Sarvayaksha, Sarvayakṣa, Sarva-yaksha: 1 definition

Introduction:

Sarvayaksha 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.

The Sanskrit term Sarvayakṣa can be transliterated into English as Sarvayaksa or Sarvayaksha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Sarvayaksha in Mahayana glossary
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Sarvayakṣa (सर्वयक्ष) refers to “all the Yakṣas”, 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, [after Vairambhaka spoke to the Bhagavān], “Then, having heard this voice, all the Devas, Nāgas, Yakṣas (sarvayakṣa), Gandharvas, Asuras, Garuḍas, Kiṃnaras, Mahoragas, humans and non-humans said, ‘Alas, alas, woe, woe, so bad that destroyers have arisen in the world’”.

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.

Discover the meaning of sarvayaksha or sarvayaksa in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

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