Apramanabha, Apramāṇābha, Apramana-abha: 7 definitions
Introduction:
Apramanabha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 SastraApramāṇābha (अप्रमाणाभ) is part of the group of Gods inhabiting the second dhyāna of the Rūpadhātu (or Brahmaloka): the second of the three worlds, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 32-34. The gods of the form realm (rūpadhātu), having fallen from the pure abodes (śuddhāvāsa), will again conceive sensual desire and will abide in the impure spheres.
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.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaApramāṇābha (अप्रमाणाभ) refers to “unbounded radiance” and represents one of the eighteen “gods of the form-realms” (rūpāvacaradeva) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 128). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., apramāṇābha). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionaryApramāṇābha (अप्रमाणाभ).—(pl.) 'of unlimited lustre', Name of a class of deities (with Buddhists).
Derivable forms: apramāṇābhaḥ (अप्रमाणाभः).
Apramāṇābha is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms apramāṇa and ābha (आभ). See also (synonyms): apramāṇaśubha.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryApramāṇābha (अप्रमाणाभ).—m. pl. (= Pali appa°), of limitless splendor, name of one (usually the 2d) of the classes of rūpā- vacara gods in the 2d dhyāna-bhūmi (see s.v. deva): Mahāvyutpatti 3091; Dharmasaṃgraha 128; Mahāvastu ii.348.19; 360.18; Lalitavistara 150.6; Avadāna-śataka i.5.2; Divyāvadāna 68.14; 138.21; 367.12; 568.27; Gaṇḍavyūha 249.14; Bodhisattvabhūmi 62.3.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryApramāṇābha (अप्रमाणाभ):—[from a-pramāṇa > a-pramā] m. [plural] ‘of unlimited splendour’, Name of a class of divinities, [Buddhist literature]
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Goldstücker Sanskrit-English DictionaryApramāṇābha (अप्रमाणाभ):—[bahuvrihi compound] m. pl.
(-bhāḥ) (In Buddhistic doctrine.) The name of a class of divinities which belong to the second degree of the second dhyāna or contemplation (liter. ‘of immeasurable splendour’). E. apramāṇa and ābhā.
[Sanskrit to German]
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: Abha, Apramana.
Starts with: Apramanabhacakravartin, Apramanabhachakravartin, Apramanabhasvara.
Full-text: Apramanashubha, Apramanabhacakravartin, Rupadhatu, Rupavacaradeva, Eighteen Gods, Abhasvara Worlds, Deva.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Apramanabha, Apramāṇābha, Apramana-abha, Apramāṇa-ābha; (plurals include: Apramanabhas, Apramāṇābhas, abhas, ābhas). 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)
Part 4 - Illuminating the darkness of the intermediary worlds < [Chapter LI - Seeing all the Buddha Fields]
Act 7.1: The Buddha shows his ordinary body (prakṛtyātmabhāva) < [Chapter XIV - Emission of rays]
Appendix 1 - Distribution of gods in the three worlds < [Chapter XXXII-XXXIV - The eight classes of supplementary dharmas]
Guhyagarbha Tantra (with Commentary) (by Gyurme Dorje)
Text 15.6 (Commentary) < [Chapter 15 (Text and Commentary)]
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva fundamental vow sutra (by Johnny Yu)
A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)