Svakaya, Svakāya, Sva-kaya: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Svakaya means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Hinduism
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
Source: Google Books: ManthanabhairavatantramSvakāya (स्वकाय) refers to “one’s own body”, according to the Kularatnoddyota verse 2.12-20.—Accordingly, “Initially, O great goddess, Ādinātha created the Paścima Krama lineage and then, O dear one, he worshipped it himself with a sacrificial substance born from his own body (svakāya-saṃbhava) and possessing marvellous power. O fair one, (this is) the most excellent Krama which bestows the fruit of enjoyment and liberation”.
Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraSvakāya (स्वकाय) refers to “one’s own body”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXXI.—One’s own body (svakāya) is inner; another’s body (parakāya) is outer. One’s own body is of two kinds: i) the impurities (aśuci) inside the body; ii) the skin (tvac), the hairs (roman), the nails (nakha), the hairs of the head (keśa), etc., outside.
One’s own body (svakāya) and the organs, eye, etc., are inner body (adhyātmakāya); one’s wife, son, wealth, fields, house and other utilized objects are outer body (bahirdhākāya). How is that? Since material dharmas (rūpadharma) are all [objects] of mindfulness of the body (kāyasmṛtyupasthāna).
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureSvakāya (स्वकाय) refers to “one’s own 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, [as the Bhagavān was residing in the abode of Brahmā] “Then the Bhagavān having perceived the great assembly-gathering, emitted a splendour of a net of rays from his body (svakāya). By the splendour of those rays the ten directions were completely illuminated”.
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.
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: The University of Sydney: A study of the Twelve ReflectionsSvakāya (स्वकाय) refers to “one’s own body”, according to the 11th century Jñānārṇava, a treatise on Jain Yoga in roughly 2200 Sanskrit verses composed by Śubhacandra.—Accordingly, “One who is restrained continually accumulates good karma by the activity of the body through his body (svakāya) which is well-controlled or by abandoning the body. The body of embodied souls attaches to bad karmas through actions which possess constant exertion and which kill living beings”.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Ends with: Vishvakaya.
Full-text: Prativibhavayati, Prativibhavayate, Sakkaya, Mritasharira, Rupadharma, Bharya, Upanibadhnati, Adhyatmakaya, Bahirdhakaya, Satkaya.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Svakaya, Svakāya, Sva-kaya, Sva-kāya; (plurals include: Svakayas, Svakāyas, kayas, kāyas). 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.1: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (smṛtyupasthāna) < [Abhidharma auxiliaries (E): Detailed study of the auxiliaries]
2. Debate with the Personalist < [Part 13 - Non-existence of the donor]