Vijnanabija, Vijñānabīja, Vijnana-bija: 1 definition
Introduction:
Vijnanabija 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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraVijñānabīja (विज्ञानबीज, “seed-consciousness”) refers to the first seed of the new being, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 31.—The vijñāna-bīja “seed-consciousness”, the consciousness which is seed, is obviously the third member of the causal chain, the member conditioned by actions and itself conditioning name and form (nāmarūpa). This is what descends into the mother’s womb and is the first seed of the new being. By means of the wind (vāta) of deceptive concepts and wrong thoughts, the father and mother blow upon the fire (agni) of sexual desire (rāga); blood (rudhira), marrow (majjan) and fat (vasā) escape, get hot and are changed into sperm. The seed-consciousness (vijñānabīja) conditioned by previous actions settles in the blood (śoṇita) and whitish sperm (śukra).
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: Bija, Vijnana.
Full-text: Mrishavikalpa, Matapitri, Rudhira, Vikalpa, Shukra, Majjan, Purvakarma, Kayabija, Stri, Parshva, Pakvashaya, Strikaya, Amasaya.
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Search found 1 books and stories containing Vijnanabija, Vijñānabīja, Vijnana-bija, Vijñāna-bīja; (plurals include: Vijnanabijas, Vijñānabījas, bijas, bījas). 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)
Appendix 2 - Vijñānabīja (seed-consciousness) < [Chapter XXXI - The Thirty-seven Auxiliaries to Enlightenment]
E.1: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (smṛtyupasthāna) < [Abhidharma auxiliaries (E): Detailed study of the auxiliaries]