Prathamaka: 6 definitions
Introduction:
Prathamaka 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
Tibetan Buddhism (Vajrayana or tantric Buddhism)
Source: MDPI Books: The Ocean of HeroesPrathamaka (प्रथमक) refers to the “first (continent)”, 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 Heart Circle (hṛdayacakra)]: “[...] All other features [of the Yoginīs] such as [their] faces are [identical to the features of the Yoginīs] on the Adamantine Circle (i.e., one face and four arms). He should visualize [these Yoginīs copulating] with means (their consort heroes), [who] resemble the respective goddesses (their consort Yoginīs), at [their places on this circle representing] the upapīṭha. [This circle] is understood to be the Form Realm, the Stainless [Level], and the first continent (prathamaka). [...]”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryPrathamaka (प्रथमक).—a. First, foremost.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryPrathamaka (प्रथमक).—(specifying -ka, § 22.39, to Sanskrit pra-thama), the former one: Mahāvastu ii.170.15 (= purimaka id. 18).
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryPrathamaka (प्रथमक):—[from prathama] mfn. first, foremost, [Śrutabodha]
[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)
Starts with: Prathamakalpa, Prathamakalpika, Prathamakalpita, Prathamakalyana, Prathamakathita.
Full-text: Purimaka.
Relevant text
No search results for Prathamaka; (plurals include: Prathamakas) in any book or story.