Anatmalakshana, Anātmalakṣaṇa, Anatma-lakshana: 1 definition

Introduction:

Anatmalakshana 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 Anātmalakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Anatmalaksana or Anatmalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Anātmalakṣaṇa (अनात्मलक्षण) refers to the “nature of Anātman”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[Digression on a case brought against the Buddha; B. The defense].—[8. Simultaneous Teaching of the Self and the Non-self].—In some places the Buddha says that the ātman exists and in other places he says that it does not exist.—[...] The partisans of Anātman (anātmavādin) are of two kinds: i) those who grasp (udgṛhṇanti) at the nature of Anātman (anātmalakṣaṇa) and cling to the Anātman; ii) those who destroy the Ātman without, however, grasping at the Anātman or clinging to it so that the Anātman disappears by itself (svataḥ). For the first, the anātman is an extreme (anata); for the second, the anātman is the Middle Way. [...]”.

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.

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