Maitribhavana, Maitrībhāvanā, Maitrībhāvana, Maitri-bhavana: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Maitribhavana 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)
Maitrībhāvanā (मैत्रीभावना) refers to the “contemplation of friendliness”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, as Gaganagañja said to Ratnapāṇi: “Son of good family, those sixty-four dharmas are included in one hundred twenty-eight dharmas. What are those one hundred twenty-four? [...] (13) getting rid of the three defilements is included in the contemplation of offensive things and the contemplation of friendliness (maitrībhāvanā); (14) cultivating the three gates of freedom is included in the absence of personality and the ultimate truth; (15) the absence of harshness is included in benefits and happiness; (16) no slander is included in nor creating discord and reconciliation; [...]’”.
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)
Maitrībhāvana (मैत्रीभावन) refers to “producing friendliness”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “The mind which is supported by restraint, tranquillity, non-attachment and consideration of reality, [and] is lifted up by producing friendliness, etc. (maitrībhāvana—maitryādibhāvanārūḍhaṃ) causes good influx of karma. The mind which is inflamed by the fire of passion [and] disordered by sense objects accumulates karma which shows a connection with life”.
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
Maitrībhāvanā (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 修行慈 [xiū xíng cí]: “cultivating compassion”..
2) 慈行 [cí xíng]: “compassionate practices”.
Note: maitrībhāvanā can be alternatively written as: maitrī-bhāvanā.
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)
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Search found 5 books and stories containing Maitribhavana, Maitrībhāvanā, Maitrībhāvana, Maitri-bhavana, Maitrī-bhāvanā, Maitrī-bhāvana; (plurals include: Maitribhavanas, Maitrībhāvanās, Maitrībhāvanas, bhavanas, bhāvanās, bhāvanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Taisho: Chinese Buddhist Canon
Part 138 - Maitri-bhavana-sutra < [Agama Section (Volume 1-2)]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Act 7.2: Description of the Śuddhavāsika and Brahmaloka gods < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
Jainism and Patanjali Yoga (Comparative Study) (by Deepak bagadia)
Twelve reflections (cintana-anupreksa) < [Chapter 3 - Jain Philosophy and Practice]
Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies
Chapter 24 of the Book of Zambasta < [Hualin International Journal of Buddhist Studies 5.2 (2022)]