Prabhamkara, Prabhaṃkara: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Prabhamkara means something in Buddhism, Pali, 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: LokottaravādaPrabhaṃkara (प्रभंकर) or Prabhaṅkara 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. His name can also be spelled as Prabhaṃkara (प्रभंकर).
Prabhaṃkara 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.
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: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryPrabhaṃkara (प्रभंकर).—in verses (m.c.) prabhakara, once prabhāṃkara (compare Sanskrit and [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit] prabhākara, in Sanskrit said of sun and moon; = Pali pabhaṃkara, often epithet of Buddha; MIndic aṃ for āṃ), (1) light-making, light-maker: candrāditya prabhaṃkarā prabhakarā khadyotake no name Lalitavistara 120.11 (verse), the moon and sun, makers of light, O maker of light (Buddha) ! would not bow down to a firefly; prabhāṃkaro Mahāvastu i.296.11, of the moon; fig., (sarve ca te, sc. sattvāḥ, human beings…) prabhaṃkarā bhontu paraspareṇa Suvarṇabhāsottamasūtra 40.11 (verse), shall give light (i.e. help, or spiritual illumination) to one another; especially (as in Pali) epithet of Buddhas, Saddharmapuṇḍarīka 301.4; Lalitavistara 363.9; 424.2; 438.1 (pra- jñājñāna-°raḥ); Mahāvastu i.232.19 (verse; text prabhaṃkaraṃ, v.l. prabhak°, better metrical(ly); of Dīpaṃkara); ii.353.2 = iii.277.5; ii.389.5; Rāṣṭrapālaparipṛcchā 5.7; Sukhāvatīvyūha 74.1; Gaṇḍavyūha 391.26; as name of a supernatural ray emitted by Bodhisattvas, Śikṣāsamuccaya 334.1; (2) name of two former Buddhas: Mahāvastu i.136.17; iii.231.4; (3) name of two yakṣas: Mahā-Māyūrī 34; 77. Cf.niṣprabhaṃkara.
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Prabhāṃkara (प्रभांकर).—see prabhaṃkara.
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)
Ends with: Nishprabhamkara.
Full-text: Prabhakara, Nishprabhamkara, Prabhankara, Prabha.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Prabhamkara, Prabhaṃkara, Prabhāṃkara; (plurals include: Prabhamkaras, Prabhaṃkaras, Prabhāṃkaras). 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]