Alternative spellings of this word include Achintiya.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Acintiya (अचिन्तिय) refers to “inconceivable”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “[...] The Bodhisattva Gaganagañja then sustained the jewel-canopy of ten thousand yojanas high over the Lord’s lion throne in the sky, joined the palms of his hands, saluted, and praised the Lord with these suitable verses: ‘[...] (11) You have practiced in order to seek awakening (bodhi) by the power and effort of vigour (vīryabala) during inconceivable (acintiya) hundred koṭis of kalpas (kalpa-koṭīśata). But you still attained awakening characterized by practice without effort, and that is how you have obtained the aim (artha) of practice. [...]”.

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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Acintiya (अचिन्तिय).—adj. (= Pali id., Sanskrit acintya), unthinkable: examples § 3.103. Once written acintia: dāna-acintia- tyāga-mukhena Śikṣāsamuccaya 328.2 (verse; wrongly divided in ed.), by means of inconceivable giving of gifts.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

Aciṃtiya (अचिंतिय) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Acintita.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Acintiyam.

Full-text: Acintia, Acintita, Acintiyam, Acintika, Kotishata, Bodhi, Viryabala.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Acintiya, Acimtiya, Aciṃtiya; (plurals include: Acintiyas, Acimtiyas, Aciṃtiyas). 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)

Appendix 1 - The legend of Mañjuśrī < [Chapter XLVII - Praises made by the Buddhas]

show preview