Anuttaramarga, Anuttaramārga, Anuttara-marga: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Anuttaramarga 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.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Anuttaramārga (अनुत्तरमार्ग) refers to the “best path”, according to the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi [i.e., Cakrasamvara Meditation] ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “I confess to making pleasurable intoxicants, depositing faults, completely, in front again, making the most excellent union, disciple Khaḍga Jinottama, Arhat, Buddha, capable, good, agreeable (and) awake, I bow completely, the triad, Jinaratna, etc., I am taking as much refuge, with my whole soul, bestowing awakened mind, the best path (anuttaramārga), practicing yoga in this manner. Vow being, knowledge being, observe one motion”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.

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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Anuttaramārga (अनुत्तरमार्ग) refers to the “unsurpassed path”, according to  the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 1.—Accordingly: “After this oath, he grew up. He decided to leave his parents and left home in order to cultivate the unsurpassed path (anuttaramārga). In the middle of the night, he woke up and considered the ladies of honor and the courtesans of his harem: their bodies appeared like rotting corpses He ordered Tch’ö ni (Chaṇḍaka) to saddle his white horse. At midnight he passed through the ramparts, traveled twelve miles and came to the hermitage where the Ṛṣi Po k’ie p’o (Bhārgava) lived. [...]”

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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