Ideas across traditions · meditation · Tibetan
mahāmudrā
Works in 3 traditions beyond Tibetan attest this concept, on 849 cited pages. Translators have rendered it as “phyag chen”, “phyag rgya chen po”, “great seal”, “ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་པོ་” and 10 other ways; a link through a rendering is marked as such, because another translator chose differently.
Also under: mahamudra · maha mudra · ma ha mu tra · “phyag chen” · “phyag rgya chen po” · “great seal” · “ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་པོ་” · “ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་པོ” · “ཕྱག་ཆེན་” · “phyag-rgya chen-po” · “phyag-rgya-chen-po” · “ཕྱག་ཆེན” · “chagya chenpo” · “phyag-chen” · “ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་མོ” · “ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་མོ་” · “ཕྱག་རྒྱ་ཆེན་པོ།”
19works in other traditions, with a cited page
29works in Tibetan, its home tradition on the maps
13further works where only a vocabulary list or keyword names it; not shown
1judged analogues in other traditions (a different word for a neighbouring idea)
Analogues, judged
A different word, in another tradition, that a reviewer judged to name a neighbouring idea. These are not attestations of mahāmudrā; each carries the reviewer’s confidence and reason.
- mudrā Indian / Buddhist85%glossed 'symbolic hand gesture'/'a badge/seal' - the general term of which mahamudra is the 'great' compound
In other traditions
Ordered by the earliest work in each tradition that attests the concept. Within a tradition, works run from earliest to latest by conventional composition date.
Buddhist
- 620 CECandrakīrti, Madhyamakāvatārasame word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great SealSpeech on Entering the Middle Way The wisdom of bliss and emptiness, appearing from the supreme Guru, is calledMadhyamaka Commentary (Entering the Middle Way), 1500, p. 54 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudraabide. Therefore, the son of the noble Victors is the supreme meaning. One should abide in the nature of the Great Sealdbu ma ‘jug pa’i rtsa ba, 1700, p. 14 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 750 CEGuhyasamāja sādhana (Ārya tradition; Ganden oral lineage)same word
- Mahamudra — Great Seal/Yogaccomplish it well through their clever intellect. It is well-hidden by the signs of the mantra . It is the most profoundbe bum sangs rgyas lag bcang las/ ngag dben gsung rdo rje’i dmar khrid zin bris su bkod pa, 1700, p. 3 · flagged as a term by the translator
- mahamudrat is blue, and the white and blue are similar. The right is blue and red; this has appeared as a trace of the great sealgsang ‘dus sgrub thabs dben sa snyan brgyud kyi man ngag ltar nyanms su len tshul dngos grub kun byung, 1700, p. 4 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 800 CECakrasaṃvara sādhana (Ghaṇṭapāda five stages; Vajrayoginī / Vajravārāhī)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealof the body. Then, one should remain in the state where the mind is free from elaboration. # Third Strip The meaning ofrDo rje phag mo'i zab khrid, 1700, p. 66 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahāmudrā — the Great Sealthe gods. The splendor of the Buddha. Originating from that, and originating from the holy Dharma. The full expansion ofrDo rje phag mo'i zab khrid skor, 1700, p. 41 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealollowing the lineage of the deities. Within that, inside the lotus, the flower of wisdom arises. This is the path of thebde chog bong zhal snyan brgyud kyi sngon ‘gro’i khrid yig sku gsum rgyal ba’i gzhal med khang, 1700, p. 19 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 900 CESaraha, Dohākoṣasame word and a translator’s rendering
- Great Seal — original: "phyag rgya chen po"; Mahāmudrā, a system of meditation on the nature of mindhe obstruction of clouds. # Bottom Folio This is the manner of dwelling within the expanse of reality, which is like theDo ha'i bshad lugs sogs, 1700, p. 282 · flagged as a term by the translator
- mahamudra — Great Sealngle point of emptiness, and having entered, the protector of heroes [is] the logic... The hand of the citta mind is thergyal po do ha'i ti ka 'bring po sems kyi rnam thar ston pa'i me long, 1700, p. 1 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — the great gesture/the ultimate realization of realityCore/Essence . Thus, the great Brahmin has clearly set down the meaning of the oral instructions of the Great Seal, thebram ze chen po sa ra ha’i bde stong phyag rgya chen po’i bzhed tshul rgyud grub chen gyi dgongs pa ma nor ba gsal bar s, 1700, p. 4 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 900 CESaraha, Dohākośa (Royal Song)same word and a translator’s rendering
