In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Mahāsaṃnaha (महासंनह) refers to the “great armor”, as mentioned in the Viśeṣacinti-brahma-paripṛcchā-sūtra, according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLIII.—The Prajñāpāramitā (cf. Pañcaviṃśati, Śatasāhasrikā) dedicates an entire section to the Great Armor (mahāsaṃnaha). The Bodhisattva, it explains, puts on the great armor when he decides to fulfill the six pāramitās, not for a limited number of beings but for all beings without exception, and this for the purpose of introducing them into the perfections and leading them to supreme compete enlightenment. He practices the six perfections without objectifying them or seizing them.

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

Mahāsaṃnāha (महासंनाह) refers to “great armour” (i.e., ‘the Bodhisattva being armed with the great armour’), according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly: “The Bodhisattva established on the pure path produces the great light of the dharma for the sake of living beings who are on the wrong path. Then those living beings, having attained the light, are also established in the true supramundane path. [...] Since those are the pure supramundane path of the Bodhisattvas, son of good family, having been established in this pure path, the Bodhisattva, being armed with the great armour (mahāsaṃnāha), rides in this great vehicle (mahāyāna) and proceeds to the place of awakening (bodhimaṇḍ). [...]

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, Samnaha, Sannaha.

Full-text: Mayapurusha.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahasamnaha, Mahāsaṃnaha, Maha-samnaha, Mahā-saṃnaha; (plurals include: Mahasamnahas, Mahāsaṃnahas, samnahas, saṃnahas). 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)

Appendix 2 - The great armour (mahāsaṃnaha) < [Chapter XLIII - The Pursuit of the Six superknowledges]

show preview