Difference between revisions of "Ananda"
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<poem> | <poem> | ||
| − | '''Ananda''' (''kun dga' bo''). One of the ten close disciples of the Buddha; the Buddha's personal attendant, who recited the sutras at the First Council and served as the second patriarch in the oral transmission of the Dharma. | + | '''[[Ananda]]''' (''kun dga' [[bo]]''). One of the ten close [[disciples]] of the [[Buddha]]; the [[Buddha's]] personal attendant, who recited the [[sutras]] at the [[First Council]] and served as the second [[patriarch]] in the [[oral transmission]] of [[the Dharma]]. |
| − | '''Ānanda''' was one of many principal disciples and a devout attendant of [[The Buddha]]. Amongst [[The Buddha]]'s many disciples, Ā[[Nanda]] had the most retentive memory and most of the suttas in the [[Sutta Pitaka]] are attributed to his recollection of [[The Buddha]]'s teachings during the First Buddhist [[Council]]. For that, he was known as the Guardian of [[the Dharma]]. According to [[The Buddha]] every [[Buddha]] in the past and to come will have two chief disciples and one attendant during his ministry. In the case of [[Gautama Buddha]] the pair of disciples were [[Sariputta]] and Mahamoggallana and the attendant Ā[[Nanda]]. The word 'Ā[[Nanda]]' means 'bliss' in [[Pali]], [[Sanskrit]] as well as other Indian languages. It is a popular Buddhist and Hindu name. In MN 90, Kannakatthala [[Sutta]], Ananda is identified with the meaning of his name: | + | '''[[Ānanda]]''' was one of many principal [[disciples]] and a devout attendant of [[The Buddha]]. Amongst [[The Buddha]]'s many [[disciples]], Ā[[Nanda]] had the most retentive [[memory]] and most of the [[suttas]] in the [[Sutta Pitaka]] are attributed to his [[recollection]] of [[The Buddha]]'s teachings during the First [[Buddhist]] [[Council]]. For that, he was known as the Guardian of [[the Dharma]]. According to [[The Buddha]] every [[Buddha]] in the past and to come will have two [[chief disciples]] and one attendant during his ministry. In the case of [[Gautama Buddha]] the pair of [[disciples]] were [[Sariputta]] and [[Mahamoggallana]] and the attendant Ā[[Nanda]]. The [[word]] 'Ā[[Nanda]]' means '[[bliss]]' in [[Pali]], [[Sanskrit]] as well as other [[Indian]] languages. It is a popular [[Buddhist]] and [[Hindu]] name. In MN 90, Kannakatthala [[Sutta]], [[Ananda]] is identified with the meaning of his name: |
| − | Then King Pasenadi [[Kosala]] said to the Blessed One, "[[Lord]], what is the name of this [[Monk]]?" | + | Then [[King]] [[Pasenadi]] [[Kosala]] said to the [[Blessed One]], "[[Lord]], what is the name of this [[Monk]]?" |
| − | "His name is Ananda ([[Joy]]), great king." | + | "His name is [[Ananda]] ([[Joy]]), great [[king]]." |
"What a [[Joy]] he is! What a true [[Joy]]!..." | "What a [[Joy]] he is! What a true [[Joy]]!..." | ||
| − | Ā[[Nanda]] was the first cousin of [[The Buddha]] by their fathers, and was devoted to him. In the twentieth year of [[The Buddha]]'s ministry, he became [[The Buddha]]'s personal attendant, accompanying him on most of his wanderings and taking the part of interlocutor in many of the recorded dialogues. He is the subject of a special panegyric delivered by [[The Buddha]] just before [[The Buddha]]'s Parinibbana (the Mahaparinibbana [[Sutta]] ([[Digha Nikaya]] 16)); it is a panegyric for a man who is kindly, unselfish, popular, and thoughtful toward others. In the long list of the disciples given in the [[Anguttara Nikaya]] (i. xiv.) where each of them is declared to be the chief in some quality, Ā[[Nanda]] is mentioned five times (more often than any other). He was named chief in conduct, in service to others, and in [[Power]] of memory. [[The Buddha]] sometimes asked him to substitute for him as teacher and then later stated that he himself would not have presented the teachings in any other way. | + | Ā[[Nanda]] was the first cousin of [[The Buddha]] by their fathers, and was devoted to him. In the twentieth year of [[The Buddha]]'s ministry, he became [[The Buddha]]'s personal attendant, accompanying him on most of his wanderings and taking the part of interlocutor in many of the recorded dialogues. He is [[the subject]] of a special panegyric delivered by [[The Buddha]] just before [[The Buddha]]'s [[Parinibbana]] (the Mahaparinibbana [[Sutta]] ([[Digha Nikaya]] 16)); it is a panegyric for a man who is kindly, [[unselfish]], popular, and thoughtful toward others. In the long list of the [[disciples]] given in the [[Anguttara Nikaya]] (i. xiv.) where each of them is declared to be the chief in some quality, Ā[[Nanda]] is mentioned five times (more often than any other). He was named chief in conduct, in service to others, and in [[Power]] of [[memory]]. [[The Buddha]] sometimes asked him to substitute for him as [[teacher]] and then later stated that he himself would not have presented the teachings in any other way. |
