Shodashakara, Ṣoḍaśākāra, Shodasha-akara: 1 definition
Introduction:
Shodashakara 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 Ṣoḍaśākāra can be transliterated into English as Sodasakara or Shodashakara, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraṢoḍaśākāra (षोडशाकार) refers to the “sixteen noble aspects”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 31).—Accordingly, “Pure happiness (anāsravasukha) is inseparable from the sixteen noble aspects (ṣoḍaśākāra) of the three concentrations (samādhi) and is always without the mark of a self (sattvanimitta). If it were endowed with the mark of a self, it would produce minds of attachment (abhiniveśacitta). Thus pure happiness, although excellent, does not give rise to attachment. For many reasons of this kind, the Yogin considers pleasant worldly feeling as suffering. [...]”.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Akara, Shodasha.
Starts with: Shodashakaranajayamala, Shodashakaranapuja.
Full-text: Sattvanimitta, Nimitta, Abhiniveshacitta, Prajnendriya.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Shodashakara, Ṣoḍaśākāra, Ṣoḍaśa-ākāra, Shodasha-akara, Sodasakara, Sodasa-akara; (plurals include: Shodashakaras, Ṣoḍaśākāras, ākāras, akaras, Sodasakaras). 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)
E.4. The Five Faculties (pañcendriya) < [Abhidharma auxiliaries (E): Detailed study of the auxiliaries]
V. Body with marks and body without marks < [Part 3 - Possessing a body endowed with the marks]
1. Pure path (anāsrava-mārga) and Impure path (sāsrava-mārga) < [Part 4 - Questions relating to the dhyānas]
Abhidharmakośa (by Leo M. Pruden)