In Hinduism

Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Vanamadhya (वनमध्य) refers to “one who stays in the middle of a forest”, according to the Kulakaulinīmata verse 4.136-140.—Accordingly, “The goddess Nityā is always white and, completely full, resides in the circle of the moon. She is adorned with a rosary of crystal and a book. She is in the middle of a forest of Kadamba trees (kadamba-vanamadhya-sthā) and enters into one’s own body. The principle (over which she presides) is between the vital breath and is located above (Śiva) the Tranquil One. One should repeat it along with emission at the beginning and end of the Vidyā. One should make it enter with the force of a river carrying along with it all the scriptures. Once placed within the heart, one becomes the Lord of Speech himself. He knows all that is made of speech and contemplates the principle which is the meaning of all written prose. O great goddess! By reciting it a 100,000 times a man becomes a (great) poet”.

context information

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: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Vanamadhya (वनमध्य) refers to the “middle of the forest)”, 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, “Then the Bhagavān reached the vicinity of the residence of Vaiśravaṇa. In that region there was a choicest forest called Viṣavaka. There was a lotus lake in the middle of an opening of the forest [e.g., vanamadhya—tatra vanavivaramadhye]. By the power of that lotus lake the fields, gardens, forests, groves, flowers and fruits in the capital of Aḍakavatī became refreshed [...]”.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Vana, Madhya.

Ends with: Bhavanamadhya.

Relevant text

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