Brahmacakra, Brahma-cakra: 7 definitions

Introduction
In Hinduism
1. Purana
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
Languages
1. Sanskrit
2. Kannada
See also

Introduction:

Brahmacakra 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Brahmachakra.

In Hinduism

Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Brahmacakra (ब्रह्मचक्र) is the first of the five divisions of the Kālacakra (wheel of time), as defined in the Śivapurāṇa 1.17. Accordingly, “The Kālacakra consists of five wheels, one being over the other: [...] (1) Sight and delusion (drṣṭi and moha) constitute the Brahmacakra [...]. Thus scholars have explained the five cakras”.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Brahmacakra (ब्रह्मचक्र) refers to a “the wheel of Brahmā” according to appendix 5 of the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV). From the earliest texts on, besides dharmacakra, the expression brahmacakra occurs: Majjhima I, Saṃyutta II, Aṅguttara II, III and V, Tsa a han and Tseng yi a han.

The Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra interprets brahmacakra it as follows: “The wheel of Brahmā bears this name because it is pure … or else because Brahmā means vast (bṛhant); now the wheel of Dharma which the Buddha turned extends to the entire world; or again because the Buddha taught the four dwellings of Brahmā (the four limitless ones) (brahmavihāra); or also because at the start, it was Brahmā, king of the gods, who invited the Buddha to turn the wheel of Dharma; or also, in order to please those who venerate the god Brahmā”.

Also, “Sometimes the Buddha said ‘wheel of Dharma’, sometimes ‘wheel of Brahmā’.—What difference is there between these two terms? They are synonyms. Nevertheless, according to some, the wheel of Brahmā refers to the four limitless ones (apramāṇa) and the wheel of Dharma to the four Truths (satya); or again, we say ‘wheel of Brahmā’ because the Path is attained by means of the four limitless ones, and ‘wheel of Dharma’ insofar as it is attained by other dharmas”.

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

Brahmacakra (ब्रह्मचक्र).—

1) The circle of the universe; Śvet. Up.

2) Name of a magical circle.

Derivable forms: brahmacakram (ब्रह्मचक्रम्).

Brahmacakra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms brahman and cakra (चक्र).

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

1) Brahmacakra (ब्रह्मचक्र):—[=brahma-cakra] [from brahma > brahman] n. ‘Brahmā’s wheel’, the circle of the universe, [Śvetāśvatara-upaniṣad]

2) [v.s. ...] Name of a [particular] magical circle, [Catalogue(s)]

[Sanskrit to German]

Brahmacakra 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.

Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Brahmacakra (ಬ್ರಹ್ಮಚಕ್ರ):—

1) [noun] the universe considered as a whole; the macrocosm.

2) [noun] a mystic circle or circles drawn by conjurers.

3) [noun] (yoga.) the central point of the gross body.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

Relevant text

Search found 8 books and stories containing Brahmacakra, Brahman-cakra, Brahmā-cakra, Brahma-cakra; (plurals include: Brahmacakras, cakras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Appendix 5 - Definition of Brahmacarya and Brahmacakra < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]

II. Why the buddha thinks highly of his ten powers < [Part 3 - Appendices to the ten powers]

Appendix 9 - The three truths of the Brāhmaṇas (brāhmaṇa-satya) < [Chapter XLI - The Eighteen Special Attributes of the Buddha]

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Rig Veda 1.165.11 < [Sukta 165]

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Chapter VI - The Path and the Saints

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Section LXXX < [Abhimanyu-badha Parva]

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Chapter 17 - The glorification of the syllable Om and the five-syllabled mantra < [Section 1 - Vidyeśvara-saṃhitā]

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