Satya

Glossaries

Term	Definition
Satya	Satya is a core moral principle in several Indian religious traditions, referring to truthfulness in speech, action, and intention. Derived from Sanskrit, satya literally means “truth” or “that which is real”. It is a fundamental ethical principle in various Indian religions, particularly Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. More than factual correctness, satya implies alignment between thought, speech, and action, and a commitment to avoid deceiving others, even by omission. In Jainism, satya is one of the five major vows (mahāvrata) observed by monks and laypeople. It is subordinated to ahimsā (non-violence): speaking the truth must not cause harm, and silence is preferred if the truth may inflict injury. In Hinduism, satya is closely linked to dharma (moral order) and sat (ultimate reality). It is regarded as a foundational virtue of righteous conduct (sadācāra) and is frequently mentioned in ancient texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gītā. In Buddhism, satya underpins the concept of right speech (sammā vācā) within the Eightfold Path, which prohibits lying, slander, and harmful speech. Across traditions, satya supports both spiritual progress and ethical community life. It also informs political and spiritual movements, as seen in Gandhi’s satyagraha (“truth-force”).

Term

Definition

Satya is a core moral principle in several Indian religious traditions, referring to truthfulness in speech, action, and intention.

Derived from Sanskrit, satya literally means “truth” or “that which is real”. It is a fundamental ethical principle in various Indian religions, particularly Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. More than factual correctness, satya implies alignment between thought, speech, and action, and a commitment to avoid deceiving others, even by omission.

In Jainism, satya is one of the five major vows (mahāvrata) observed by monks and laypeople. It is subordinated to ahimsā (non-violence): speaking the truth must not cause harm, and silence is preferred if the truth may inflict injury.

In Hinduism, satya is closely linked to dharma (moral order) and sat (ultimate reality). It is regarded as a foundational virtue of righteous conduct (sadācāra) and is frequently mentioned in ancient texts like the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gītā.

In Buddhism, satya underpins the concept of right speech (sammā vācā) within the Eightfold Path, which prohibits lying, slander, and harmful speech.

Across traditions, satya supports both spiritual progress and ethical community life. It also informs political and spiritual movements, as seen in Gandhi’s satyagraha (“truth-force”).