In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Lokottaravāda

Satyāvatāra (सत्यावतार) is the name of a Buddha under whom Śākyamuni (or Gautama, ‘the historical Buddha’) acquired merit along the first through nine bhūmis, according to the Mahāvastu. There are in total ten bhūmis representing the ten stages of the Bodhisattva’s path towards enlightenment.

Satyāvatāra is but one among the 500 Buddhas enumerated in the Mahāvastu during a conversation between Mahākātyāyana and Mahākāśyapa, both principle disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Mahāvastu is an important text of the Lokottaravāda school of buddhism, dating from the 2nd century BCE.

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Satyāvatāra (सत्यावतार) refers to the “certain entrance into the truth”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “What then, the son of good family, is memory (dhāraṇī)? [...] (12) knowledge of the teaching on the highest truth which is inseparable from reality; (13) knowledge on the certain entrance into the truth (satyāvatāra); (14) knowledge in accordance with the application of awareness; (15) knowledge of the vigour without retrogression for correct elimination; [...]”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Satyāvatāra (सत्यावतार).—(?) , by em., name of a former Buddha: Mahāvastu i.139.10; see s.v. Samīkṣitavadana.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Satya, Avatara.

Full-text: Samikshitavadana.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Satyavatara, Satyāvatāra, Satya-avatara, Satya-avatāra; (plurals include: Satyavataras, Satyāvatāras, avataras, avatāras). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)

Chapter XVI - The ninth Bhūmi < [Volume I]

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