sprul pa

sprul pa

One of the classes of beings barred from joining the renunciate order. The word {sprul pa} denotes a wide range of phenomena—emanations, apparitions, conjurings, shape-shifting creatures, etc.—all united by their tendency to morph through their own agency or another's. We have therefore translated {sprul pa} according to context as "emanation," "shape-shifter," "trickster," or "conjuring."

See "emanated incarnation."

See "shape-shifter."

This refers to the miraculous power of the Buddha and bodhisattvas of a certain stage to emanate apparently living beings in order to develop and teach living beings. This power reaches its culmination in the nirmāṇakayā, the "incarnation body," which is one of the three bodies of buddhahood and includes all physical forms of all buddhas, including Śākyamuni, whose sole function as incarnations is the development and liberation of living beings.

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