In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Abhirūḍha (अभिरूढ) means “to mount (an elephant)”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 22, v2).—Accordingly, “In all his births, the Bodhisattva is born apparitionally.—(a) According to some, the Bodhisattva mounted on a white elephant (śveta-hastin-abhirūḍha), surrounded, venerated, respected, esteemed and served by innumerable Tuṣita gods, penetrated along with them into the belly of his mother.—(b) According to others, the Bodhisattva’s mother, possessing the concentration like a magic show caused her belly to expand inordinately; all the Bodhisattvas of the trisāhasramahāsāhasradlokadhātu, the Devas, Nāgas and Asuras were able to enter into it and come out. In this belly there is a palace and a platform. The deities set a bed there, hung banners, spread it with flowers and burned incense; all this was the result of the meritorious actions of the Bodhisattva. Next the Bodhisattva comes down and takes his place there and, by the power of his concentration, enters into the womb while staying as previously in the heaven of the Tuṣita gods”.

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: Rudha, Abhi.

Full-text: Mulika, Shveta, Shvetahastin.

Relevant text

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