- mahamudra — Great Sealngle point of emptiness, and having entered, the protector of heroes [is] the logic... The hand of the citta mind is thergyal po do ha'i ti ka 'bring po sems kyi rnam thar ston pa'i me long, 1700, p. 1 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — the great gesture/the ultimate realization of realityCore/Essence . Thus, the great Brahmin has clearly set down the meaning of the oral instructions of the Great Seal, thebram ze chen po sa ra ha’i bde stong phyag rgya chen po’i bzhed tshul rgyud grub chen gyi dgongs pa ma nor ba gsal bar s, 1700, p. 4 · flagged as a term by the translator
- mahamudraus by nature, the radiance of wisdom radiating into all ten directions does not contradict the meaning of the Great SealDo ha mdzod brgyad, 1700, p. 15 · original word kept by the translator
- 1000Phyag chen rgya gzhung (Indian Mahāmudrā corpus: Tilopa, Nāropa, Maitrīpa)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1100Avalokiteśvara sādhana (Thugs rje chen po)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1200Jagaddarpaṇa, Kriyāsamuccayasame word
Hermetic & Gnostic
Indian
- 800 CEMālinīvijayottara Tantrasame word
- 875 CESpandakārikā with Nirṇaya / Sandohasame word
- 875 CESpanda-kārikā with Kṣemarāja's Nirṇaya and Sandohasame word
- 1000Abhinavagupta, Tantrāloka (with Tantrasāra)same word
- 1000Abhinavagupta, Tantrāloka (with Jayaratha) and Tantrasārasame word
- 1100Yoginīhṛdayasame word
- 1200Gorakṣanātha, Siddhasiddhāntapaddhati & Gorakṣaśatakasame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1200Kulārṇava Tantrasame word
- 1450Svātmārāma, Haṭhapradīpikāsame word and a translator’s rendering
- mahāmudrā — great sealbed later, such as sūryabhedana sun-piercing and ujjāyī victorious breath . The techniques known as mudrās , such as theHathayogapradipika (Sanskrit, 1867), 1867, p. 51 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahâ Mudrâiercing, and the Sky-Walker; the Upward-Flying Lock, the Root Lock, and the lock known as Jalandhara. 6.<- *The mudrâs.*The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, 1915, p. 36 · flagged as a term by the translator
- mahamudrae Sun-Piercing and Ujjayi breaths which will be described later. The techniques known as "Mudras"—such as the Great SealLight on the Yoga of Force with Commentaries, undated, p. 42 · original word kept by the translator
- 1500Śiva Saṃhitāsame word
At home in Tibetan
- 1050Dzogchen Seventeen Tantras & Vima snying thigsame word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — the ultimate nature of mindan original: "bcom" Homage to the Guru, the Blissful Awareness of Wisdom, Padma Padmasambhava . Homage to the Great SealKlong gsal thod rgal lam khrid, 1700, p. 3 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal*Folio 3** Then, the completion stage instructions consist of three: the yoga of channels and winds, the introduction tosNyan brgyud rdo rje zam pa'i sgom khrid, 1700, p. 75 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal# Top Leaf The Stages of Visualization for thergyud bcu bdun, 1700, p. 105 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1050Nāropa, Six Yogas (tummo, illusory body, dream, clear light, bardo, phowa)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealses, and it is the same," it is said. The peace, the final sign of the gtum-mo internal heat , is the instruction of therje btsun mai tri pa’i lugs kyi bde mchog snyan brgyud las/ ‘pho khrid snying gi nor bu, 1700, p. 22 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — the Great Sealfire and the essence, the rough fire, the nadi channel , the great falling, the Tummo of the symbol, and the union withn’a ro chos drug gi nang tshan gtum mo’i man ngag nges don bla ma’i zhal shes legs bris bdag po’i gtung ba, 1700, p. 5 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealthat. From: > Then, the bardo intermediate state of existence and peace. > For the introduction to the actual state, thezab lam n’a ro chos drug gi skor las sgyur lus rmi lam ‘od gsl bar do bcas kyi gdams pa, 1700, p. 16 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1080Milarepa, mGur 'bum (Songs)same word
- 1100Tibetan dream yoga (Six Yogas of Nāropa; rmi lam) and the Bardo Thödol's dream bardosame word and a translator’s rendering
