Difference between revisions of "Mahapajapati"
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| − | Ap.ii.538 says her father was Añjana Sakka and her mother Sulakkhanā. Mhv.ii.18 says her father was Añjana and her mother Yasodharā. Dandapāni and Suppabuddha were her brothers; cp. Dpv. xviii.7f. | + | Ap.ii.538 says her father was Añjana Sakka and her mother Sulakkhanā. Mhv.ii.18 says her father was Añjana and her mother [[Yasodharā]]. Dandapāni and [[Suppabuddha]] were her brothers; cp. Dpv. xviii.7f. |
| − | At the birth of each sister, interpreters of bodily marks prophesied that their children would be cakkavattins. King Suddhodana married both the sisters, and when Mahāmāyā died, seven days after the birth of the Buddha, Pajāpati looked after the Buddha and nursed him. She was the mother of Nanda, but it is said that she gave her own son to nurses and herself nursed the Buddha. The Buddha was at Vesāli when Suddhodana died, and Pajāpatī decided to renounce the world, and waited for an opportunity to ask the permission of the Buddha. | + | At the [[birth]] of each sister, interpreters of [[bodily]] marks prophesied that their children would be cakkavattins. [[King]] [[Suddhodana]] married both the sisters, and when [[Mahāmāyā]] [[died]], seven days after the [[birth]] of the [[Buddha]], [[Pajāpati]] looked after the [[Buddha]] and nursed him. She was the mother of [[Nanda]], but it is said that she gave her own son to nurses and herself nursed the [[Buddha]]. The [[Buddha]] was at [[Vesāli]] when [[Suddhodana]] [[died]], and Pajāpatī decided to renounce the [[world]], and waited for an opportunity to ask the [[permission]] of the [[Buddha]]. |
| − | Pajāpatī was already a sotāpanna. She attained this eminence when the Buddha first visited his father's palace and preached the Mahādhammapāla Jātaka (DhA.i.97). | + | Pajāpatī was already a [[sotāpanna]]. She attained this eminence when the [[Buddha]] first visited his father's palace and preached the Mahādhammapāla [[Jātaka]] (DhA.i.97). |
| − | Her opportunity came when the Buddha visited Kapilavatthu to settle the dispute between the Sākiyans and the Koliyans as to the right to take water from the river Rohinī. When the dispute had been settled, the Buddha preached the Kalahavivāda Sutta, and five hundred young Sākiyan men joined the Order. Their wives, led by Pajāpatī, went to the Buddha and asked leave to be ordained as nuns. This leave the Buddha refused, and he went on to Vesāli. But Pajāpatī and her companions, nothing daunted, had barbers to cut off their hair, and donning yellow robes, followed the Buddha to Vesāli on foot. They arrived with wounded feet at the Buddha's monastery and repeated their request. The Buddha again refused, but Ananda interceded on their behalf and their request was granted, subject to eight strict conditions. | + | Her opportunity came when the [[Buddha]] visited [[Kapilavatthu]] to settle the dispute between the [[Sākiyans]] and the Koliyans as to the right to take [[water]] from the [[river]] Rohinī. When the dispute had been settled, the [[Buddha]] preached the Kalahavivāda [[Sutta]], and five hundred young [[Sākiyan]] men joined the [[Order]]. Their wives, led by Pajāpatī, went to the [[Buddha]] and asked leave to be [[ordained]] as [[nuns]]. This leave the [[Buddha]] refused, and he went on to [[Vesāli]]. But Pajāpatī and her companions, [[nothing]] daunted, had barbers to cut off their [[hair]], and donning yellow [[robes]], followed the [[Buddha]] to [[Vesāli]] on foot. They arrived with wounded feet at the [[Buddha's]] [[monastery]] and repeated their request. The [[Buddha]] again refused, but [[Ananda]] interceded on their behalf and their request was granted, [[subject]] to eight strict [[conditions]]. |
| − | For details see Vin.ii.253ff.; also A.iv.274ff. There was some question, which arose later as to the procedure of Pajāpatī's ordination, which was not formal. When the nuns discovered this some of them refused to hold the uposatha with her. But the Buddha declared that he himself had ordained her and that all was in order (DhA.iv.149). Her upasampadā consisted in acquiescing in the eight conditions laid down for nuns (Sp.i.242). | + | For details see Vin.ii.253ff.; also A.iv.274ff. There was some question, which arose later as to the procedure of Pajāpatī's [[ordination]], which was not formal. When the [[nuns]] discovered this some of them refused to hold the [[uposatha]] with her. But the [[Buddha]] declared that he himself had [[ordained]] her and that all was in [[order]] (DhA.iv.149). Her [[upasampadā]] consisted in acquiescing in the eight [[conditions]] laid down for [[nuns]] (Sp.i.242). |
