Mahamudita, Mahāmudita, Maha-mudita: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Mahamudita 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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Mahāmuditā (महामुदिता) refers to “very joyful”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[Digression on a case brought against the Buddha; B. The defense].—[6. Use of a Stone Bowl].—‘The Buddha forbade the Bhikṣus to use eight kinds of bowls (pātra)’.—[...] [Question].—What is this skillful means? [Answer].—Wishing to save people, the Buddha borrows the customs of humans. If he did not do this, people would take him for a non-human (amanuṣya) and would wonder why they follow his Dharma. Moreover, there are people who find salvation in generosity (dāna); out of respect for them, the Buddha accepts their offerings of food. Then these people say: ‘The food I offer contributes to sustaining the body of the Buddha’. Their mind becomes very joyful (mahāmuditā), and as a result of this joy, they welcome the Buddha’s words with faith. [...]”.
Mahākaruṇa (महाकरुण) refers to “great happiness”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly as The Lord said: “O Śāriputra, from innumerable aeons ago (asaṃkhyeya-kalpa), the Bodhisatvas in the Mahāvyūha universe have been in accordance with the [perfection of] giving as adorned with generosity, [...] have practiced the protection of all living beings as adorned with great friendliness (mahāmaitrī), have practiced never giving up any being as adorned with great compassion (mahākaruṇa), have never ceased to make joy, happiness, and great delight of all living beings as adorned with great happiness (mahāmudita), and have been punctilious in the practice without interruption, which has made all living beings not to be conceited or depressed as adorned with great equanimity (mahopekṣa) [...]”.
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
Mahāmuditā (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 大歡喜 [dà huān xǐ]: “great joy (delight, rapture)”.
Note: mahāmuditā can be alternatively written as: mahā-muditā.
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, Mudita.
Full-text: Smitamukha, Maitri, Da huan xi, Karuna, Mudita, Upeksha, Mahamaitri, Mahakaruna, Mahopeksha, Amanushya, Lokantarika.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahamudita, Mahāmudita, Mahā-mudita, Maha-mudita, Mahāmuditā, Mahā-muditā; (plurals include: Mahamuditas, Mahāmuditas, muditas, Mahāmuditās, muditās). 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)
Chapter XLII - The Great Loving-kindness and the Great Compassion of the Buddhas
Bodhisattva quality 16: speak with a smiling face < [Chapter X - The Qualities of the Bodhisattvas]
V. Value of the Buddha fields < [Part 4 - Assuring the continuity of the Buddha universes]