Alternative spellings of this word include Maitrachitta.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Australian National University's Open Research repository: Kṣānti in the bodhisattva path of Śāntideva

Maitracitta (मैत्रचित्त) refers to a “benevolent mind”, according to the Bodhicaryāvatārapañjikā chapter 6.—Accordingly, “If should I retaliate towards those who strike with sticks and the like, nevertheless they are not protected. No remedy whatsoever would be achieved for them in regard to going to the hells etc. On the contrary, I must not strike back even when struck. Thus, I should not disturb my benevolent mind (maitracitta) towards all beings. Finally, a hostile thought (pratighacitta) should not be produced even towards a burnt tree stump. From such beginnings, there would be the very abandonment of my Bodhisattva course of conduct. [...]”.

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Maitracitta (मैत्रचित्त) refers to “having charity at heart”, according to the 2nd-century Meghasūtra (“Cloud Sutra”) in those passages which contain ritual instructions.—Accordingly, “[...] Whoso hath the head purified, be they Bhikṣu or Bhikṣuṇī, Upāsaka or Upāsikā, let him, clothed in pure rainment with charity at heart (maitracitta), write these names of Tathāgatas, and put them on a seat, and then throw into the air a spoonful of seven odours. Let him repeat the names of Tathāgatas five times severally. He must do great service, and continue in case of drought for seven days; [then] the deva will rain”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Maitracitta (मैत्रचित्त).—benevolence.

Derivable forms: maitracittam (मैत्रचित्तम्).

Maitracitta is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms maitra and citta (चित्त).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Maitracitta (मैत्रचित्त):—[=maitra-citta] [from maitra] n. benevolence, [Kāraṇḍa-vyūha]

2) [v.s. ...] mfn. benevolent, kind, [Lalita-vistara]

[Sanskrit to German]

Maitracitta in German

context information

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: Maitra, Citta.

Full-text: Pratighata, Pratighacitta.

Relevant text

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