In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Gosāraka (गोसारक) refers to “scaffolding”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[The eighteen āveṇika-dharmas (‘special attributes’)]— [...] (13-15). Every physical, vocal or mental action of the Buddha accompanies knowledge.—[...] The Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas do not have this privilege. First they do good in their mind and then only afterwards by means of bodily or vocal actions Sometimes even their mental action is indeterminate and is produced without accompanying knowledge. [If that is so for them], what can be said for other people? [...] See also the Bhikṣu-Arhat Madhuvāsiṣṭha who climbed onto scaffolding (gosāraka), walls (bhitti) and trees (vṛkṣa). Finally, see Pilindavatsa who insulted the Ganges and treated it as a little slave. [...]”.

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: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Gosāraka (गोसारक).—(so Mironov also, with v.l. gośălaka), m., an architectural term, according to Tibetan bcam (gduṅ; compare [Tibetan-English Dictionary] gduṅ pa, gduṅ ma): Mahāvyutpatti 5577. The surrounding terms [Page218-a+ 71] seem to refer to parts of a pillar; does this mean a cross- beam, connecting pillars?

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)

Full-text: Vatsala, Bhitti, Madhuvasishtha.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Gosaraka, Gosāraka; (plurals include: Gosarakas, Gosārakas). 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 4 - The legend of Madhuvāsiṣṭha (Madhu-Vāsiṣṭha) < [Chapter XLI - The Eighteen Special Attributes of the Buddha]

Emptiness 1-3: Inner, Outer and both Inner and Outer < [Chapter XLVIII - The Eighteen Emptinesses]

II. Detailed commentary on the list < [Part 1 - Mahāyānist list of the eighteen special attributes of the Buddha]

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