| − | After her ordination, Pajāpatī came to the Buddha and worshipped him. The Buddha preached to her and gave her a subject for meditation. With this topic she developed insight and soon after won arahantship, while her five hundred companions attained to the same after listening to the Nandakovāda Sutta. Later, at an assembly of monks and nuns in Jetavana, the Buddha declared Pajāpatī chief of those who had experience (rattaññūnam) (A.i.25). Not long after, while at Vesāli, she realized that her life had come to an end. She was one hundred and twenty years old; she took leave of the Buddha, performed various miracles, and then died, her five hundred companions dying with her. It is said that the marvels which attended her cremation rites were second only to those of the Buddha.It was in the time of Padumuttara Buddha that Pajāpatī made her resolve to gain eminence. She then belonged to a clansman's family in Hamsavatī, and, hearing the Buddha assign the foremost place in experience to a certain nun, wished for similar recognition herself, doing many good deeds to that end. After many births she was born once more at Benares, forewoman among five hundred slave girls. When the rains drew near, five Pacceka Buddhas came from Nandamūlaka to Isipatana seeking lodgings. Pajāpatī saw them after the Treasurer had refused them any assistance, and, after consultation with her fellow slaves, they persuaded their several husbands to erect five huts for the Pacceka Buddhas during the rainy season and they provided them with all requisites. At the end of the rains they gave three robes to each Pacceka Buddha. After that she was born in a weaver's village near Benares, and again ministered, this time to five hundred Pacceka Buddhas, sons of Padumavatī (ThigA.140ff.; AA.i.185f.; Ap.ii.529 43). | + | After her [[ordination]], Pajāpatī came to the [[Buddha]] and worshipped him. The [[Buddha]] preached to her and gave her a [[subject]] for [[meditation]]. With this topic she developed [[insight]] and soon after won [[arahantship]], while her five hundred companions attained to the same after listening to the Nandakovāda [[Sutta]]. Later, at an assembly of [[monks and nuns]] in [[Jetavana]], the [[Buddha]] declared Pajāpatī chief of those who had [[experience]] (rattaññūnam) (A.i.25). Not long after, while at [[Vesāli]], she [[realized]] that her [[life]] had come to an end. She was one hundred and twenty years old; she took leave of the [[Buddha]], performed various [[miracles]], and then [[died]], her five hundred companions dying with her. It is said that the marvels which attended her [[cremation]] [[rites]] were second only to those of the Buddha.It was in the [[time]] of [[Padumuttara Buddha]] that Pajāpatī made her resolve to gain eminence. She then belonged to a clansman's family in Hamsavatī, and, [[hearing]] the [[Buddha]] assign the [[foremost]] place in [[experience]] to a certain [[nun]], wished for similar [[recognition]] herself, doing many [[good deeds]] to that end. After many [[births]] she was born once more at [[Benares]], forewoman among five hundred slave girls. When the rains drew near, five [[Pacceka Buddhas]] came from Nandamūlaka to [[Isipatana]] seeking lodgings. Pajāpatī saw them after the Treasurer had refused them any assistance, and, after consultation with her fellow slaves, they persuaded their several husbands to erect five huts for the [[Pacceka Buddhas]] during the rainy season and they provided them with all requisites. At the end of the rains they gave three [[robes]] to each [[Pacceka Buddha]]. After that she was born in a weaver's village near [[Benares]], and again ministered, this [[time]] to five hundred [[Pacceka Buddhas]], sons of Padumavatī (ThigA.140ff.; AA.i.185f.; Ap.ii.529 43). |
