Mahavajra, Maha-vajra, Mahāvajra: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Mahavajra 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 Hinduism
Vastushastra (architecture)
Source: Wisdom Library: Vāstu-śāstraMahāvajra (महावज्र) refers to a type of temple (prāsāda) classified, according to Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra chapter 57. The temple is mentioned as one of the twenty temples being a favorite of Viṣṇu. The Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra is an 11th-century encyclopedia dealing with various topics from the Vāstuśāstra.
Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara SamadhiMahāvajra (महावज्र) refers to the “great vajra”, according to the Guru Mandala Worship (maṇḍalārcana) ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “Oṃ homage to the fierce Vajrapāṇi, great vajra-anger (mahāvajra-krodha), a Bhairava, With gigantic fangs, grasping in hand a sword, club, ax and noose”.
Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of HeroesMahāvajra (महावज्र) refers to “greatly adamantine”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while describing the Heart Circle (hṛdayacakra)]: “[...] Then, he should discern Leader [Herukas on the first circle]. [...] Those twelve are greatly adamantine (mahāvajra) Herukas, [who are] not [taught] in any other Tantras. Their outer appearance is in accordance with [that of] Heruka in union with the triple wheel. A wise man should understand the colors [of their bodies as identical to the colors] of their respective circles. [...]”.
Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureMahāvajra (महावज्र) refers to the “great Vajra (flame)” [i.e., mahāvajrajvālāya svāhā], [as mentioned in the Vajra-beak dhāraṇī taught by the Garuḍa-king], according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.
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)
Starts with: Mahavajradhatu, Mahavajradhatulokeshvara, Mahavajradhriglokeshvara, Mahavajradhrik, Mahavajraheruka, Mahavajraka, Mahavajrakrodha, Mahavajrakrodhantashcara, Mahavajranatha, Mahavajranathalokeshvara, Mahavajrapani, Mahavajrapanilokeshvara, Mahavajrapitha, Mahavajraraja, Mahavajrarajakalpa, Mahavajrasattva, Mahavajrasattvalokeshvara.
Full-text: Mahavajrapitha, Shuci.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Mahavajra, Maha-vajra, Mahā-vajra, Mahāvajra; (plurals include: Mahavajras, vajras, Mahāvajras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vastu-shastra (5): Temple Architecture (by D. N. Shukla)
Brihad Bhagavatamrita (commentary) (by Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktivedānta Nārāyana Gosvāmī Mahārāja)
Verse 1.6.65 < [Chapter 6 - Priyatama (the most beloved devotees)]
The Practice Manual of Noble Tārā Kurukullā (by Dharmachakra Translation Committee)
Chapter 2 < [Appendix - Sanskrit Text]