In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Ātmavadha (आत्मवध, “suicide”) according to appendix 3 of the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XX). As the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra comments here, suicide (ātmavadha), which harms no one else, is not a sin since sin consists of harming others, just as merit consists of doing good to others. But although suicide itself is not to be condemned, that does not mean that it should be recommended to all. A reasonable action in some, in others it can be madness.

Note: Among successful suicides (ātmavadha), we may cite that of the Buddhas who turned the wheel of Dharma and converted disciples, that of pratyekabuddhas who judged the time had come to enter into nirvāṇa, that of arhats who destroyed their passions and “did what had to be done” (kṛtakṛtya); finally, that of bodhisattvas who sacrificed their lives in honor of the Buddha or for the good of creatures. Thus, Śākyamuni, having decided to die, spontaneously renounced his life force (āyusaṅhkhāraṃ assaji: Digha, II, p. 106).

Note: Suicide (ātmavadha) seems to be reserved for very saintly and very virtuous people; others would do best to abstain. Often, the untimely attempt at suicide fails, not without, however, assuring the hopeless one of considerable spiritual benefits. Sihā, hopeless at not progressing on the spiritual path, wished to hang herself; hardly had she knotted the cord around her neck than she attained arhathood; the cord loosened from her neck and fell to the ground (Therīgathā, v. 77–81).

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ātmavadha (आत्मवध).—suicide.

Derivable forms: ātmavadhaḥ (आत्मवधः).

Ātmavadha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ātman and vadha (वध). See also (synonyms): ātmavadhyā, ātmahatyā.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Benfey Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ātmavadha (आत्मवध).—m. suicide, Mahābhārata 1, 6228.

Ātmavadha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ātman and vadha (वध).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Cappeller Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ātmavadha (आत्मवध).—[masculine] vadhyā [feminine] suicide.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ātmavadha (आत्मवध):—[=ātma-vadha] [from ātma > ātman] m. suicide, [Mahābhārata i, 6228.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Atmavadha in German

context information

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)

Partial matches: Vadha, Atman.

Ends with: Svatmavadha.

Full-text: Atmavatam, Avadha, Atmavadhya, Atmahatya.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Atmavadha, Ātmavadha, Atman-vadha, Ātman-vadha, Atma-vadha, Ātma-vadha; (plurals include: Atmavadhas, Ātmavadhas, vadhas). 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)

Appendix 3 - Suicide in Buddhism (ātmavadha) < [Chapter XX - The Virtue of Generosity and Generosity of the Dharma]

2. Debate with the Personalist < [Part 13 - Non-existence of the donor]

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