Brahma, 12 Definition(s)

One of the Arupyadhatu Devas:

A Brahma in Buddhism is the name for a type of exalted passionless deity (deva), of which there are multiple in Buddhist cosmology.

The Brahma devas (or simply Brahmas) participate in the more active joys of the first dhyana. They are also more interested in and involved with the world below than any of the higher devas, and sometimes intervene with advice and counsel.

There are at least four ways of interpreting the term Brahma. It may refer to:

1. Any of the deities of the Arupyadhatu or of the Rupadhatu
2. Any of the deities of the nine lowest worlds of the Rupadhatu, from Subhakrtsna to Brahmaparisadya.
3. Any of the deities of the three lowest worlds of the Rupadhatu
4. A Mahabrahma, one of the highest deities of preceding group.

See Abhasvara Worlds

See Brahmaloka

N (Noble practice, noble conduct) Being dwelling in the world bearing the same name and which is the loftiest worlds plane among the four worlds planes. The world of brahmas is divided up between twenty spheres of existence.

A brahma being devoid of tactile sense, he cannot develop any akusala. Thats why their sphere of existence is called "the world of the ones having a noble conduct". There are three kinds of brahmas.

The supreme deva, who convinced Buddha to teach.

Brahma is the the creator part of the supreme trinity of hinduism - Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma. He is normally not worshipped alone, but as part of the Dhattatreya, which is all the three aspects in one form.

He is said to have been born out of a lotus that grew out of the navel of Vishnu. He was given the four Vedas by Vishnu and bidden to commence the aspect of creation. To assist in this task, he created the Prajapatis, who are his ManasaPutras (wish-born-sons). They are namely: Daksha, Vasishta, Kashyapa, Bhrigu, Angirasa.

Originally he had five heads. Once when he got into an argument with Shiva as to who is more powerful, Shiva cut one of his heads off, leaving only Shiva with five heads.

According to the Satapatha Brahmana, the names of the mind-born sons of Brahma are

1. Vasishta,
2. Kashyapa,
3. Vishwamitra,
4. Jamadagni,
5. Gautama,
6. Bharadwaja
7. and Atri.

The Vayupurana adds Bhrigu as the eighth mind-born son.

Brahma is the manifestation of Brahman into the world of maya. In opposition to Brahman as the essence of creation (a spirit), Brahma takes on a form fitting with the natural world. He is often mentioned as an equal with Vishnu and Shiva.

Post-Vedic personal Creator god of the Hindu trinity (with Vishnu and Shiva). Usually represented as red in color and holding a goblet, a bow, a scepter, and the Vedas. Unlike Vishnu and Shiva, Brahma is seldom worshipped today.

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Brahmā (ब्रह्‍मा): Creator of the universe, The Hindu creator god, and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. He must not be confused with the Supreme Cosmic Spirit of Hindu philosophy Brahman.