Adhicitta, Adhi-citta: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Adhicitta 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Adhichitta.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāAdhicitta (अधिचित्त) refers to the “highest thought”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as the Lord said to Brahmā Prabhāvyūha: “[...] (15) Further, ‘the root of good’ is training in the highest morality, ‘merit’ is training in the highest thought (adhicitta), and ‘knowledge’ is to practice the highest insight. (16) Further, ‘the root of good’ is to confess all sins, ‘merit’ is to take pleasure in all merits, and ‘knowledge’ is to request [teachings from] all Buddhas.. [...]”.
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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaAdhicitta (अधिचित्त) or Adhicittaśikṣā refers to “training in the higher mind” and represents one of the “three trainings” (śikṣā) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 140). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., adhicitta). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryadhicitta : (nt.) 1. higher thought; 2. concentration of mind.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAdhicitta, (nt.) (adhi + citta) “higher thought”, meditation, contemplation, usually in combn. with adhisīla and adhipaññā Vin.I, 70; D.III, 219; M.I, 451; A.I, 254, 256; Nd1 39 = Nd2 689 (°sikkhā); Dh.185 (= aṭṭha-samāpattisaṅkhāta adhika-citta DhA.III, 238). (Page 28)
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryAdhicitta (अधिचित्त).—nt. (Pali id.), superior mind, intellect; also adj., and °cittaṃ, °citte, adv., relating to intellect; see s.v. śikṣā.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Adhicitta Sikkha, Adhicitta Sutta, Adhicittashiksha.
Ends with: Samadhicitta.
Full-text: Adhicittashiksha, Shiksha, Higher Mind Training, Adhishila, Adhishilashiksha, Adhikalam, Shravanya, Sikkha, Trishiksha, Threefold Training, Vaipakya, Three Trainings, Vajjiputtaka Sutta, Citta, Adhipanna, Upakkilesa, Panna Sutta, Panna.
Relevant text
Search found 13 books and stories containing Adhicitta, Adhi-citta; (plurals include: Adhicittas, cittas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules) (by I. B. Horner)
Buddha Desana (by Sayadaw U Pannadipa)
Chapter 1 - The Perfectly Enlightened One < [Part II - The Buddha]
Dhamma for Everyone (by Ajaan Lee)
Philosophy of language in the Five Nikayas (by K.T.S. Sarao)
12.6. The Five Methods for Removing Unwholesome Thoughts < [Chapter 4 - Philosophy of Language in the Five Nikāyas]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Part 2 - The two forms of Pāṭimokkha < [Chapter 16 - The arrival of Upatissa and Kolita]
Venerable Ānanda and the First Council < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Part 6e - Reflective Knowledge (Paccavekkhana Ñāṇa) < [Chapter 7 - On Miscellany]
Buddha-nature (as Depicted in the Lankavatara-sutra) (by Nguyen Dac Sy)
3. Sudden Enlightenment < [Chapter 5 - The Practice of Buddha-Nature in the Laṅkāvatārasūtra]