In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Jñānamukha (ज्ञानमुख) refers to the “gate of knowledge”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 31).—Accordingly, “[The Bodhisattva-mahāsattva practices the four foundations of mindfulness] [1. Mindfulness of body] [...] Pursuing the examination of the body, he says to himself: ‘Being without ‘I’ and without ‘mine’, this body is empty. Being empty, it does not have any male or female characteristics. Being without characteristics, it is not to be wished for’. Thinking thus, the Bodhisattva enters into the gate of knowledge (jñānamukha) called ‘wishlessness’. He knows that the body is not to be considered in the sense that it arises only from a complex of engendering causes and conditions. But these causes and conditions that produce the body also come from mistakes and errors. In these causes and conditions, the nature of cause and condition is also lacking, and the arising of causes and condtions is really a non-arising. [...]”.

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Jñānamukha (ज्ञानमुख) refers to the “gate of knowledge”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “How then, son of good family, does the Bodhisattva perform his practice of a Bodhisattva (bodhisattvacaryā) after having obtained the sameness of extinction? [...] Even though he is established in the sameness of extinction, he still does not interrupt bringing living beings to maturity. This, son of good family, is the gate of knowledge (jñānamukha) called the development of two approaches, [namely the great compassion and expedient means], of the Bodhisattvas. Even though the Bodhisattva is placed in the gate of knowledge after having obtained the sameness of extinction, he still performs the practice of a Bodhisattva. [...]”.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Mukha, Jnana.

Full-text: Mukha.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Jnanamukha, Jñānamukha, Jñāna-mukha, Jnana-mukha; (plurals include: Jnanamukhas, Jñānamukhas, mukhas). 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)

Mahāyāna auxiliaries (A): The four foundations of mindfulness < [Part 3 - The auxiliaries according to the Mahāyāna]

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