Alternative spellings of this word include Mahachitta.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Mahācitta (महाचित्त) refers to the “great mind”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 39).—Accordingly, “[The knowledge of the retribution of actions (karmavipāka-jñānabala)].—[...] [How can the mind at death, which lasts only a short time, prevail over the power of actions that extend over an entire lifetime?]—Although this mind may be very short, its power is intense. It is like fire or poison that, although small, can accomplish great things. The mind at death is so determinate and so strong that it prevails over the power of action extending over a century. This last mind is called ‘the great mind’ (mahācitta) for it has, as its urgent task, the abandoning of the body (svadeha-parityāga) and the organs Thus the man in battle (raṇa), who does not spare his life, is called a hero (śūra), and the Arhat, who gives up attachment to life, attains Arhat-hood [...]”.

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: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Mahācitta (महाचित्त):—[=mahā-citta] [from mahā > mah] [gana] sutaṃgamādi

2) Mahācittā (महाचित्ता):—[=mahā-cittā] [from mahā-citta > mahā > mah] f. Name of an Apsaras, [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

[Sanskrit to German]

Mahacitta 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: Maha, Citta.

Full-text: Mahacitti, Svadeha, Dehaparityaga, Rana.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Mahacitta, Mahācitta, Maha-citta, Mahā-citta, Mahācittā, Mahā-cittā; (plurals include: Mahacittas, Mahācittas, cittas, Mahācittās, cittās). 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)

Part 2.5 - Comparison between the pañcaśīla of the upāsaka and the aṣṭāṅgaśīla of the upavāsastha < [Section II.1 - Morality of the lay person or avadātavasana]

III.1: Benefits of the presence of the Buddhas < [Part 4 - Being born into the family of the Bodhisattvas, etc.]

II. The knowledge of the retribution of actions (karmavipāka-jñānabala) < [Part 2 - The ten powers in particular]

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Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary) (by Gyurme Dorje)

Text 7.15 (Commentary) < [Chapter 7 (text and commentary)]

Chapter 7 - Absorption of the Maṇḍala and the Secret Mantras < [Chapter 7 (text and commentary)]

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