Difference between revisions of "Mahavastu"
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| − | The [[Mahāvastu]] ([[Sanskrit]] for "[[Great Event]]" or "[[Great Story]]") is a text of the [[Lokottaravāda]] school of [[Early Buddhism]]. It describes itself as being a historical preface to the [[Buddhist]] [[monastic]] {{Wiki|codes}} ([[vinaya]]). Over half of the text is composed of [[Jātaka]] and [[Avadāna]] tales, accounts of the earlier lives of the [[Buddha]] and other [[bodhisattvas]]. | + | The [[Mahāvastu]] ([[Sanskrit]] for "[[Great Event]]" or "[[Great Story]]") is a text of the [[Lokottaravāda]] school of [[Early Buddhism]]. It describes itself as [[being]] a historical preface to the [[Buddhist]] [[monastic]] {{Wiki|codes}} ([[vinaya]]). Over half of the text is composed of [[Jātaka]] and [[Avadāna]] tales, accounts of the earlier [[lives]] of the [[Buddha]] and other [[bodhisattvas]]. |
The [[Mahāvastu]] contains prose and verse written in mixed [[Sanskrit]], [[Pali]] and {{Wiki|Prakrit}}. It is believed to have been composed between the 2nd century BCE and 4th century CE. | The [[Mahāvastu]] contains prose and verse written in mixed [[Sanskrit]], [[Pali]] and {{Wiki|Prakrit}}. It is believed to have been composed between the 2nd century BCE and 4th century CE. | ||
[[Pali Canon]] parallels | [[Pali Canon]] parallels | ||
| − | The [[Mahāvastu]]'s [[Jataka]] tales are similar to those of the [[Pali Canon]] although significant differences exist in terms of the tales' details. Other parts of the [[Mahāvastu]] have more direct parallels in the [[Pali Canon]] including from the [[Digha Nikaya]] (DN 19, [[Mahāgovinda Sutta]]), the [[Majjhima Nikaya]] (MN 26, [[Ariyapariyesana Sutta]]; and, MN 36, [[Mahasaccaka Sutta]]), the [[Khuddakapātha]], the [[Dhammapada]] (ch. 8, [[Sahassa Vagga]]; and, ch. 25, [[Bhikkhu Vagga]]), the [[Sutta Nipata]] (Sn 1.3, [[Khaggavisāṇa Sutta]]; Sn 3.1, [[Pabbajjā Sutta]]; and, Sn 3.2, [[Padhāna Sutta]]), the [[Vimanavatthu]] and the [[Buddhavaṃsa]]. | + | The [[Mahāvastu]]'s [[Jataka]] tales are similar to those of the [[Pali Canon]] although significant differences [[exist]] in terms of the tales' details. Other parts of the [[Mahāvastu]] have more [[direct]] parallels in the [[Pali Canon]] including from the [[Digha Nikaya]] (DN 19, [[Mahāgovinda Sutta]]), the [[Majjhima Nikaya]] (MN 26, [[Ariyapariyesana Sutta]]; and, MN 36, [[Mahasaccaka Sutta]]), the [[Khuddakapātha]], the [[Dhammapada]] (ch. 8, [[Sahassa Vagga]]; and, ch. 25, [[Bhikkhu Vagga]]), the [[Sutta Nipata]] (Sn 1.3, [[Khaggavisāṇa Sutta]]; Sn 3.1, [[Pabbajjā Sutta]]; and, Sn 3.2, [[Padhāna Sutta]]), the [[Vimanavatthu]] and the [[Buddhavaṃsa]]. |
| − | Mahayana themes | + | [[Mahayana]] themes |
| − | The [[Mahāvastu]] is considered a primary source for the notion of a transcendent ([[lokottara]]) [[Buddha]], common to all [[Mahāsāṃghika]] schools. According to the [[Mahāvastu]], over the course of many lives, the once-[[human]]-born [[Buddha]] developed {{Wiki|supramundane}} abilities including: a painless birth conceived without intercourse; no need for sleep, food, medicine or bathing although engaging in such "in conformity with the world"; omniscience; and, the ability to "suppress [[karma]]." | + | The [[Mahāvastu]] is considered a [[primary]] source for the notion of a [[transcendent]] ([[lokottara]]) [[Buddha]], common to all [[Mahāsāṃghika]] schools. According to the [[Mahāvastu]], over the course of many [[lives]], the once-[[human]]-born [[Buddha]] developed {{Wiki|supramundane}} {{Wiki|abilities}} including: a painless [[birth]] conceived without intercourse; no need for [[sleep]], [[food]], [[medicine]] or bathing although engaging in such "in conformity with the [[world]]"; [[omniscience]]; and, the ability to "suppress [[karma]]." |
English translations | English translations | ||
| − | Jones, J.J. (trans.) (1949–56). The [[Mahāvastu]] (3 vols.) in Sacred Books of the [[Buddhists]]. London: Luzac & Co. | + | Jones, J.J. (trans.) (1949–56). The [[Mahāvastu]] (3 vols.) in [[Sacred]] [[Books]] of the [[Buddhists]]. {{Wiki|London}}: Luzac & Co. |
</poem> | </poem> | ||
{{W}} | {{W}} | ||
[[Category:Buddha Shakyamuni]] | [[Category:Buddha Shakyamuni]] | ||
[[Category:Dīgha Nikāya]] | [[Category:Dīgha Nikāya]] | ||
Revision as of 01:02, 4 September 2013
The Mahāvastu (Sanskrit for "Great Event" or "Great Story") is a text of the Lokottaravāda school of Early Buddhism. It describes itself as being a historical preface to the Buddhist monastic codes (vinaya). Over half of the text is composed of Jātaka and Avadāna tales, accounts of the earlier lives of the Buddha and other bodhisattvas.
The Mahāvastu contains prose and verse written in mixed Sanskrit, Pali and Prakrit. It is believed to have been composed between the 2nd century BCE and 4th century CE.
Pali Canon parallels
The Mahāvastu's Jataka tales are similar to those of the Pali Canon although significant differences exist in terms of the tales' details. Other parts of the Mahāvastu have more direct parallels in the Pali Canon including from the Digha Nikaya (DN 19, Mahāgovinda Sutta), the Majjhima Nikaya (MN 26, Ariyapariyesana Sutta; and, MN 36, Mahasaccaka Sutta), the Khuddakapātha, the Dhammapada (ch. 8, Sahassa Vagga; and, ch. 25, Bhikkhu Vagga), the Sutta Nipata (Sn 1.3, Khaggavisāṇa Sutta; Sn 3.1, Pabbajjā Sutta; and, Sn 3.2, Padhāna Sutta), the Vimanavatthu and the Buddhavaṃsa.
Mahayana themes
The Mahāvastu is considered a primary source for the notion of a transcendent (lokottara) Buddha, common to all Mahāsāṃghika schools. According to the Mahāvastu, over the course of many lives, the once-human-born Buddha developed supramundane abilities including: a painless birth conceived without intercourse; no need for sleep, food, medicine or bathing although engaging in such "in conformity with the world"; omniscience; and, the ability to "suppress karma."
English translations
Jones, J.J. (trans.) (1949–56). The Mahāvastu (3 vols.) in Sacred Books of the Buddhists. London: Luzac & Co.
