Ashtamaka, Aṣṭamaka: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Ashtamaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Aṣṭamaka can be transliterated into English as Astamaka or Ashtamaka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraAṣṭamaka (अष्टमक) or Aṣṭamakabhūmi refers to “ground of the eighth saint or of the aspirant srotaāpanna.” and represents one of the ten grounds (bhūmi) shared by adepts of the three vehicles according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 52.—Aṣṭamaka-bhūmi (brgyad paḥi sa, pa jen or ti pa) is one of the ten grounds shared by adepts of the three Vehicles (sādhāraṇabhūmi). [In the course of this ground, the Śrāvaka] goes from duḥkhe dharmajñānakṣānti to mārge ’nvayajñānakṣānti: these are the first fifteen moments of mind [of the Satyadarśanamārga, or Path of seeing the truths.—For the Bodhisattva, it is the definitive obtaining of the conviction that dharmas do not arise (anutpattikadharmakṣānti) and entry into the definitive position of Bodhisattva (bodhisattvaniyāma). [This result is attained in the course of or at the end of the 7th ground proper, the Dūraṃgamā].
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryAṣṭamaka (अष्टमक).—a. The eighth; योंऽशमष्टमकं हरेत् (yoṃ'śamaṣṭamakaṃ haret) Y.2.244.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryAṣṭamaka (अष्टमक).—(1) adj. or subst. m. (= Pali aṭṭhamaka, see Critical Pali Dictionary s.v.), one who is in the eighth (and lowest) stage of (Hīnayāna) religious development, = srotaāpanna- phala-pratipannaka (Dharmasaṃgraha 102; for the Pali see Childers, cited s.v. śaikṣa): Mahāvastu i.120.9 (prose) aṣṭamake dhutavedanāgṛddhā bhāvanān (so with all mss.; or read °nām; Senart em. °nā) uttrasanti, said of backsliding Bodhisattvas, being eager for the sensations which are (or should be) destroyed (even) in a person in the lowest stage of religious development, they shrink from self-cultivation (bhāvanā); Senart fails to understand; Mahāvastu i.159.8 aṣṭama- kādikā pudgalā yāvad arhatpudgalā (mss. puṃgalā both times), from the srotāpanna to the arhat; aṣṭamaka-bhūmi, here the third of the (seven) bhūmi of a śrāvaka, Mahāvyutpatti 1143; Śatasāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā 1473.12 et alibi, see bhūmi 4; aṣṭamaka- dharma, the conditions (or religious principles) of a person in this stage, Śatasāhasrikā-prajñāpāramitā 1555.11; (2) m., name of the king otherwise called Aṣṭaka, q.v.: Mahāvastu iii.364.7; 365.18; 366.7; 373.23; (3) name of a nāga king: Mahā-Māyūrī 246.22; (4) name of a maharṣi: Mahā-Māyūrī 256.13.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṣṭamaka (अष्टमक).—[aṣṭama + ka], adj. Eighth, [Yājñavalkya, (ed. Stenzler.)] 2, 244.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryAṣṭamaka (अष्टमक):—[from aṣṭan] mfn. the eighth, [Yājñavalkya ii, 244]
[Sanskrit to German]
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Ashtamakalika.
Full-text: Ashtaka, Ashtamika, Aryapungala, Sadharanabhumi, Bhumi.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Ashtamaka, Aṣṭamaka, Astamaka; (plurals include: Ashtamakas, Aṣṭamakas, Astamakas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Note (3). The ten grounds shared by adepts of the three vehicles < [Chapter XX - (2nd series): Setting out on the Mahāyāna]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XII - The fifth Bhūmi < [Volume I]
Chapter XXXIV - The story of Śarabhaṅga < [Volume III]