Ashtabodhisattva, Aṣṭabodhisattva, Ashta-bodhisattva: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Ashtabodhisattva 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 Aṣṭabodhisattva can be transliterated into English as Astabodhisattva or Ashtabodhisattva, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Tibetan Buddhist Teachers, Deities and other Spiritual beingsAṣṭabodhisattva (अष्टबोधिसत्त्व) is another name for Aṣṭamahābodhisattva (“eight great Bodhisattvas”) representing the “main Bodhisattvas in the retinue of Buddha Śākyamuni” and forms part of the “Forty-two Peaceful Deities” (Tibetan: zhi ba'i lha zhe gnyis) according to various sources such as the Guhyagarbha Tantra and the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaAṣṭabodhisattva (अष्टबोधिसत्त्व) refers to the “eight Bodhisattvas” or “eight close sons” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 12):
- Maitreya,
- Gaganagañja,
- Samantabhadra,
- Vajrapāṇī,
- Mañjuśrī,
- Sarvanivaraṇaviṣkambhī,
- Kṣitigarbha,
- Khagarbha.
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., aṣṭa-bodhisattva). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ashta, Bodhisattva.
Full-text: Sarvanivaranavishkambhin, Maitreya, Khagarbha, Samantabhadra, Manjushri, Vajrapani, Kshitigarbha, Gaganaganja, Eight Bodhisattvas.
Relevant text
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