“A Dharma-Transmitter Who Traveled to Sung China”
in Did Dogen Go to China?
June 2006; published online May 2006.
Chapter. Subjects: Buddhism. 17030 words.
Dōgen was the second in a succession of Japanese monks who went to China in pursuit of true Buddhism, then returned to Japan to establish Zen temples. This chapter details the route travelled by...
“A Mother’s Heart Is Tender”
in Ties That Bind
July 2012; published online September 2012.
Chapter. Subjects: Buddhism. 11220 words.
This chapter argues that mother-love is highly idealized in Indian Buddhist literature as the most intense, compassionate, and self-sacrificing type of love possible. As such, mother-love often...
abhabba-ṠṠhāna
Overview page. Subjects: Buddhism.
(Pāli, impossibility). List of nine things of which an Arhat is said to be morally incapable. These are (1–4) breaking the first four of the Five Precepts (pañca-śīla), (5) storing up goods, and...
abhabba-ṭṭhāna
in A Dictionary of Buddhism
January 2004; published online January 2004.
Reference Entry. Subjects: Buddhism. 47 words.
(Pāli, impossibility).
List of nine things of which an Arhat is said to be morally incapable. These are (1–4) breaking
ābhassara
Overview page. Subjects: Buddhism.
(Pāli, radiant). Name of a class of devas or heavenly beings who reside in the Form Realm (rūpa-dhātu). Their ethereal natures are said to be suffused with joy (pīti) and love (maitrī).
ābhassara
in A Dictionary of Buddhism
January 2004; published online January 2004.
Reference Entry. Subjects: Buddhism. 35 words.
(Pāli, radiant).
Name of a class of devas or heavenly beings who reside in the Form Realm (rūpa-dhātu).
Abhayagiri
Overview page. Subjects: Buddhism.
A major ancient monastic complex in Anurādhapura.Sri Lanka.also known as Uttaravihāra. Founded by King Vaṭṭagāmaṇi Abhaya in the 1st century bce it consisted of a monastery (vihāra) and a stūpa.but...
Abhayagiri
in A Dictionary of Buddhism
January 2004; published online January 2004.
Reference Entry. Subjects: Buddhism. 380 words.
A major ancient monastic complex in Anurādhapura, Sri Lanka, also known as Uttaravihāra. Founded by King Vaṭṭagāmaṇi Abhaya
abhaya-mudrā
Overview page. Subjects: Buddhism.
(Skt., ‘fearlessness’ + mudra).
The gesture of being without fear (only acquired in full in the condition of mokṣa).
abhaya-mudrā
in A Dictionary of Buddhism
January 2004; published online January 2004.
Reference Entry. Subjects: Buddhism. 102 words.
(Skt., gesture of fearlessness).
Iconographic hand gesture (mudrā) whose purpose is to dispel fear and communicate protection, benevolence,