The First [[Council]] | The First [[Council]] | ||
| − | Because he attended [[The Buddha]] personally and often traveled with him, Ā[[Nanda]] overheard and memorized many of the discourses [[The Buddha]] delivered to various audiences. Therefore, he is often called the [[Disciple]] of [[The Buddha]] who "heard much". At the First Buddhist [[Council]], convened shortly after [[The Buddha]] died, Ananda was called upon to recite many of the discourses that later became the [[Sutta Pitaka]] of the [[Pāli Canon]]. Despite his long association with and close proximity to [[The Buddha]], Ananda was only a stream-winner prior to [[The Buddha]]’s [[Death]]. However, [[Buddha]] said that the purity of his [[Heart]] was so great that, "Should Ananda die without being fully liberated; he would be king of the [[Gods]] seven times because of the purity of his [[Heart]], or be king of the Indian subcontinent seven times. But Udayi, Ananda will experience final [[Liberation]] in this very [[Life]]." Prior to the First Buddhist [[Council]], it was proposed that Ananda not be permitted to attend on the grounds that he was not yet an [[Arahant]]. According to legend, this prompted Ananda to focus his efforts on the attainment of [[Nibbana]] and he was able to reach the specified level of attainment before the calling of the conclave. In contrast to most of the figures depicted in the [[Pāli Canon]], Ananda is presented as an imperfect, if sympathetic, figure. He mourns the deaths of both [[Sariputta]], with whom he enjoyed a close [[Friendship]], and [[The Buddha]]. A verse of the Theragatha reveals his loneliness and isolation following the [[Parinirvana]] of [[The Buddha]]. In the [[Zen]] tradition, Ananda is considered to be the second Indian [[Patriarch]]. He is often depicted with [[The Buddha]] alongside Mahakashyapa, the first Indian [[Patriarch]]. | + | Because he attended [[The Buddha]] personally and often traveled with him, Ā[[Nanda]] overheard and memorized many of the discourses [[The Buddha]] delivered to various audiences. Therefore, he is often called the [[Disciple]] of [[The Buddha]] who "[[heard]] much". At the First [[Buddhist]] [[Council]], convened shortly after [[The Buddha]] [[died]], [[Ananda]] was called upon to recite many of the discourses that later became the [[Sutta Pitaka]] of the [[Pāli Canon]]. Despite his long association with and close proximity to [[The Buddha]], [[Ananda]] was only a [[stream-winner]] prior to [[The Buddha]]’s [[Death]]. However, [[Buddha]] said that the [[purity]] of his [[Heart]] was so great that, "Should [[Ananda]] [[die]] without [[being]] fully liberated; he would be [[king]] of the [[Gods]] seven times because of the [[purity]] of his [[Heart]], or be [[king]] of the [[Indian]] subcontinent seven times. But Udayi, [[Ananda]] will [[experience]] final [[Liberation]] in this very [[Life]]." Prior to the First [[Buddhist]] [[Council]], it was proposed that [[Ananda]] not be permitted to attend on the grounds that he was not yet an [[Arahant]]. According to legend, this prompted [[Ananda]] to focus his efforts on the [[attainment]] of [[Nibbana]] and he was able to reach the specified level of [[attainment]] before the calling of the conclave. In contrast to most of the figures depicted in the [[Pāli Canon]], [[Ananda]] is presented as an imperfect, if sympathetic, figure. He mourns the [[deaths]] of both [[Sariputta]], with whom he enjoyed a close [[Friendship]], and [[The Buddha]]. A verse of the [[Theragatha]] reveals his loneliness and isolation following the [[Parinirvana]] of [[The Buddha]]. In the [[Zen]] [[tradition]], [[Ananda]] is considered to be the second [[Indian]] [[Patriarch]]. He is often depicted with [[The Buddha]] alongside [[Mahakashyapa]], the first [[Indian]] [[Patriarch]]. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
Revision as of 02:28, 4 September 2013
Ananda (kun dga' bo). One of the ten close disciples of the Buddha; the Buddha's personal attendant, who recited the sutras at the First Council and served as the second patriarch in the oral transmission of the Dharma.
