In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

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. [...]”.

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

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) [...]”.

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: Maha, Mudita.

Full-text: Upeksha, Maitri, Karuna, Mudita, Mahamaitri, Mahakaruna, Mahopeksha.

Relevant text

No search results for Mahamudita, Mahāmudita, Mahā-mudita, Maha-mudita; (plurals include: Mahamuditas, Mahāmuditas, muditas) in any book or story.