Mahavajranatha, Mahāvajranātha: 1 definition
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Mahavajranatha means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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.
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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist IconographyMahāvajranātha (महावज्रनाथ) or Mahāvajranāthalokeśvara refers to number 70 of the 108 forms of Avalokiteśvara found in the Machhandar Vahal (Kathmanu, Nepal). [Machhandar or Machandar is another name for for Matsyendra.].
Accordingly,—
“Mahāvajranātha is three-faced and eight-armed, and stands on a lotus. He holds the rosary and the noose and displays the Abhaya and Varada poses in his four right hands. The three left shows the book, the Tridaṇḍi and the lotus, while the empty fourth rests near the navel”.
The names of the 108 deities [viz., Mahāvajranātha] possbily originate from a Tantra included in the Kagyur which is named “the 108 names of Avalokiteshvara”, however it is not yet certain that this is the source for the Nepali descriptions. 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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Mahavajranathalokeshvara.
Full-text: Mahavajranathalokeshvara.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahavajranatha, Mahāvajranātha; (plurals include: Mahavajranathas, Mahāvajranāthas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Indian Buddhist Iconography (by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya)