Acitta: 11 definitions
Introduction:
Acitta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Achitta.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāAcitta (अचित्त) refers to “non-thought”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then, the Lord went on to speak these verses: ‘[...] (63) Strive for awakening (bodhi) freed from false view (darśana), and for essential nature (svabhāva) which is like an illusion (māya) and mirage (marīci). Strive to attain non-thought (acitta), even though the thought does not exist in reality, and to teach unchanging dharmas.. [...]’”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: archive.org: Jaina YogaAcitta (अचित्त) refers to “inanimate objects” (e.g., gold, silver), and represents classification of things that can be stolen (steya, caurya), according to Umāsvāti’s Śrāvaka-prajñapti 265 and Haribhadra’s commentary on the Āvaśyaka-sūtra p. 822b. It is related to the Asteya-vrata (vow of not stealing).
Source: Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 2: the Category of the livingAcitta (अचित्त, “non living beings”) refers to a category of yoni (nuclei), according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 2.32.—The place of birth of a living being is called nucleus (nuclei is the plural). The nucleus is like a container. There are nine nuclei (yoni), eg., acitta. What is the meaning of living and non living nuclei? Living nucleus means nucleus which has life in it and non living nuclei are the nuclei which is just matter and does not have life in it.
The living nucleus (sacitta) is of the living beings with common body (sādhāraṇa); the non living nuclei (acitta) is for two to four sensed living beings with maimed senses and the mixed nuclei is for living beings born out of the womb /uterus.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAcitta (अचित्त).—a.
1) Inconceivable.
2) [nāsti cittaṃ yasya] Destitute of intellect, senseless, stupid.
3) Unnoticed, unexpected, not thought of.
4) Without consciousness, inanimate, nonsentient. P.IV.2.47.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English DictionaryAcitta (अचित्त).—[adjective] unconceived, inconceivable.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary1) Acitta (अचित्त):—[=a-citta] [from a-cit] mfn. unnoticed, unexpected
2) [v.s. ...] not an object of thought
3) [v.s. ...] inconceivable, [Ṛg-veda]
4) [v.s. ...] destitute of intellect or sense.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryAcitta (अचित्त):—m. f. n.
(-ttaḥ-ttā-ttam) I. [tatpurusha compound]
1) Not thought, inconceivable.
2) Unperceived, not expected. E. a neg. and citta (thought). Ii. [bahuvrihi compound] Without intellect, insensible, inanimate. E. a priv. and citta (intellect).
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)Acitta (अचित्त) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Acitta.
[Sanskrit to German]
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 dictionaryAcitta (अचित्त) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Acitta.
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: Acittadeva, Acittadharma, Acittamanas, Acittapajas.
Ends with (+191): Abhihatacitta, Abhiniveshacitta, Acalitacitta, Acchidracitta, Adantacitta, Adbhutacitta, Adhyatmacitta, Adutthacitta, Aklishtacitta, Akusala Vipakacitta, Akushalacitta, Akutilacitta, Alinacitta, Amgacitta, Amodacitta, Amtahkalushacitta, Anagatacitta, Ananyacitta, Anavalinacitta, Anavasthitacitta.
Full-text: Acittamanas, Acittapajas, Kalingarakanda, Cittaka, Bhanga Khana, Uppada Khana, Acittadharma, Marici, Manodvaravajjana Citta, Vinnana, Moha, Yoni, Citta, Sacitta, Ekaggata, Dharma, Sankhara.
Relevant text
Search found 26 books and stories containing Acitta, A-citta; (plurals include: Acittas, cittas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Rig Veda (translation and commentary) (by H. H. Wilson)
Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary) (by Vijay K. Jain)
Verse 2.32 - The kinds of seats-of-birth (yoni) < [Chapter 2 - Category of the Living]
Abhidhamma And Practice (by Nina van Gorkom)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 7 - The nature of the mind (citta, manas) < [Chapter XXXI - The Thirty-seven Auxiliaries to Enlightenment]
III.2: Subjective nature of the appearance of the Buddhas < [Part 4 - Being born into the family of the Bodhisattvas, etc.]
Part 2 - Enduring outer and inner sufferings and the afflictions < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]
Sutrakritanga (English translation) (by Hermann Jacobi)
Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Nina Van Gorkom)