Difference between revisions of "Abhiṣekha"
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | [[Abhiseka]] is the name used to describe a number of [[ritualistic]] practices in {{Wiki|Indian}} [[religions]]. | + | [[Abhiseka]] is the [[name]] used to describe a number of [[ritualistic]] practices in {{Wiki|Indian}} [[religions]]. [[abhiseka]]: Literally "sprinkling" whereby a [[disciple]] receives [[initiation]] or [[empowerment]]. Sometimes refers to the [[vows]] taken with [[tantric]] [[initiation]] or the third set of [[vows]], the other two being the [[pratimoksa]] [[vows]] or [[precepts]] of the [[hinayana tradition]] and the [[bodhisattva vows]] of the open [[mahayana tradition]]. |
{{Wiki|Hinduism}} | {{Wiki|Hinduism}} | ||
| − | [[Abhiseka]] is the name given to a late {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[rite]] of anointing government officials, particularly heads of state, at the time of their taking power or to mark a signal achievement. It is also the bathing ceremony and anointing performed on certain festival days for the temple deities. | + | [[Abhiseka]] is the [[name]] given to a late {{Wiki|Vedic}} [[rite]] of anointing government officials, particularly heads of state, at the [[time]] of their taking power or to mark a signal [[achievement]]. It is also the bathing {{Wiki|ceremony}} and anointing performed on certain {{Wiki|festival}} days for the [[temple]] [[deities]]. |
[[Buddhism]] | [[Buddhism]] | ||
| − | The [[abhiseka]] [[ritual]] in [[Shingon]] [[Buddhism]] is the [[initiation]] [[ritual]] used to confirm that a student of [[esoteric]] [[Buddhism]] has now graduated to a higher level of practice. The [[ritual]] was popular in {{Wiki|China}} during the {{Wiki|Tang Dynasty}}, and [[Kukai]], founder of [[Shingon]], studied there extensively before introducing this [[ritual]] to the {{Wiki|Japanese}} [[Buddhist]] establishment of the time. | + | The [[abhiseka]] [[ritual]] in [[Shingon]] [[Buddhism]] is the [[initiation]] [[ritual]] used to confirm that a [[student]] of [[esoteric]] [[Buddhism]] has now graduated to a higher level of practice. The [[ritual]] was popular in {{Wiki|China}} during the {{Wiki|Tang Dynasty}}, and [[Kukai]], founder of [[Shingon]], studied there extensively before introducing this [[ritual]] to the {{Wiki|Japanese}} [[Buddhist]] establishment of the [[time]]. |
| − | The [[ritual]] utilizes the one of the two [[Mandala]] of the [[Two Realms]], depending on the occasion. In [[esoteric]] [[ritual]], the teacher of the [[esoteric]] [[Buddhism]] assumes the role of the teacher, usually [[Mahavairocana]] [[Buddha]], while the [[master]] and student repeat specific [[mantras]] in a form of dialogue taken from [[esoteric]] [[Buddhist]] [[sutras]]. The student, who is blindfolded, then throws a flower upon the [[Mandala]] that is constructed, and where it lands (i.e. which [[deity]]) helps dictate where the student should focus his devotion on the [[esoteric]] [[path]]. From there, the student's blindfold is removed and a [[vajra]] is placed in hand. | + | The [[ritual]] utilizes the one of the two [[Mandala]] of the [[Two Realms]], depending on the occasion. In [[esoteric]] [[ritual]], the [[teacher]] of the [[esoteric]] [[Buddhism]] assumes the role of the [[teacher]], usually [[Mahavairocana]] [[Buddha]], while the [[master]] and [[student]] repeat specific [[mantras]] in a [[form]] of {{Wiki|dialogue}} taken from [[esoteric]] [[Buddhist]] [[sutras]]. The [[student]], who is blindfolded, then throws a [[flower]] upon the [[Mandala]] that is [[constructed]], and where it lands (i.e. which [[deity]]) helps dictate where the [[student]] should focus his [[devotion]] on the [[esoteric]] [[path]]. From there, the student's blindfold is removed and a [[vajra]] is placed in hand. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{SanskritTerminology}} | {{SanskritTerminology}} | ||
Revision as of 00:52, 1 April 2014
Abhiseka is the name used to describe a number of ritualistic practices in Indian religions. abhiseka: Literally "sprinkling" whereby a disciple receives initiation or empowerment. Sometimes refers to the vows taken with tantric initiation or the third set of vows, the other two being the pratimoksa vows or precepts of the hinayana tradition and the bodhisattva vows of the open mahayana tradition.
Hinduism
Abhiseka is the name given to a late Vedic rite of anointing government officials, particularly heads of state, at the time of their taking power or to mark a signal achievement. It is also the bathing ceremony and anointing performed on certain festival days for the temple deities.
Buddhism
The abhiseka ritual in Shingon Buddhism is the initiation ritual used to confirm that a student of esoteric Buddhism has now graduated to a higher level of practice. The ritual was popular in China during the Tang Dynasty, and Kukai, founder of Shingon, studied there extensively before introducing this ritual to the Japanese Buddhist establishment of the time.
The ritual utilizes the one of the two Mandala of the Two Realms, depending on the occasion. In esoteric ritual, the teacher of the esoteric Buddhism assumes the role of the teacher, usually Mahavairocana Buddha, while the master and student repeat specific mantras in a form of dialogue taken from esoteric Buddhist sutras. The student, who is blindfolded, then throws a flower upon the Mandala that is constructed, and where it lands (i.e. which deity) helps dictate where the student should focus his devotion on the esoteric path. From there, the student's blindfold is removed and a vajra is placed in hand.
