Phatkara, Phaṭkāra, Phat-kara: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Phatkara 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.

In Buddhism

Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)

Source: OSU Press: Cakrasamvara Samadhi

Phaṭkāra (फट्कार) refers to the “letter Phaṭ”, according to the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi [i.e., Cakrasamvara Meditation] ritual often performed in combination with the Cakrasaṃvara Samādhi, which refers to the primary pūjā and sādhanā practice of Newah Mahāyāna-Vajrayāna Buddhists in Nepal.—Accordingly, “In the Mandala, an obscured Himalaya, abiding seated in lotus posture, [..] making many triple-dark demons, world protectors, destroying all fear, with a tiger skin garment, doing wrong, overcoming wrong, firm, deep, the letters Hūṃ, Phaṭ [e.g., phaṭkāra], or the letters Hāṃ Hāṃ, filling up the entire sky, [...] a helper for crossing over together, the dreadful wilderness of saṃsāra, routing Māra, Śrī Vajrasattva, homage”.

Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of Heroes

Phaṭkāra (फट्कार) refers to “the letter phaṭ”, according to the 10th-century Ḍākārṇava-tantra: one of the last Tibetan Tantric scriptures belonging to the Buddhist Saṃvara tradition consisting of 51 chapters.—Accordingly, [while describing the Merit Circle (guṇacakra)]: “[...]  [The Yoginīs’] mantras, [which involve] recitations of [their] individual names, are stated to begin with the letter oṃ. The letters hūṃ hūṃ phaṭ [e.g., phaṭkāra] are [recited] exactly at the end. He should make [mantras of all Yoginīs] on all circles [in this manner] [...]”.

Tibetan Buddhism book cover
context information

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.

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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Phaṭkāra (फट्कार) refers to the “syllable phaṭ”, 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 teaches the offering of the root spell], “[...] The mantra should be called to mind. One should utter ‘phaṭ’ [e.g., phaṭkāra] wrathfully. After uttering ‘phaṭ’ [e.g., phaṭkāra] three times, the Nāgas fall down with their faces downwards. The bodies of the Nāgas crumble to small pieces and fall onto the ground. [...]”.

Mahayana book cover
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.

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