Ratnadravya, Ratna-dravya: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Ratnadravya 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)
Ratnadravya (रत्नद्रव्य) refers to “precious things” (of gold or silver), according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XXXII-XXXIV).—Accordingly, “[...] And so the Buddhas use the wisdom (prajñā) of the true nature of things and make beings obtain it: this is the loving-kindness ‘without object’. It is as if one gave material (vasu) objects to a needy person, precious things of gold or silver [i.e., suvarṇarūpyamaya-ratnadravya] and [finally] the precious wish-fulfilling gem: it is the same for the loving-kindness that has beings as object, the loving-kindness that has things as object and the loving-kindness without object, respectively”.
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
Ratnadravya (in Sanskrit) can be associated with the following Chinese terms:
1) 寶物 [bǎo wù]: “valuables”.
Note: ratnadravya can be alternatively written as: ratna-dravya.
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)
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Ratnadravya, Ratna-dravya; (plurals include: Ratnadravyas, dravyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
1. Generosity and the virtue of generosity. < [Part 14 - Generosity and the other virtues]
Appendix 1 - The story of the vaiśya Meṇḍaka < [Chapter XXVI - Exertion]
Part 1 - Exertion (vīrya), fourth virtue < [Chapter XXVI - Exertion]
World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Critical study of shoolahar rasakalpas with special reference to rasayogsagar < [2021: Volume 10, June issue 6]