- Great Seal — Mahamudrag in this way, you will see the truth of reality, and you will obtain the supreme siddhi spiritual accomplishment of theThor bu Zhi khro dgongs pa rang grol skor, 1700, p. 188 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — the Great Sealis the essence of the great compassion and upaya skillful means of all Buddhas. The form of the arrow is the essence ofZhi khro dgongs pa rang grol (Tibetan Book of the Dead / Bardo Thödol), Kalimpong: Mani Dorji, 1, p. 471 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealgar—the abandonment of the retinue, the state of the immortal, the collection of eyes, the realization of the great sealZhi khro bka' brgyad yongs rdzogs, 1700, p. 12 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1100Machig Labdrön, Gcodsame word and a translator’s rendering
- mahamudra — great sealfit. By abandoning non-virtue, by showing the virtue of the dharma, one does not fail to benefit the sentient beings. MydBang bskur gcod ki zhal gdams, 1700, p. 2 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealrasattva Diamond Being . The third is Guru Yoga union with the teacher , which is praying to the guru. The fourth is thegCod kyi zhal gdams, 1700, p. 51 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealse of the place. If one takes this tantric scripture as the master, the path of all is illusory. The causal body and thegcod kyi zab don thugs kyi snying po zhes bya ba kyad par can, 1700, p. 113 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1150Lojong (Seven-Point Mind Training; 37 Practices)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1230Sakya Paṇḍita, Mkhas pa 'jug pa'i sgo (and Tshad ma rigs gter)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1250Sakya Paṇḍita, Mkhas 'jug (Gateway for the Learned)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1250Sakya Paṇḍita, Sa skya legs bshad (Treasury of Aphoristic Jewels)same word
- 1310Mkha' 'gro snying thig (Dākinī Heart-Essence instruction cycle)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — the Great Sealpoints of the completion stage, there are three: the points of the subtle channels, winds, and drops; the points of themKha' 'gro snying thig bka'I them byang, 1700, p. 171 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal**Top Folio** From the Yang gsang mkha’ ’gro snying thig , the key point of the pith instructions for the view ofYang gsang mkha’ ’gro snying thig, 1700, p. 86 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seale: Akashagarbha, listen well and hold this in your mind! --- ### Folio 2 I shall explain the Tantra of Illumination. TheThor bu Zab chos mkha' snying thig gi chos sde, 1700, p. 42 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1320Rangjung Dorje (Karmapa III), rNam shes ye shes 'byed pa and Zab mo nang donsame word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — the ultimate nature of mindis the title page of the text, presenting the work as the Aspiration Prayer of the Great Seal. The Great Seal, known asphyag chen smon lam, 1700, p. 1 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealnings of this very prayer have been explained. ### Folio 263 Now, to show the benefits of this prayer: since this is theNges don phyag rgya chen po’i smon lam gyi ’grel ba bdud rtsi’i snying khu, 1700, p. 27 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Karma Lingpa, Bar do thos grol (Zhi khro dgongs pa rang grol)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — the Great Sealis the essence of the great compassion and upaya skillful means of all Buddhas. The form of the arrow is the essence ofZhi khro dgongs pa rang grol (Tibetan Book of the Dead / Bardo Thödol), Kalimpong: Mani Dorji, 1, p. 471 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — the Great Sealections are contained herein. The method. From the scripture of the perfectly enlightened Buddha. Derived from the greatBar do smon lam ngo sprod, 1700, p. 136 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealr of no-mark, and performing the benefit of those who possess the bodhicitta mind of enlightenment , I pay homage to thekarma gling pa'i gter byon br do'i thos grol dang/ chos spyod bag chags rang grol, 1700, p. 16 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Longchenpa, Ngal gso skor gsum, Man ngag mdzod & Snying thig ya bzhisame word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealboth conditioned and unconditioned, are from the very beginning empty by nature. It is the entry into the vehicle of therDzog chen sems nyid ngal gso, 1700, p. 12 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal, and blessing him to be inseparable from their enlightened body, speech, and mind. The meaning of the perfect purity ofkun mkhyen klong chen pa'i gsung bdud rtsi skor gsum/ don khrid skor gsum/ rgyab yig skor gsum, 1700, p. 126 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seallessed