The Sanskrit term Madhyaśīla can be transliterated into English as Madhyasila or Madhyashila, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Madhyaśīla (मध्यशील) refers to “middling morality” and represents one of the three kinds of morality (śīla) according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXI). Accordingly, “by means of lower morality (hīna-śīla), one is reborn among humans (manuṣya); by middling morality (madhya-śīla), one is reborn among the six classes of gods of the desire realm (kāmadhātu-deva); by superior (praṇīta-śīla) morality, one courses through the four dhyānas and the four absorptions of emptiness (śūnya-samāpatti) and one is reborn among the pure gods (śuddhāvāsa-deva) of the form realm (rūpa-dhātu) and the formless realm (ārūpya-dhātu).”

Note: “Middling” is the morality that seeks to gather reward for good actions (puññaphalakāmatā), worldly (lokiya) morality, the morality that is aimed at individual liberation. (also see Visuddhimagga, p. 13)

context information

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Shila, Madhya, Cila.

Full-text: Hinashila, Pranitashila, Shila.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Madhyashila, Madhyaśīla, Madhya-shila, Madhya-śīla, Madhyasila, Madhya-sila; (plurals include: Madhyashilas, Madhyaśīlas, shilas, śīlas, Madhyasilas, silas). 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)

Part 2 - Various kinds of morality < [Chapter XXI - Discipline or Morality]

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