed when the disciple realizes ''Śiva-tattva'' through yoga. ''Hautrī dīkṣā'' is initiation through ''agnikārya'' (sacred fire ritual), which, when internal, is ''Jñānavatī dīkṣā'' and when external, ''Kriyāvatī dīkṣā''. ''Kriyāvatī dīkṣā'' is further divided: ''sabīja'' and ''nirbīja'', with ''nirbīja'' having subcategories of ''sadyo nirvāṇada'' and ''dehapātānte nirvāṇada'', and ''sabīja'' into ''loka dharminī'' and ''śiva dharmini'', with ''loka dharminī'' further divided into ''nirādhikāra'' and ''sādhikāra''.{{sfn|Deepa|2014|p=132-134}}
== Tantra == Tantra mentions five types of ''dīkṣā'': initiation by a ritual or ''samaya-diksa''; ''sparsa-diksa'' is an initiation by touch and is done without a ritual; ''vag-diksa'' is done by word or mantra; ''sambhavi-diksa'' is arising from perception of external appearance of the guru; ''mano-diksa'' refers to initiation performed in the mind.{{sfn|McDaniel|1989|p=106}}
The Bengali saint Anandamayi Ma often gave ''sparśa dīkṣā'' (divine touch) or ''dṛk dīkṣā''(through her look), through which she bestowed ''śaktipāta'' (divine grace).{{sfn|Hallstrom|1999|p=140-144}}
== Shakta == ''Dīkṣā'' for Shaktas is described in various texts such as ''Śāradātilaka Tantra'' (chapters 3–5), ''Prapañcasāra Tantra'' (chapters 5–6), and ''Śrītattva-Cintāmaṇi'' (chapters 2–5).{{sfn|Kanta|1954|p=10}} These works describe four types of diksha rituals: ''Kriyāvatī'', ''Varṇamayī'', ''Kalāvatī'', and ''Vedhamayī''.{{sfn|Prajnananda|2006}}{{sfn|Kanta|1954|p=14}}
* ''Kriyāvatī dīkṣā'' involves the guru taking the ''caitanya'' of the disciple into himself and uniting with his own, purifying it, and then returning it to the disciple. The guru then offers the ''pūrṇāhuti'' and recites the ''mūlamantra''.{{sfn|Kanta|1954|p=17-18}} * ''Varṇamayī dīkṣā'' involves the guru putting the letters (''varṇa'') into the body of the disciple and withdrawing them from the various parts of the body. The elements of the body dissolve and the disciple then attains a divine body. With the ''caitanya'' of the disciple having had become one with the Paramatma, the guru transfers the ''varṇa'' back into the disciple completing the ''dīkṣā''. {{sfn|Kanta|1954|p=18-19}} * ''Kalāvatī dīkṣā'' involves the guru uniting the 5 ''kalā'' (which are the powers of the ''bhūta''), namely ''nivṛtti'', ''pratiṣṭhā'', ''vidyā'', ''śānti'', and ''śāntyatīta'', with the appropriate parts of the disciples body.{{sfn|Kanta|1954|p=19}} * ''Vedhamayī dīkṣā'' involves the piercing of the mystical lotuses present in different parts of the body. The guru meditates on the deities and transfers different letters of the alphabet to the deity at each stage, uniting that deity with that lotus. This is successively done until ''Śakti'' is penetrated into the ''Paramatma'' along with the self of the disciple, resulting in the disciple gaining knowledge and becoming Shiva.{{sfn|Kanta|1954|p=19}}
=== Ramakrishna Mission === {{see also|Ramakrishna Mission}} The Ramakrishna Mission, originating from Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, gives its initiation through ''mantra-dīkṣā''.{{sfn|Bhuteshananda|2001}} The initiate is expected to be knowledgeable about the sect, its practices and its history. To accomplish that, the initiate is made to read 4 books (namely Sri Ramakrishna – Life and Teachings, Sri Sarada Devi – Life and Teachings, Swami Vivekananda – His Life and Legacy, and The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna) that encompass these aspects.{{sfn|Jnanadananda}} If the initiate is deemed worthy, then the leader of the mission gives ''mantra-dīkṣā'' using the ''Ramakrishna Mantra'', resulting in the initiate leading the life of a renunciant.{{sfn|Bhuteshananda|2001}}
== Vaishnav == === Pushtimarga === {{Image frame|width=250|content=250px |caption=Vallabha (left) giving Kr̥ṣṇa (center) a sacred thread after having received the ''Brahmasambandha mantra''.|align=right}} {{Main|Pushtimarga Sampradaya#Brahmsambandha and Initiation}}
