Mahasahasra, Mahāsāhasra, Maha-sahasra: 1 definition

Introduction:

Mahasahasra means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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)

[«previous next»] — Mahasahasra in Mahayana glossary
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Mahāsāhasra (महासाहस्र) refers to a “great thousand”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then the Bodhisattva Gaganagañja, having praised the Lord with these verses, addressed himself to the Lord: ‘[...] The Lord, having played with the supernormal knowledges, is skilled in the knowledge of ascertainment of the base of magic. The Lord, having been endowed with the understanding of observation, throughly shows the mental behavior of all living beings as he places it upon the palm of his hand. Since the Lord has been elevated above, nobody can look at the top of his head. The Lord, having been unsurpassed, became a hero in the whole system of threefold thousand great thousand worlds (trisāhasra-mahāsāhasra-lokadhātu). [...]’”.

Mahayana book cover
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.

Discover the meaning of mahasahasra in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: