{{Short description|Sanskrit term}} '''Phala''' is a Sanskrit term that means "fruit" of one's actions in Hinduism and Buddhism. In Buddhism, the following types of ''phala'' are identified: * ''Ariya-phala'' also refers to the fruition of following the Buddhist path. * ''Maha-phala'' refers the ''great fruits'' of the contemplative life.

==Within Hinduism== In Hinduism, the term ''phala'' is translated as fruition, results, effects.<ref name=yoga1>[http://www.swamij.com/yoga-sutras-23545.htm Yoga Sutras 2.35-2.45]</ref>

In Hindu literature, a phalashruti is a meritorious verse that describes the benefits of listening to a given text and details its greatness.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mirashi |first=Vasudev Vishnu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=X0JUwf2BXVAC&pg=PA11-IA5 |title=Literary and Historical Studies in Indology |date=1975 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass Publ. |isbn=978-81-208-0417-3 |pages=4 |language=en}}</ref>

The Yoga-Sûtra of Patañjali (verse 2.36) states:<ref name=yoga1/> : As truthfulness (satya) is achieved, the fruits of actions naturally result according to the will of the Yogi. (satya pratisthayam kriya phala ashrayatvam)

==Within Buddhism== Within Buddhism, the term ''phala'' is used to refer to the fruition or results of actions according to the doctrine of karmic action and result.

===Alternate translations=== The term ''phala'' is translated as: * fruit (Harvey, 1990, p.&nbsp;39;{{sfn|Harvey|1990|p=39-40}} Keown, 2000, loc 810-813) * fruition * effect (Ven. D. Mahinda Thera<ref>[http://www.metta.lk/english/buddhist-points.htm Buddhist Points Misunderstood], by Ven. D. Mahinda Thera</ref>)

===Ariya-phala=== The term ''Ariya phala'' is used to refer specifically to the fruition of following the Buddhist path. The fruition for each of the four levels of the path is identified as follows:<ref>[http://www.chezpaul.org.uk/buddhism/books/glossary.htm Glossary from "Oneness", by Ven. Ajahn Sanong Katapunyo]</ref><ref>[http://www.accesstoinsight.org/glossary.html#phala A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist Terms]</ref> # ''Sota patti phala'', fruition of stream entry # ''Sakadagamiphala'', fruition of once returning # ''Anagami phala'', fruition of non returning # ''Arahatta phala'', fruition of the worthy one or perfected one

===Maha-phala=== The term ''Maha-phala'' refers to the ten "Great fruits" of the contemplative life. According to the ''Samaññaphala Sutta'', the 10 “Great fruits” (DN 2) are:<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.greatwesternvehicle.org/pali/Phala_Nikaya/samannaphala.htm Samaññaphala Sutta (DN 2)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> # Equanimity (upekkha) # Fearlessness (nibbhaya) # Freedom from unhappiness & suffering (Asukhacaadukkha) # Meditative Absorption (jhana/samādhi) # Out-of-body experience (Manomaya) # Clairaudience (dibba-sota) # Intuition and mental telepathy (ceto-pariya-ñána) # Recollection of past lives (Patisandhi) # Clairvoyance (dibba-cakkhu) # End of anxiety & mental agitation (nirvāna)

==Comparison to Christianity== The fruit (phala) of Buddhism and Hinduism are comparable the charisms of Charismatic Christianity which are known as the "sign-gifts” of the Holy Spirit, which are the charisms of prophesy, healing, and speaking in tongues, as described in St Paul's Epistle, 1 Corinthians, Chapters 12 and 14 and elsewhere.{{source needed|date=April 2026}}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==Sources== {{refbegin|30em}} * {{Citation| last =Ajahn Sucitto | year =2010 | title =Turning the Wheel of Truth: Commentary on the Buddha's First Teaching | publisher =Shambhala }} * {{Citation| last =Geshe Tashi Tsering | year =2005 | title =The Four Noble Truths: The Foundation of Buddhist Thought, Volume I | publisher =Wisdom, Kindle Edition}} * {{Citation| last =Gethin | first = Rupert | year =1998 | title =Foundations of Buddhism | publisher =Oxford University Press}} * {{Citation| last =Harvey | first =Peter | year =1990 |title =Introduction to Buddhism | publisher =Cambridge University Press}} * {{Citation| last =Keown | first =Damien | year=2000| title= Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction | publisher=Oxford University Press, Kindle Edition}} {{refend}}

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Category:Hindu philosophical concepts Category:Buddhist philosophical concepts Category:Karma in Buddhism