| − | It is said that once Pajāpatī made a robe for the Buddha of wonderful material and marvellously elaborate. But when it came to be offered to the Buddha he refused it, and suggested it should be given to the Order as a whole. Pajāpatī was greatly disappointed, and Ananda intervened. But the Buddha explained that his suggestion was for the greater good of Pajāpatī, and also as an example to those who might wish to make similar gifts in the future. This was the occasion for the preaching of the Dakkhināvibhanga Sutta (M.iii.253ff.; MA.ii.1001ff.; this incident is referred to in the Milinda p.240). The Buddha had a great love for Pajāpatī, and when she lay ill, as there were no monks to visit her and preach to her - that being against the rule - the Buddha amended the rule and went himself to preach to her (Vin.iv.56). | + | It is said that once Pajāpatī made a robe for the [[Buddha]] of wonderful material and marvellously elaborate. But when it came to be [[offered]] to the [[Buddha]] he refused it, and suggested it should be given to the [[Order]] as a whole. Pajāpatī was greatly disappointed, and [[Ananda]] intervened. But the [[Buddha]] explained that his suggestion was for the greater good of Pajāpatī, and also as an [[example]] to those who might wish to make similar gifts in the future. This was the occasion for the preaching of the Dakkhināvibhanga [[Sutta]] (M.iii.253ff.; MA.ii.1001ff.; this incident is referred to in the [[Milinda]] p.240). The [[Buddha]] had a great [[love]] for Pajāpatī, and when she lay ill, as there were no [[monks]] to visit her and preach to her - that [[being]] against the rule - the [[Buddha]] amended the rule and went himself to preach to her (Vin.iv.56). |
| − | Pajāpatī's name appears several times in the Jātakas. She was the mother monkey in the Cūla Nandiya Jātaka (J.ii.202), Candā in the Culla Dhammapāla (J.iii.182), and Bhikkhudāyikā (or Bhikkhudāsikā) daughter of Kiki, king of Benares (J.vi.481). | + | Pajāpatī's name appears several times in the [[Jātakas]]. She was the mother monkey in the Cūla Nandiya [[Jātaka]] (J.ii.202), Candā in the Culla [[Dhammapāla]] (J.iii.182), and Bhikkhudāyikā (or Bhikkhudāsikā) daughter of Kiki, [[king]] of [[Benares]] (J.vi.481). |
| − | Mahāpajāpatī was so called because, at her birth, augerers prophesied that she would have a large following; Gotamī was her gotta name (MA.i.1001; cp. AA.ii.774). | + | [[Mahāpajāpatī]] was so called because, at her [[birth]], augerers prophesied that she would have a large following; Gotamī was her gotta name (MA.i.1001; cp. AA.ii.774). |
| − | There is a story related of a nurse employed by Pajāpatī and born in Devadaha. She renounced the world with Pajāpatī, but for twenty five years was harassed by thoughts of lust till, at last, she heard Dhammadinnā preach. She then practiced meditation and became an arahant. ThigA.75f. | + | There is a story related of a nurse employed by Pajāpatī and born in [[Devadaha]]. She renounced the [[world]] with Pajāpatī, but for twenty five years was harassed by [[thoughts]] of [[lust]] till, at last, she [[heard]] [[Dhammadinnā]] preach. She then practiced [[meditation]] and became an [[arahant]]. ThigA.75f. |
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/maha/mahapajapati_gotami.htm what-buddha-said.net] | [http://what-buddha-said.net/library/DPPN/maha/mahapajapati_gotami.htm what-buddha-said.net] | ||
Revision as of 02:20, 4 September 2013
Ap.ii.538 says her father was Añjana Sakka and her mother Sulakkhanā. Mhv.ii.18 says her father was Añjana and her mother Yasodharā. Dandapāni and Suppabuddha were her brothers; cp. Dpv. xviii.7f.
At the birth of each sister, interpreters of bodily marks prophesied that their children would be cakkavattins. King Suddhodana married both the sisters, and when Mahāmāyā died, seven days after the birth of the Buddha, Pajāpati looked after the Buddha and nursed him. She was the mother of Nanda, but it is said that she gave her own son to nurses and herself nursed the Buddha. The Buddha was at Vesāli when Suddhodana died, and Pajāpatī decided to renounce the world, and waited for an opportunity to ask the permission of the Buddha.
Pajāpatī was already a sotāpanna. She attained this eminence when the Buddha first visited his father's palace and preached the Mahādhammapāla Jātaka (DhA.i.97).
