Vajrapada

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Key Term	vajrapada
Hover Popup Choices	vajrapada; vajra points; vajra subjects; vajrapadas; vajra point
In Tibetan Script	རྡོ་རྗེའི་གནས་
Wylie Tibetan Transliteration	rdo rje'i gnas
Devanagari Sanskrit Script	वज्रपद
English Standard	vajra subjects
Karl Brunnhölzl's English Term	vajra points
Dan Martin's English Term	adamantine topics
Term Type	Noun
Source Language	Sanskrit
Basic Meaning	Literally, vajra-footing, or base. In the context of the Ratnagotravibhāga, this is the name given to the seven subjects that are addressed in the treatise. These seven are the buddha, dharma, sangha, the element (dhātu), enlightenment (bodhi), enlightened qualities (guṇa), and enlightened activities (karma).
Has the Sense of	Vajra is a difficult word to translate, though it is often rendered as "adamantine" and can at times simply refer to a diamond. In the Ratnagotravibhāga the seven main topics of the treatise are called "vajra" subjects, because they are difficult to penetrate through an understanding that is arrived at through merely hearing or contemplating. In other words, they require direct experience.
Definitions

Literally, vajra-footing, or base. In the context of the Ratnagotravibhāga, this is the name given to the seven subjects that are addressed in the treatise. These seven are the buddha, dharma, saṅgha, the element (dhātu), enlightenment (bodhi), enlightened qualities (guṇa), and enlightened activities (karman).

Literally, vajra-footing, or base. In the context of the Ratnagotravibhāga, this is the name given to the seven subjects that are addressed in the treatise. These seven are the buddha, dharma, saṅgha, the element (dhātu), enlightenment (bodhi), enlightened qualities (guṇa), and enlightened activities (karman).

Literally, vajra-footing, or base. In the context of the Ratnagotravibhāga, this is the name given to the seven subjects that are addressed in the treatise. These seven are the buddha, dharma, saṅgha, the element (dhātu), enlightenment (bodhi), enlightened qualities (guṇa), and enlightened activities (karman).

Literally, vajra-footing, or base. In the context of the Ratnagotravibhāga, this is the name given to the seven subjects that are addressed in the treatise. These seven are the buddha, dharma, saṅgha, the element (dhātu), enlightenment (bodhi), enlightened qualities (guṇa), and enlightened activities (karman).

A fundamental component or essential constituent.

The qualities or attributes of an enlightened being.