Arupyadhatu, Arupya-dhatu, Ārūpyadhātu: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Arupyadhatu 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

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Ārūpyadhātu (आरूप्यधातु) refers to the “gods of the formless realm” according to the “world of transmigration” section in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXVII).—The gods of the formless realm (ārūpyadhātu), who enjoy the absorptions (samāpatti) and are attached to them, do not understand that when their life is over they will fall back into the desire realm and will take on the form of a bird or animal.

Ārūpyadhātu, formless realm, has no abodes: it is inhabited, one might say, by formless beings belonging to four spheres: i) ākāśanantyāyatana, ii) vijñānānantyāyatana, iii) ākiṃcanyāyatana, iv) naivasaṃjñānāsaṃjñāyatana.

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

Ārūpyadhātu (आरूप्यधातु) refers to the “realm of formless”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Son of good family, there are eight purities of patience of the Bodhisattvas, which are like open space. What are these eight? (5) the purity of patience giving up any bad disposition just as open space is without all bad dispositions; 6) the purity of patience beyond mind and objective support just as open space is beyond mind and objective support; 7) the purity of patience which is not produced and does not occur just as open space is not produced and does not occur; 8) the purity of patience filled with friendliness just as open space is spread on all form and formless realms (ārūpyadhāturūpārūpyadhātu)”.

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 arupyadhatu in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Ārūpyadhātu (आरूप्यधातु) refers to the “formless realm”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while describing the Adamantine Circle (vajracakra)]: “[...] The Formless Realm (ārūpyadhātu) is thus [described]. It (the Adamantine Circle) is also proclaimed to be the pīṭha (“seat”), known to be the Joyful Level. [The pīṭha is inclusive] of, again, the pīṭha, upapīṭha (“near to the seat”), and the other [classes of holy sites]. The [entire body of the] Twelve Levels is also known to be in the middle of each individual Level. Similarly, the entire [body of the three realms] is to be known in all individual realms. [...]”.

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.

Discover the meaning of arupyadhatu in the context of Tibetan Buddhism from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Arupyadhatu in Buddhism glossary
Source: WikiPedia: Buddhism

Ārūpyadhātu (आरूप्यधातु, “formless realm”) belongs to those Devas who attained and remained in the four formless absorptions (catuḥ-samāpatti) of the arūpadhyānas in a previous life, and now enjoys the fruits (vipāka) of the good karma of that accomplishment. Bodhisattvas, however, are never born in the Ārūpyadhātu even when they have attained the arūpadhyānas.

There are four types of Ārūpyadhātu-devas, corresponding to the four types of arūpadhyānas:

  1. Naivasaṃjñānāsaṃjñāyatana or Nevasaññānāsaññāyatana,
  2. Ākiṃcanyāyatana or Ākiñcaññāyatana,
  3. Vijñānānantyāyatana or Viññāṇānañcāyatana or Viññāṇañcāyatana.
  4. Ākāśānantyāyatana or Ākāsānañcāyatana.

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