Anabhraka: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Anabhraka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraAnabhraka (अनभ्रक) is part of the group of Gods inhabiting the fourth dhyāna of the Rūpadhātu (or Brahmaloka): the second of the three worlds, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 32-34. The gods of the form realm (rūpadhātu), having fallen from the pure abodes (śuddhāvāsa), will again conceive sensual desire and will abide in the impure spheres.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaAnabhraka (अनभ्रक, “cloudless”) refers to one of the eighteen “gods of the form-realms” (rūpāvacaradeva) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 128). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., anabhraka). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryAnabhraka (अनभ्रक).—m., unclouded, name of the first (but omitted in Pali and the Mahāvastu lists) of the classes of rūpāvacara gods in the 4th dhyāna-bhūmi; see deva: Lalitavistara 150.8; Divyāvadāna 68.16; Avadāna-śataka i.5.3; Gaṇḍavyūha 249.12; Mahāvyutpatti 3098; Dharmasaṃgraha 128; etc.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryAnabhraka (अनभ्रक):—[=an-abhraka] [from an-abhra] m. [plural] ‘cloudless’, Name of a class of divinities, [Buddhist literature]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryAnabhraka (अनभ्रक):—[bahuvrihi compound] m. pl.
(-kāḥ) A class of Bauddha gods who reside in the first or lowest stage of the fourth sphere of the Bauddha heaven. E. a priv. and abhra, samāsānta aff. kap, literally ‘without clouds’.
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Anabhrakacakravartin, Anabhrakachakravartin.
Full-text: Anabhrakacakravartin, Rupadhatu, Rupavacaradeva, Eighteen Gods, Brhatphala Worlds, Deva.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Anabhraka, An-abhraka; (plurals include: Anabhrakas, abhrakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
I. The three concentrations (samādhi) according to the Abhidharma < [Part 2 - The three meditative stabilizations]
Act 7.1: The Buddha shows his ordinary body (prakṛtyātmabhāva) < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
Appendix 1 - Distribution of gods in the three worlds < [Chapter XXXII-XXXIV - The eight classes of supplementary dharmas]
Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary) (by Gyurme Dorje)
Text 15.6 (Commentary) < [Chapter 15 (Text and Commentary)]
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
Part 4 - The impermanence of the Vessel and Contents < [B. The extended explanation]
Abhidharmakośa (by Leo M. Pruden)
A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)