Mahavarsha, Mahāvarṣa, Maha-varsha: 1 definition
Introduction:
Mahavarsha 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.
The Sanskrit term Mahāvarṣa can be transliterated into English as Mahavarsa or Mahavarsha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureMahāvarṣa (महावर्ष) refers to “great rain (showers)” (as the result of an offering ceremony), according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly [as the Bhagavān taught the detailed offering-manual], “Pills should be made of pungent mustard seed oil, honey, oleander-flower, nāgapuṣpa and powder. Then the pills should be thrown into the Nāga lake. After the mantra has been recited 108 times, and merely upon throwing [pills] into the lake, all Nāgas rejoice. They send forth great rain showers (mahāvarṣa-dhāra). If it does not rain on the same day, the bodies of those Nāgas will be destroyed. They will have head diseases, there will be suffering for them”.
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: Varsha, Maha.
Starts with: Mahavarshadhara.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Mahavarsha, Mahāvarṣa, Mahā-varṣa, Maha-varsha, Mahavarsa, Maha-varsa; (plurals include: Mahavarshas, Mahāvarṣas, varṣas, varshas, Mahavarsas, varsas). 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 - Kalpa and Mahākalpa < [Chapter XLVI - Venerating with the Roots of Good]
Part 8 - Retaining the teachings of the Buddhas of the present < [Chapter L - Arriving at the other Shore]
II. Do the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas fulfill wishes without exception? < [Part 2 - Fulfilling the wishes of all beings]