Shilalakshana, Śīlalakṣaṇa, Śilālakṣaṇa, Shila-lakshana: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Shilalakshana 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.

The Sanskrit terms Śīlalakṣaṇa and Śilālakṣaṇa can be transliterated into English as Silalaksana or Shilalakshana, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shilpashastra (iconography)

[«previous next»] — Shilalakshana in Shilpashastra glossary
Source: archive.org: Catalogue of Pancaratra Agama Texts (shilpa)

Śilālakṣaṇa (शिलालक्षण) refers to the “characteristics of stones (for sculpting images)”, as discussed in chapter 15 of the Ādikāṇḍa of the Hayaśīrṣasaṃhitā: a large Pāñcarātra Āgama consisting of roughly 6500 verses dealing primarily with architecture, temple-building and consecration rituals and iconography.—Description of the chapter [śilālakṣaṇa-paṭala]: The qualifications of color (21-30), “age” (31-34a) and “sex” (34b-37) are discussed. “Male” stones are to be used for icons, “female” stones for basements and pedestals and “neuter” stones are to be used for piṇḍikā (38). Then the defects of stones are considered (39-46) before the chapter’s conclusion—concerning the desirable qualities of stones (47-51).

Shilpashastra book cover
context information

Shilpashastra (शिल्पशास्त्र, śilpaśāstra) represents the ancient Indian science (shastra) of creative arts (shilpa) such as sculpture, iconography and painting. Closely related to Vastushastra (architecture), they often share the same literature.

Discover the meaning of shilalakshana or silalaksana in the context of Shilpashastra from relevant books on Exotic India

Vastushastra (architecture)

[«previous next»] — Shilalakshana in Vastushastra glossary
Source: Shodhganga: Iconography in Prayogamanjari and Saivagamanibandhana (a study) (vs)

Śīlalakṣaṇa (शीललक्षण) refers to one of the topics dealt with in the first chapter of the Puṭayūrbhāṣā, a Tantric text written by one Vāsudeva who belongs to the Putayur Illam in North Malabar in Kerala.—The Puṭayūrbhāṣā is also known as Kriyādīpikā. It is in verse form written in Malayalam. Thus this treatise is named as Puṭayūrbhāṣā. The period of this text is regarded as 1345 AD. The text consists of twelve paṭalas. The first paṭala deals with the bhūparīkṣā, vāstubali, śilāparigraha, śilālakṣaṇa etc. [...] Even though the text gives various names of deities and their worshipping mantras, Śiva is seen given importance.

Vastushastra book cover
context information

Vastushastra (वास्तुशास्त्र, vāstuśāstra) refers to the ancient Indian science (shastra) of architecture (vastu), dealing with topics such architecture, sculpture, town-building, fort building and various other constructions. Vastu also deals with the philosophy of the architectural relation with the cosmic universe.

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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Shilalakshana in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Śīlalakṣaṇa (शीललक्षण) refers to the “the nature of morality”, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 22.—[Question]:—Knowing the various marvelous fruits of morality, what is its nature (lakṣaṇa)? [Answer]:—The nature of morality is the cessation of sin, wrong-doing and its non-reappearance. The suppression of sins of body and speech, whether it be the making of a resolution, a verbal promise or a pledge before a third person, constitutes the nature of morality (śīlalakṣaṇa).

Mahayana book cover
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.

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