Asubhasanna, Asubhasaññā, Asubha-sanna: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Asubhasanna 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)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraAsubhasaññā (असुभसञ्ञा) in Pali and Aśubhasaṃjñā or simply Aśubhā in Sanskrit refers to “nine horrible notions”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 35. Aśubha (Sanskrit) or Asubha (Pali) is a complex entity since it concerns the various stages of decomposition of the corpse.
The Abhidhamma, its commentaries and related treatises fix the number of asubhasaññās at ten and cite them in the following order:
- bloated corpse (uddhumātaka),
- bluish (vinīlaka),
- rotten (vipubbaka),
- torn apart (vicchiddaka),
- devoured (vikkhhāyitaka),
- scattered (vikkhittaka),
- chopped up and scattered (hatavikkhittaka),
- bloody (lohitaka),
- infested with worms (puḷuvaka),
- reduced to bone (aṭṭhika).
These terms are cited and commented upon in the Dhammasaṅgani, Atthasālinī, Visuddhimagga and the Vimuttimagga. The Visuddhimagga deals at great length with the manner of practicing the first asubhabhāvana.
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
Pali-English dictionary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryAsubhasaññā refers to: idea of impurity D. III, 253, 283, 289, 291.
Note: asubhasaññā is a Pali compound consisting of the words asubha and saññā.
Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Sanna, Ashubha.
Full-text: Uddhumataka, Vinilaka, Giri Sutta, Ashubha, Vipubbaka, Hatavikkhittaka, Lohitaka, Vikkhhayitaka, Vikkhittaka, Vicchiddaka, Puluvaka, Atthika, Ashubhasamjna, Shubha, Samjna.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Asubhasanna, Asubhasaññā, Asubha-sanna, Asubha-saññā; (plurals include: Asubhasannas, Asubhasaññās, sannas, saññās). 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)
II. The ten Asubhasaññā in the pāli Abhidhamma < [Preliminary note on the nine horrible notions (navāśubhasaṃjñā)]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Chapter 12 - Yasa, Son of a Rich Merchant, becoming a Bhikkhu < [Volume 2.2]
Sakka’s Question (12): On the Restraint of the Faculties (indriya-saṃvara-sīla) < [Chapter 39 - How the Āṭānāṭiya Paritta came to be Taught]
Notes (e): How Many types of Morality are there? < [Chapter 6 - On Pāramitā]