Asravakshaya, Āsravakṣaya, Asrava-kshaya: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Asravakshaya 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 Āsravakṣaya can be transliterated into English as Asravaksaya or Asravakshaya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

1) Āsravakṣaya (आस्रवक्षय) or Āsravakṣayajñānabala refers to one of the “ten powers” (daśabala) of the Bodhisattva, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 39. Accordingly, “by the power of the knowledge of the cessation of the impurities (āsravakṣaya-jñānabala), he distinguishes and evaluates the attaining of Nirvāṇa by beings”.

Also, “this is the power in the Buddha of the knowledge of destruction of the impurities (āsravakṣaya) and, since this knowledge is intact (avyāhata) and invincible (ajeya) in him, it is called the ‘tenth power’”.

2) Āsravakṣaya (आस्रवक्षय) or Āsravakṣayajñāna refers to the “knowledge of the destruction of the impurities” and represents one of the six “superknowledges” (abhijñā), according to chapter XLIII.—Accordingly, “the Bodhisattva-Mahāsattva who wishes to become established in the six superknowledges [viz., Āsravakṣaya] should practice the perfection of wisdom (prajñāpāramitā)”.

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

Āsravakṣaya (आस्रवक्षय) refers to “(one who has) extinguished contamination”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then the Bodhisattva Gaganagañja, having praised the Lord with these verses, addressed himself to the Lord: ‘[...] Since the Lord has obtained intrepidities, extinguished contamination (āsravakṣaya), was perfectly awakened to sameness (samatā), is skilled in the knowledge of purification without affliction, and roars the best of lions’ roar to all of the world including the gods. Since the Lord is endowed with the eighteen special qualities of the Buddha, he has the unattached knowledge of the three times (trikāla). Since the Lord has purified his body, speech, and mind, he has neither error (skhalita) nor rough speech (ravita), and sees every concentration (samāpatti) and the knowledge of liberation. [...]’”.

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 asravakshaya or asravaksaya in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Asravakshaya in Buddhism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Āsravakṣaya (आस्रवक्षय) or Āsravakṣayajñānabala refers to the “strength of knowing the destruction of the pollutants” and represents on of the ten Jñānabalas (“strength of knowledge”), as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 76). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., āsravakṣaya). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

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