Mahasamudra, Mahāsamudra, Maha-samudra: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Mahasamudra means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, 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)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraMahāsamudra (महासमुद्र) refers to a “great sea”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 2.—Accordingly, “The Buddhadharma is a great sea (mahāsamudra); faith (śraddhā) is its entry (avatāraka), knowledge (jñāna) is its ferryman (tāraka). Evam is a synonym for faith. The person whose heart is full of pure faith (śraddhāviśuddhi) is able to enter into the Buddha’s doctrine; without faith, he cannot”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Singhi Jain Series: Ratnaprabha-suri’s Kuvalayamala-kathaMahāsamudra (महासमुद्र) or Mahāsamudranagarī is the name of a sea-port of ancient India, according to Uddyotanasūri in his 8th-century Kuvalayamālā (a Prakrit Campū, similar to Kāvya poetry).—There is a reference again to a sea-voyage undertaken by Sāgaradatta of Campā with his starting from a big sea port of south India named Mahāsamudra-nagarī Jayaśrī with its destination to Yavanadvīpa. Details about the taking off of the boat are similar to those already given. Sāgaradatta sold the goods in Yavanadvīpa and purchased from there gems and precious stones and took emerald, pearls, gold and silver as his pratibhāṃḍa of the value of seven crores. A special official of the ship is named as pañjara-puruṣa (106.6), the person who made observation from the high top of the mast. In the time of a storm the ropes and riggings were unfastened, the sails were rolled up, the goods on the ship were consigned to the hull, and the ship was brought to a standstill.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryMahāsamudra (महासमुद्र).—the great ocean.
Derivable forms: mahāsamudraḥ (महासमुद्रः).
Mahāsamudra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms mahā and samudra (समुद्र).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryMahāsamudra (महासमुद्र).—nt. or m., a high number, = ten samudra (Sanskrit): °draṃ (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 343.21, °dras 22.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMahāsamudra (महासमुद्र):—[=mahā-samudra] [from mahā > mah] m. ‘great sea’, the ocean, [Varāha-mihira]
[Sanskrit to German]
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, Samudra.
Starts with: Mahasamudrakramana, Mahasamudranagari.
Full-text (+35): Yamuna, Rinadhara, Shayitaka, Nilavahini, Tungabhadda, Vettavati, Campa, Venumati, Bhagirathi, Mangala-ganga, Nitya, Gambhira, Neranjara, Salalavati, Avattaganga, Tambapanni, Ambalavapi, Sarasvati, Candabhaga, Sarabhu.
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Search found 4 books and stories containing Mahasamudra, Mahāsamudra, Maha-samudra, Mahā-samudra; (plurals include: Mahasamudras, Mahāsamudras, samudras). 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 8 - Retaining the teachings of the Buddhas of the present < [Chapter L - Arriving at the other Shore]
II. Superiority of sypathetic joy over good action < [Part 1 - Surpassing the high qualities of the Śrāvakas]
Act 5.1: The Buddha shakes the trisāhasramahāsāhasralokadhātu in six ways < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
Chapter XVIII - On Actual Illness < [Section Two]
A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)