Akushalacitta, Akuśalacitta, Akushala-citta: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Akushalacitta means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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.

The Sanskrit term Akuśalacitta can be transliterated into English as Akusalacitta or Akushalacitta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

Alternative spellings of this word include Akushalachitta.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Akushalacitta in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Akuśalacitta (अकुशलचित्त) refers to a “bad mind”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 39).—Accordingly, “[The knowledge of the retribution of actions (karmavipāka-jñānabala)].—[...] According to the Karmavibhaṅgasūtra: ‘[It may also happen] that a man who has done a good deed takes rebirth in a bad place. If the good action done by the honest man during the present lifetime has not yet ripened and if a bad deed done by him during an earlier lifetime is already ripe, then, for that reason and although he is doing good actions presently, he is reborn in a bad place. Or also if, at the moment of his death, a bad mind (akuśalacitta) and bad mental events arise in him, then, for that reason he takes rebirth in a bad place. [...]’”.

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

Akuśalacitta (अकुशलचित्त) refers to “bad thought”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly: “The Bodhisattva established on the pure path produces the great light of the dharma for the sake of living beings who are on the wrong path. Then those living beings, having attained the light, are also established in the true supramundane path. (1) This path is the most excellent since it is for the sake of the obtainment of the place of awakening; (2) this path is excellent since it is without any bad thought (akuśalacitta); (3) this path is the best since it is to attain the summit for the sake of the knowledge of the Buddha; [...]

Mahayana book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of akushalacitta or akusalacitta in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

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