Ānanda was one of many principal disciples and a devout attendant of The Buddha. Amongst The Buddha's many disciples, ĀNanda had the most retentive memory and most of the suttas in the Sutta Pitaka are attributed to his recollection of The Buddha's teachings during the First Buddhist Council. For that, he was known as the Guardian of the Dharma. According to The Buddha every Buddha in the past and to come will have two chief disciples and one attendant during his ministry. In the case of Gautama Buddha the pair of disciples were Sariputta and Mahamoggallana and the attendant ĀNanda. The word 'ĀNanda' means 'bliss' in Pali, Sanskrit as well as other Indian languages. It is a popular Buddhist and Hindu name. In MN 90, Kannakatthala Sutta, Ananda is identified with the meaning of his name:
Then King Pasenadi Kosala said to the Blessed One, "Lord, what is the name of this Monk?"
"His name is Ananda (Joy), great king."
"What a Joy he is! What a true Joy!..."
ĀNanda was the first cousin of The Buddha by their fathers, and was devoted to him. In the twentieth year of The Buddha's ministry, he became The Buddha's personal attendant, accompanying him on most of his wanderings and taking the part of interlocutor in many of the recorded dialogues. He is the subject of a special panegyric delivered by The Buddha just before The Buddha's Parinibbana (the Mahaparinibbana Sutta (Digha Nikaya 16)); it is a panegyric for a man who is kindly, unselfish, popular, and thoughtful toward others. In the long list of the disciples given in the Anguttara Nikaya (i. xiv.) where each of them is declared to be the chief in some quality, ĀNanda is mentioned five times (more often than any other). He was named chief in conduct, in service to others, and in Power of memory. The Buddha sometimes asked him to substitute for him as teacher and then later stated that he himself would not have presented the teachings in any other way.
The First Council
Because he attended The Buddha personally and often traveled with him, ĀNanda overheard and memorized many of the discourses The Buddha delivered to various audiences. Therefore, he is often called the Disciple of The Buddha who "heard much". At the First Buddhist Council, convened shortly after The Buddha died, Ananda was called upon to recite many of the discourses that later became the Sutta Pitaka of the Pāli Canon. Despite his long association with and close proximity to The Buddha, Ananda was only a stream-winner prior to The Buddha’s Death. However, Buddha said that the purity of his Heart was so great that, "Should Ananda die without being fully liberated; he would be king of the Gods seven times because of the purity of his Heart, or be king of the Indian subcontinent seven times. But Udayi, Ananda will experience final Liberation in this very Life." Prior to the First Buddhist Council, it was proposed that Ananda not be permitted to attend on the grounds that he was not yet an Arahant. According to legend, this prompted Ananda to focus his efforts on the attainment of Nibbana and he was able to reach the specified level of attainment before the calling of the conclave. In contrast to most of the figures depicted in the Pāli Canon, Ananda is presented as an imperfect, if sympathetic, figure. He mourns the deaths of both Sariputta, with whom he enjoyed a close Friendship, and The Buddha. A verse of the Theragatha reveals his loneliness and isolation following the Parinirvana of The Buddha. In the Zen tradition, Ananda is considered to be the second Indian Patriarch. He is often depicted with The Buddha alongside Mahakashyapa, the first Indian Patriarch.
