Mahavajrasattva, Mahāvajrasattva: 1 definition
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Mahavajrasattva 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.
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Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: archive.org: The Indian Buddhist IconographyMahāvajrasattva (महावज्रसत्त्व) or Mahāvajrasattvalokeśvara refers to number 29 of the 108 forms of Avalokiteśvara found in the Machhandar Vahal (Kathmanu, Nepal). [Machhandar or Machandar is another name for for Matsyendra.].
Accordingly,—
“Mahāvajrasattva is one-faced and eight-armed, and sits in the Vajraparyaṅka attitude on a lotus. His four right hands exhibit the sword, the rosary, the Cakra and the Abhaya pose, while his four left hold the noose, the Tridaṇḍī, the conch and the bowl of gems on his lap”.
The names of the 108 deities [viz., Mahāvajrasattva] possbily originate from a Tantra included in the Kagyur which is named “the 108 names of Avalokiteshvara”, however it is not yet certain that this is the source for the Nepali descriptions. Tibetan Buddhism includes schools such as Nyingma, Kadampa, Kagyu and Gelug. Their primary canon of literature is divided in two broad categories: The Kangyur, which consists of Buddha’s words, and the Tengyur, which includes commentaries from various sources. Esotericism and tantra techniques (vajrayāna) are collected indepently.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Mahavajrasattvalokeshvara.
Full-text: Mahavajrasattvalokeshvara.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahavajrasattva, Mahāvajrasattva; (plurals include: Mahavajrasattvas, Mahāvajrasattvas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Indian Buddhist Iconography (by Benoytosh Bhattachacharyya)