One. || In this way, the Blessed One [said]: these three infinites are the doors of infinity of the wisdom of theklong chen pa'i man ngag mdzod dang mtshan dpe chen mo, 1700, p. 10 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Longchenpa, mDzod bdun (Seven Treasuries)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealnomena means that all phenomena possess no self. ༄༅། །Having taught the essential points of the instructions such as theGrub mtha' rin po che'i mdzod, 1700, p. 175 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seallessed One. || In this way, the Blessed One [said]: these three infinites are the doors of infinity of the wisdom of theklong chen pa'i man ngag mdzod dang mtshan dpe chen mo, 1700, p. 10 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1350Longchenpa, Ngal gso skor gsum (Trilogy of Rest)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealboth conditioned and unconditioned, are from the very beginning empty by nature. It is the entry into the vehicle of therDzog chen sems nyid ngal gso, 1700, p. 12 · flagged as a term by the translator
- phyag rgya chen po — Great Seale teachings is as revealed in the biographies of the translators. The manner in which the bka' gdams pa Kadampa school ,Rdzogs pa chen po ngal gso skor gsum gyi dkar chag padma stong ldan, 1700, p. 420 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1400Dzogchen khrid yig (direct-introduction and guidance manuals; Sems sde, Kun byed rgyal po)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Great Seal — original: "phyag rgya chen po", Sanskrit: Mahamudraides in the sphere of non-elaboration as an unchanging nature. This is the heart-essence of the mind of all Buddhas, theThor bu rDzogs chen yang tig nag po, 1700, p. 38 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealrealized this, one should attain the state of Buddhahood for the sake of all sentient beings. Based on the stages of theDon khrid lam gyi sgron me, 1700, p. 75 · flagged as a term by the translator
- mahamudra — the great seal of realitywisdom of equality. To reveal the secret of their true nature, the characteristic of wisdom is described as arising fromrDzogs chen yang tig nag po gser gyi 'bru gcig, 1700, p. 25 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1488Milarepa, Mgur 'bum & Rnam tharsame word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — the Great Seal, the highest meditative realizationthe left side of the page. From the "Black Treasury" of the Songs of Milarepa, the instruction manual for the Five-foldMi la ras pa'i gsung mgur mdzod nag ma (Songs of Milarepa, 'Black Treasury'), 1488, p. 20 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal**Top Leaf** The realization of the non-existent is theMi la ras pa’l rnam thar, 1700, p. 45 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great SealMother will be limitless. Because of discursive thought, the self is of body and mind. I have analyzed and accepted themi la ras pa/ ras chung pa/ mgon po rdo rje bcas kyi rnam thar, 1700, p. 8 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1488Milarepa's Songs (Mgur 'bum / Mdzod nag ma)same word
- 1488Life of Milarepa (rNam thar)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1500Tshe khrid rdo rje phreng ba (long-life visualisation cycle)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahāmudrā — Great Sealthe cycle of the Tshe khrid rdo rje phreng ba Vajra Garland Life-Instruction : The instruction manual for the five-foldTshe khrid rdo rje phreng ba'i skor, 1700, p. 109 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal**Top Leaf:** Herein is contained the instruction manual on the Five-foldTshe khrid rdo rje phreng ba'i skor, 1700, p. 143 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal/Great Gesturecaused by the confusion of a rope is nothing other than the rope itself; in the midst of this, such is the state of theNeyphug Thor bu Tshe khrid sogs, 1700, p. 11 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1500Guru yoga (Bla ma'i rnal 'byor; Bla ma dgongs 'dus)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudrabasis. Regarding this instruction on the exhaustion of the basis, > it is said. This is the scripture of the Great SealBla ma chos sku sgrub thabs kyi rtsa ba, 1700, p. 3 · original word kept by the translator
- phyag rgya chen poe highest truth is made pure. This is situated before those who abide by it. It is the essence of the supreme Great Sealblo bzang bka' 'bum las bla ma'i yig chung lta khrid snying po dngos grub kun 'byung, 1700, p. 2 · original word kept by the translator
