Vajrakaya, Vajra-kaya, Vajrakāya: 4 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Yoga
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
Languages
1. Kannada
2. Nepali
See also

Introduction:

Vajrakaya 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

Yoga (school of philosophy)

Source: ORA: Amanaska (king of all yogas): A Critical Edition and Annotated Translation by Jason Birch

Vajrakāya (वज्रकाय) refers to “having a body as hard as a diamond”, according to the Śivayogadīpikā, an ancient Sanskrit text dealing with Yoga possibly corresponding to the Śivayoga quoted in Śivānanda’s Yogacintāmaṇi.—Accordingly, [while describing a sequence of Haṭhayoga practices]: “Thus, by means of this Haṭhayoga which has eight auxiliaries, those [students who are] life-long celibates obtain the Siddhis of the [best of Sages] because of their untiring practice. [...] In the seventh year, he can leave the earth and in the eighth [year], the [yogic] powers [such as minimization, etc.,] arise for him. In the ninth year, he can move in the atmosphere, travel in [all] directions and has a body [as hard as] a diamond (vajrakāya). [...]”.

context information

Yoga is originally considered a branch of Hindu philosophy (astika), but both ancient and modern Yoga combine the physical, mental and spiritual. Yoga teaches various physical techniques also known as āsanas (postures), used for various purposes (eg., meditation, contemplation, relaxation).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Vajrakāya (वज्रकाय) refers to “(one who has a) diamond body” (e.g., the Buddha), according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[Digression on a case brought against the Buddha; B. The defense].—[6. Use of a Stone Bowl].—‘The Buddha forbade the Bhikṣus to use eight kinds of bowls (pātra)’.—[...] [Question].—It is said in the sūtras: ‘The Buddha, who has a diamond body (vajrakāya), has no need of food’. Then why did he keep a bowl? [Answer].—The Buddhadharma consists of two Paths: i) the path of the Śrāvakas; ii) the path of the Buddha. In the Śrāvaka system, the Buddha conforms to human customs and needs food; in the Mahāyāna system, he resorts to skillful means (upāya) to save beings; this is why he appears to eat whereas in truth he does not eat. [...]”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Vajrakāya (ವಜ್ರಕಾಯ):—

1) [noun] a very strong body.

2) [noun] a man haviang a very strong body.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Nepali dictionary

Source: unoes: Nepali-English Dictionary

Vajrakāya (वज्रकाय):—n. very strong body; adj. strong-bodied;

context information

Nepali is the primary language of the Nepalese people counting almost 20 million native speakers. The country of Nepal is situated in the Himalaya mountain range to the north of India.

Relevant text

Search found 5 books and stories containing Vajrakaya, Vajra-kāya, Vajra-kaya, Vajrakāya; (plurals include: Vajrakayas, kāyas, kayas, Vajrakāyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 3a - The changeless vajrakaya < [B. The explanation of the kayas and wisdoms]

Part 3 - The extensive explanations of the divisions < [B. The explanation of the kayas and wisdoms]

Part 2 - How luminosity dwells within space and wisdom without adding or taking away < [B. The explanation of the kayas and wisdoms]

+ 5 more chapters / show preview

Chapter 6 - Celestial Practice < [Book 14 - Great Compassion Cycle]

Chapter 1 - Kodrakpa and students < [Book 9 - Kodrakpa and Niguma]

Chapter 3 - Guhyasamāja-tantra system of Jñānapāda < [Book 7 - The preaching of the Tantras]

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Text 11.10 (Commentary) < [Chapter 11 (Text and Commentary)]

Text 14.2 (Commentary) < [Chapter 14 (Text and Commentary)]

Text 12.7 (Commentary) < [Chapter 12 (Text and Commentary)]

+ 2 more chapters / show preview