Atmasharana, Ātmaśaraṇa, Atma-sharana: 1 definition

Introduction:

Atmasharana 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 Ātmaśaraṇa can be transliterated into English as Atmasarana or Atmasharana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Ātmaśaraṇa (आत्मशरण) refers to “(being) one’s own refuge”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 3).—Accordingly, “The Buddha said to Ānanda: ‘Henceforth after my departure, you yourself will be your own refuge (ātmaśaraṇa), the Dharma will be your refuge (dharmaśaraṇa), and you will have no other refuge (ananyaśaraṇa). How, O Bhikṣu, will you be your own refuge, how will the Dharma be your refuge, and how will you have no other refuge? The Bhikṣu considers his own body; he always dedicates to it his full attention (ekacitta), his wisdom (prajñā), his zeal (prayatna), his energy (vīrya) and he rejects the worldly desires and resulting dissatisfactions. In the same way, he considers the body of another, then his own body and that of another at the same time. [...]’.”.

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.

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