samskara

noun

sam·​ska·​ra

səmzˈkärə,

-mˈsk-

plural -s

1

: a purificatory Hindu ceremony

2

Hinduism & Buddhism : a mental conformation or latent karmic tendency shaping one's present life

Word History

Etymology

Sanskrit saṁskāra, literally, putting together, making perfect, purifying, from sam together + karoti he makes, does

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