Shlathakaya, Ślathakāya, Shlatha-kaya: 1 definition

Introduction:

Shlathakaya 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 Ślathakāya can be transliterated into English as Slathakaya or Shlathakaya, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Ślathakāya (श्लथकाय) refers to a “very weak body”, 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, “Immediately after the dhāraṇī called Blazing Vajra Thunderbolt Beak had been uttered, the bodies of all harmful Nāgas became stinking and foul-smelling. Their bodies became very weak [e.g., ślathakāya] and spotted [with leprosy], and falling at the feet of the Bhagavān they said, ‘[...]’”.

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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