Her opportunity came when the Buddha visited Kapilavatthu to settle the dispute between the Sākiyans and the Koliyans as to the right to take water from the river Rohinī. When the dispute had been settled, the Buddha preached the Kalahavivāda Sutta, and five hundred young Sākiyan men joined the Order. Their wives, led by Pajāpatī, went to the Buddha and asked leave to be ordained as nuns. This leave the Buddha refused, and he went on to Vesāli. But Pajāpatī and her companions, nothing daunted, had barbers to cut off their hair, and donning yellow robes, followed the Buddha to Vesāli on foot. They arrived with wounded feet at the Buddha's monastery and repeated their request. The Buddha again refused, but Ananda interceded on their behalf and their request was granted, subject to eight strict conditions.
For details see Vin.ii.253ff.; also A.iv.274ff. There was some question, which arose later as to the procedure of Pajāpatī's ordination, which was not formal. When the nuns discovered this some of them refused to hold the uposatha with her. But the Buddha declared that he himself had ordained her and that all was in order (DhA.iv.149). Her upasampadā consisted in acquiescing in the eight conditions laid down for nuns (Sp.i.242).
After her ordination, Pajāpatī came to the Buddha and worshipped him. The Buddha preached to her and gave her a subject for meditation. With this topic she developed insight and soon after won arahantship, while her five hundred companions attained to the same after listening to the Nandakovāda Sutta. Later, at an assembly of monks and nuns in Jetavana, the Buddha declared Pajāpatī chief of those who had experience (rattaññūnam) (A.i.25). Not long after, while at Vesāli, she realized that her life had come to an end. She was one hundred and twenty years old; she took leave of the Buddha, performed various miracles, and then died, her five hundred companions dying with her. It is said that the marvels which attended her cremation rites were second only to those of the Buddha.It was in the time of Padumuttara Buddha that Pajāpatī made her resolve to gain eminence. She then belonged to a clansman's family in Hamsavatī, and, hearing the Buddha assign the foremost place in experience to a certain nun, wished for similar recognition herself, doing many good deeds to that end. After many births she was born once more at Benares, forewoman among five hundred slave girls. When the rains drew near, five Pacceka Buddhas came from Nandamūlaka to Isipatana seeking lodgings. Pajāpatī saw them after the Treasurer had refused them any assistance, and, after consultation with her fellow slaves, they persuaded their several husbands to erect five huts for the Pacceka Buddhas during the rainy season and they provided them with all requisites. At the end of the rains they gave three robes to each Pacceka Buddha. After that she was born in a weaver's village near Benares, and again ministered, this time to five hundred Pacceka Buddhas, sons of Padumavatī (ThigA.140ff.; AA.i.185f.; Ap.ii.529 43).
It is said that once Pajāpatī made a robe for the Buddha of wonderful material and marvellously elaborate. But when it came to be offered to the Buddha he refused it, and suggested it should be given to the Order as a whole. Pajāpatī was greatly disappointed, and Ananda intervened. But the Buddha explained that his suggestion was for the greater good of Pajāpatī, and also as an example to those who might wish to make similar gifts in the future. This was the occasion for the preaching of the Dakkhināvibhanga Sutta (M.iii.253ff.; MA.ii.1001ff.; this incident is referred to in the Milinda p.240). The Buddha had a great love for Pajāpatī, and when she lay ill, as there were no monks to visit her and preach to her - that being against the rule - the Buddha amended the rule and went himself to preach to her (Vin.iv.56).
Pajāpatī's name appears several times in the Jātakas. She was the mother monkey in the Cūla Nandiya Jātaka (J.ii.202), Candā in the Culla Dhammapāla (J.iii.182), and Bhikkhudāyikā (or Bhikkhudāsikā) daughter of Kiki, king of Benares (J.vi.481).
Mahāpajāpatī was so called because, at her birth, augerers prophesied that she would have a large following; Gotamī was her gotta name (MA.i.1001; cp. AA.ii.774).
There is a story related of a nurse employed by Pajāpatī and born in Devadaha. She renounced the world with Pajāpatī, but for twenty five years was harassed by thoughts of lust till, at last, she heard Dhammadinnā preach. She then practiced meditation and became an arahant. ThigA.75f.
