Meghasvara, Meghasvarā, Megha-svara: 8 definitions
Introduction:
Meghasvara 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: LokottaravādaMeghasvara (मेघस्वर) is the name of a Buddha under whom Śākyamuni (or Gautama, ‘the historical Buddha’) acquired merit along the first through nine bhūmis, according to the Mahāvastu. There are in total ten bhūmis representing the ten stages of the Bodhisattva’s path towards enlightenment.
Meghasvara is but one among the 500 Buddhas enumerated in the Mahāvastu during a conversation between Mahākātyāyana and Mahākāśyapa, both principle disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Mahāvastu is an important text of the Lokottaravāda school of buddhism, dating from the 2nd century BCE.
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraMeghasvara (मेघस्वर) is the name of a Buddha, according to the Mañjuśrībuddhakṣetraguṇavyūha (also see Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLVII). Accordingly,—formerly—kalpas as numerous as the sands of 70 myriads of an incalculable number of Ganges—the Tathāgata Meghasvara appeared in the east, in the Anutpāda universe, separated from ours by 72 nayutas of Buddha fields. It was in the presence of this Buddha and in this universe that a religious king named Ākāśa produced the mind of enlightenment and formulated his vows and intentions in words the original of which appeared in Śikṣasamuccaya.
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the GaganagañjaparipṛcchāMeghasvara (मेघस्वर) refers to “thunderclouds”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “Then, in order to clarify this point further, the Lord went on to speak these verses: ‘(56) Never responding to the words of abuse, and never getting angry like the thundercloud (meghasvara) in the sky. With a mind purified of self, seeing absolute emptiness, in this teaching I preach patience in order to purify living beings’”.
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: archive.org: TrisastisalakapurusacaritraMeghasvarā (मेघस्वरा) is the name of a bell, as mentioned to chapter 1.2 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.
Accordingly,
“[...] Bhutānanda, the Nāga-indra, attended by the Sāmānikas and others summoned by Dakṣa, the chief of the infantry, ringing the bell Meghasvarā, ascended the car made by an Ābhiyogika-god and went to mount Meru occupied by the Lord of the Three Worlds”.
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: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryMeghasvara (मेघस्वर).—name of a former Buddha: Mahāvastu i.136.15; Lalitavistara 5.13; Mahāvyutpatti 99.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryMeghasvara (मेघस्वर):—[=megha-svara] [from megha] m. Name of two Buddhas, [Buddhist literature]
[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: Megha, Svara.
Starts with: Meghasvaradipa, Meghasvararaja.
Full-text: Meghasvararaja, Megha, Meghasvaradipa, Abhistanita, Bhutananda, Akasha.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Meghasvara, Meghasvarā, Megha-svara, Megha-svarā; (plurals include: Meghasvaras, Meghasvarās, svaras, svarās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XV - The eighth Bhūmi < [Volume I]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 1 - The legend of Mañjuśrī < [Chapter XLVII - Praises made by the Buddhas]
V. Purifying great offerings < [Part 3 - Acquiring precedence, etc.]
Trishashti Shalaka Purusha Caritra (by Helen M. Johnson)
Part 8: Birth-ceremonies presided over by Śakra < [Chapter II - Birth of Ajita and Sagara]
Part 4: Birth ceremonies of Ṛṣabha < [Chapter II]
A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)