Vijnanalakshana, Vijñānalakṣaṇa, Vijnana-lakshana: 1 definition
Introduction:
Vijnanalakshana 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 Vijñānalakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Vijnanalaksana or Vijnanalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraVijñānalakṣaṇa (विज्ञानलक्षण) refers to the “characteristics of a consciousness”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 31).—Accordingly, “If there is no ātman to control the mind, there can only be the mind to control the body. You consider the mind to be dependent on a soul, but in the absence of the mind, the soul has no object of consciousness (jñeya) and, having no object of consciousness, how would it control the mind? If the soul had the characteristics of a knowledge (jñānalakṣaṇa), why resort again to the mind? This is why we know that only the mind presents the characteristics of a consciousness (vijñānalakṣaṇa). Therefore it is able to control the body and does not depend on a soul. It is like fire (agni) which, by its nature, burns things without the intervention of a person (puruṣa)”.
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: Lakshana, Vijnana.
Full-text: Jneya, Jnanalakshana.
Relevant text
Search found 1 books and stories containing Vijnanalakshana, Vijñānalakṣaṇa, Vijñāna-lakṣaṇa, Vijnana-lakshana, Vijnanalaksana, Vijnana-laksana; (plurals include: Vijnanalakshanas, Vijñānalakṣaṇas, lakṣaṇas, lakshanas, Vijnanalaksanas, laksanas). 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)
III. The concept of non-self (anātman-saṃjñā) < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]
Emptiness 14: Emptiness of all dharmas < [Chapter XLVIII - The Eighteen Emptinesses]
E.1: The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (smṛtyupasthāna) < [Abhidharma auxiliaries (E): Detailed study of the auxiliaries]