In Hinduism

Shaivism (Shaiva philosophy)

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions

Lokottaramārga (लोकोत्तरमार्ग) refers to the “transcendental path”, according to the Vārāṇasīmāhātmya verse 1.116-125.—Accordingly, “[...] The gods, beginning with Brahmā, also proceed along the Laukikamārga. The God of gods, Virūpākṣa, who is established in the Lokottaramārga [i.e., mārge lokottare sthitaḥ], proceeds beyond [the institutes of] sacrifice, giving and asceticism. But those sages who are on that path, delighting in the knowledge of the self, also proceed along the Lokottaramārga, abandoning their bodies. [...]”.

context information

Shaiva (शैव, śaiva) or Shaivism (śaivism) represents a tradition of Hinduism worshiping Shiva as the supreme being. Closely related to Shaktism, Shaiva literature includes a range of scriptures, including Tantras, while the root of this tradition may be traced back to the ancient Vedas.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Lokottaramārga (लोकोत्तरमार्ग) or Anāsaravamārga refers to the “supramundane path” representing one of the two practices regarding absorptions (samāpatti), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXVIII).—“The absorptions can be practiced according to the worldly path (laukikamārga) or the supramundane path (lokottaramārga).—The supramundane path (lokottaramārga), also called pure path (anāsaravamārga), is followed by the saints (Ārya) endowed with pure wisdom, who have “seen” the four holy truths (āryasatya) and have understood the sixteen aspects (ṣodaśākāra) by reason of the four aspects of each truth. This path assures the definitive liberation of the passions and, whereas in the impure path the ascetic must enter into the preliminary concentration (sāmantaka) of the immediately higher sphere in order to be liberated from the passions of his own sphere, the saint who is following the pure path cuts the passions of his level directly without resorting to any sāmantaka whatsoever”.

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

Lokottaramārga (लोकोत्तरमार्ग) refers to the “supramundane way”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “The great vehicle (mahāyāna) is made with four wheels (cakra), namely with the means of attraction, the spokes (ara) are well fitted as the roots of good have been transformed with intention, [...] Therefore, good men (satpuruṣa), since the Bodhisatva enters on the supramundane way (lokottaramārga) after having put on the armour, he appears to many beings, performing the deeds of the Buddha (buddhakārya), even without obtaining omniscience (sarvajñāna)”.

The supramundane path (lokottaramārga) conists of the following:

1. six perfections (ṣaṭpāramitā),
2. thirty-seven dharmas which are the wings of awakening (saptatriṃśat-bodhipakṣadharma),
3. peaceful meditation (śamatha),
4. expanded vision (vipaśyana),
5. four means of attraction (saṃgrahavastu),
6. four meditaions (dhyāna),
7. four immeasurables (apramāṇa),
8. four formless states of meditation (ārūpyasamāpatti), and
9. five supernormal knowledges (abhijñā).

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: Marga, Lokuttara.

Full-text: Lokuttara, Laukikamarga, Devadeva, Ranjita, Anuranjita, Laukika, Anasaravamarga, Sattvaloka, Asattvaloka, Satyalakshana, Satpurusha, Twofold-path, Sasravamarga, Sarvajnana.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Lokottaramarga, Lokottara-marga, Lokottara-mārga, Lokottaramārga; (plurals include: Lokottaramargas, margas, mārgas, Lokottaramārgas). 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)

1. Pure path (anāsrava-mārga) and Impure path (sāsrava-mārga) < [Part 4 - Questions relating to the dhyānas]

Part 7 - Why is the Buddha called Lokavid < [Chapter IV - Explanation of the Word Bhagavat]

II. Knowledge of the aspect of the paths < [VI. Acquiring the knowledges of the paths and the aspects of the paths]

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