- 1550Mahāmudrā manuals (Wangchuk Dorje, Pema Karpo, Tashi Namgyal, Khamtrul)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealguru as the actual Buddha through the meditation of his desire. Bless me so that I may attain the essence of the supremeIntroduction to the Preliminary Practice of Mahamudra (Innate Union), 1710, p. 144 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahāmudrā — the great symbol or seal of realityit-derived syllables reflects a meditative focus on the transformative power of sound in the tradition of the Great SealPhyag chen stong thun rin po che'i gter mdzod, 1700, p. 36 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — the ultimate nature of mindis the title page of the text, presenting the work as the Aspiration Prayer of the Great Seal. The Great Seal, known asphyag chen smon lam, 1700, p. 1 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1600Zhal gdams / man ngag — retreat and heart-advice manualssame word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealspread to all bodies through the practice of doing the suitable and the friend. After that, by sending this body to theri chos yon tan kun 'byung rin po che 'bar ba bzhugs pa'i nyams len, 1700, p. 15 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — the ultimate meditative statehis path is the stage of the Great Vehicle, the object of practice for yogis who reside in the meaning of the Great SealThor bu lCe sgom nyams len sogs, 1700, p. 90 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudrainess. It is written upon the space that is pure from the beginning. It is free like the edge of the sky. The Great Sealdben pa bstan pa'i rnal 'byor gcer lta grol ba'i zin bris, 1700, p. 3 · original word kept by the translator
- 1700Mahāmudrā instruction manuals (Bhutanese and Drukpa Kagyü)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — Great Sealguru as the actual Buddha through the meditation of his desire. Bless me so that I may attain the essence of the supremeIntroduction to the Preliminary Practice of Mahamudra (Innate Union), 1710, p. 144 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahāmudrā — the great symbol or seal of realityit-derived syllables reflects a meditative focus on the transformative power of sound in the tradition of the Great SealPhyag chen stong thun rin po che'i gter mdzod, 1700, p. 36 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Seal/Great Gestureself-sacrifice in alchemical tradition. Sh 151 Che A 368 -> Om. Herein lies the instruction on the Four Syllables of thephyag rgya chen po’i dmar khrid rang gros, 1700, p. 1 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1700Dzogchen instruction literature (Semde khrid yig, kun gzhi rang grol, thod rgal)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — the ultimate nature of mindan original: "bcom" Homage to the Guru, the Blissful Awareness of Wisdom, Padma Padmasambhava . Homage to the Great SealKlong gsal thod rgal lam khrid, 1700, p. 3 · flagged as a term by the translator
- mahamudra — the Great Sealike tathagatagarbha Buddha-nature , the single bindu essence-sphere , dhatu expanse and wisdom, dharma , ultimate truth,khrid yig kun gzhi rang grol sogs chos tshan kha 'thor sna tsogs, 1700, p. 13 · flagged as a term by the translator
- 1700Sngon 'gro (preliminary practice) manualssame word and a translator’s rendering
- 1700Grub mtha' (Tibetan doxographies of the four tenet systems)same word and a translator’s rendering
- 1700Legs bshad (miscellaneous aphorism collections, Neyphug/Phurdrup)same word
- 1765Jigme Lingpa, Klong chen snying thig (with Patrul's Kun bzang bla ma'i zhal lung)same word and a translator’s rendering
- Mahamudra — the Great Seals of the departed of existence are not assigned. The line of the E-vowel spiral . Hum. The one who knows. Pa. Pha Ca Ca.klong chen snying thig thugs sgrub dpal chen 'dus pa dang khro rol gyi gtor zlog, 1700, p. 11 · flagged as a term by the translator
- Mahamudra — Great Sealwithout a kingdom, one does not help another and follows only the path of one's own karma. To meditate on the meaning ofKlong chen snying gi thig le’i mkha’ ’gro bde chen rgyal mo’i sgrub gzhung gi ’grel ba rgyud don snang ba, 1700, p. 6 · flagged as a term by the translator
Evidence gate. A work is listed only where a translator marked the word as a term with a gloss, or kept the original word beside the English, on at least one page of a held edition. Vocabulary lists and keywords alone do not count: in a Greek vocabulary list ἡσυχία is the ordinary word for quiet. Up to 3 pages are shown per work, preferring those with a gloss. The vocabulary was built 2026-09-11; the graph on 2026-09-13.