The Pushtimarga Sampradaya initiates its devotees through a two-step process. The first part, known as ''śaraṇa mantropadeśa'', is administered in infancy or at a later age if requested. A descendant guru of Vallabhacharya has the initiate repeat the ''aṣṭākṣara mantra'' 3 times, and is given a ''kaṇṭhī''. The second part, known as ''Brahma-sambandha'', takes place before marriage or once the initiate is considered mature enough to grasp its significance. The guru administers the ''brahma-sambandha mantra'', completing the initiation.{{sfn|Bennett|1983|p=130-131}}
=== Gaudiya === {{see also|International Society for Krishna Consciousness#Four Regulative Principles}} For members of ISKCON (part of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition) the first ''dīkṣā'', or ''harināma-dīkṣā'' initiation, is performed as part of a fire sacrifice where grains, fruit, and ghee are offered into the sacred fire.{{sfn|Gallagher|Ashcraft|2006|p=23}}
=== Swaminarayana === {{see also|Swaminarayan Sampradaya}} ''Dīkṣā'' takes place in the Swaminarayan Sampradaya in three ways: (1) ''brahmachari'', (2) ''sadhu/bhagvati'', and (3) ''parshadi''. This diksha is administered by the ''acarya'' for the Vadtal and Ahmedabad dioceses and the guru for the other sects. The initiate bathes, has the hair cut, and comes before the guru. As part of a vedic ritual, the initiate receives the ''guru mantra'', which translates to "I take refuge in Swaminarayana". The initiate is then given the sacred thread, new clothes, a ''pagh'', a bowl for eating, along with a new name.{{sfn|Williams|1984|p=97}}{{sfn|Vivekjivandas|2010|p=207-208}}
== Jainism == {{Image frame|width=250|content=250px |caption=The Initiation Ceremony of Mahavira, Folio from the Kalpa Sutra and Kalacharyakatha.|link=Hello world|align=right}} {{Main|Jain monasticism}} {{see also|Śvetāmbara|Sthānakavāsī|Śvetāmbara Terapanth|Digambara|Digambara Terapanth}}
To join the Jain ascetic community, novices initially undergo a period of training where they memorize key texts and learn the principles of ascetic life. During the initiation ceremony, the presiding senior ascetic bestows a new name and symbolic implements: ''Śvetāmbaras'' receive robes, an alms bowl, a whisk, a staff, and sometimes a mouth-shield (in the case of ''Sthānakvāsī'' and ''Terāpanthī'' initiates), while ''Digambaras'', who adopt nudity, are given only a whisk and a water pot. Traditionally, novices pulled out their hair as a sign of renunciation, though shaving the head is now customary. After initiation, ascetics join a lineage tracing back to Mahāvīra (for ''Digambaras'') or his disciple Sudharman (for ''Śvetāmbaras'') and are guided by senior ascetics who oversee their conduct and scriptural learning.{{sfn|Dundas|2002|p=155-157}}{{sfn|Jaini|1998|p=243-245}}
== Other living examples == Other living traditions and sects approach ''dīkṣā'' in various ways. * Transcendental Meditation (TM) began initiation under the guidance of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the late 1950s. New members were initiated through a "devotional ritual (puja) whose focus was Brahmananda Saraswati and the Shankaracharya lineage. Initiates were given a specially suited ''mantra'', and taught how to practice meditation."{{sfn|Humes|Forsthoefel|2005}} * The Saiva Siddhanta Yoga Order (of Hinduism Today's Himalayan Academy) invites spiritually inclined young men under 24 (or under 23 outside the USA) to pursue a monastic path. The initiation process begins with a written introduction to the Satguru, followed by a guided aspirancy and supplicancy period involving celibacy, spiritual study, and temple service, progressing to renewable two-year vows and ultimately, lifetime monastic vows under the guidance of the Satguru.<ref>{{cite web |title=Become a Monk At Kauai's Hindu Monastery |url=https://www.himalayanacademy.com/become-a-monk/ |website=Kauai's Hindu Monastery |publisher=Himalayan Academy |access-date=20 December 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
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==See also== {{div col|colwidth=10em}} * Abhisheka * Brahmin * Dvija * Initiation * Rite of passage * Parampara * Prana Pratishtha * Ordination * Shakti * Shaktipata * Tantra {{div col end}}
{{Jainism topics}}
Category:Hindu rituals Category:Buddhist rituals Category:Rites of passage