In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Buddhakārya (बुद्धकार्य) refers to the “workings of the Buddha”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 41).—Accordingly, “[Digression on a case brought against the Buddha; B. The defense].—[6. Use of a Stone Bowl].—‘The Buddha forbade the Bhikṣus to use eight kinds of bowls (pātra)’.—[...] [Question].—If the Buddha does not eat, where is the food that he does accept? [Answer].—The workings of the Buddha (buddhakārya) are inconceivable (acintya): they should not be investigated. Furthermore, there are people who are saved when they find food for the Buddha; there are others who are saved when they hear his sounds (śabda), see his color (rūpa), touch his body (kāya) or smell his smell (gandha). If they need [the Buddha’s] food to be saved, the Buddha gives it to them. [...]”.

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

Buddhakārya (बुद्धकार्य) refers to the “deeds of a Buddha”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “[...] Since the Bodhisatva enters on the supra-mundane way after having put on the armour, he appears to many beings, performing the deeds of the Buddha (buddhakārya), even without obtaining omniscience (sarvajñāna)”.

The Bodhisattva performs the [following] deeds of the Buddha (buddhakārya) [even when the Buddhas do not appear]:—

1. the Bodhisattva has perfected the purification of the ten powers by knowing what is proper and what is improper;
2. he has perfected the purification of the four fearlessness by knowing the cessation of impurities;
3. he has perfected the purification of the eighteen special qualities of the Tathāgata by knowing the unattached knowledge of the three times;
4. he has perfected the purification of five kinds of sight by obtaining the light of the sight of the Buddha;
5. he has perfected the purification of all supernormal knowledges by the attainment of going to the seat of awakening;
6. he has perfected fulfilling all good qualities by completely cutting off the habitual patterns of vices;
7. he has perfected the purification of the ornaments of body, speech, thought, the auspicious marks and signs by accumulating all collections of merits;
8. he has perfected the purification of the ten stages by obtaining the stage of consecration;
9. he has perfected the purification of all qualities of the Buddha by accumulating the collection of knowledges.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Karya, Buddha.

Full-text (+5): Karya, Alakshanaka, Satpurusha, Dashabhumi, Sarvapunya, Asthanajnana, Caturvaisharadya, Upacaya, Ashtadashavenika, Dharmabhanaka, Kleshavasana, Ashtadasha, Sthanajnana, Tryadhvasanga, Jnanajnana, Gamana, Parisodhana, Niryata, Asthana, Sthana.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Buddhakarya, Buddhakārya, Buddha-kārya, Buddha-karya; (plurals include: Buddhakaryas, Buddhakāryas, kāryas, karyas). 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)

The miracle of the multiplication of the Buddhas < [Part 2 - The Eight Recollections according to the Abhidharma]

II. Real longevity of the buddhas < [Part 16 - Obtaining the immense longevity and immense radiance of the Buddhas]

II. Obtaining the level of the Kumāraka < [Part 4 - Being born into the family of the Bodhisattvas, etc.]

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