Abbhuta: 2 definitions

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Abbhuta means something in Buddhism, Pali. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

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[«previous next»] — Abbhuta in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

abbhuta : (adj.) wonderful; marvelous. (nt.), a wonder; a marvel; a bet.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

1) Abbhuta, 2 (nt.) (= abbhuta1 in the sense of invoking strange powers in gambling, thus being under direct spell of the “unknown”) a bet, a wager, only in phrase abbhutaṃ karoti (sahassena) to make a bet or to bet (a thousand, i. e. kahāpaṇa’s or pieces of money) Vin.III, 138; IV, 5; J.I, 191; V, 427; VI, 192; PvA.151; & in phrase pañcahi sahassehi abbhutaṃ hotu J.VI, 193. (Page 60)

2) Abbhuta, 1 (adj. nt.) (*Sk. adbhuta which appears to be constructed from the Pāli & offers like its companion *āścarya (acchariya abbhuta see below) serious difficulties as to etym. The most probable solution is that P. abbhuta is a secondary adj.-formation from abbhuṃ which in itself is nt. of abbha = Vedic abhva (see etym. under abbhāmatta and cp. abbhu, abbhuṃ & J.P.T.S. 1889, 201). In meaning abbhuta is identical with Vedic abhva contrary to what usually happens, i. e. striking, abnormal, gruesome, horrible etc.; & that its significance as a + bhū (“unreal?”) is felt in the background is also evident from the traditional etym. of the Pāli Commentators (see below). See also acchariya) terrifying, astonishing; strange, exceptional, puzzling, extraordinary, marvellous, supernormal. Described as a term of surprise & consternation (vimhay’āvahass’adhivacanaṃ DA.I, 43 & VvA.329) & expld. as “something that is not” or “has not been before”, viz. abhūtaṃ ThA.233; abhūta-pubbatāya abbhutaṃ VvA.191, 329; abhūta-pubbaṃ DA.I, 43. — 1. (adj.) wonderful, marvellous etc. Sn.681 (kiṃ °ṃ, combd. with lomahaṃsana); J.IV, 355 (id.); Th.2, 316 (abbhutaṃ vata vācaṃ bhāsasi = acchariyaṃ ThA.233); Vv 449 (°dassaneyya); Sdhp.345, 496. — 2. (nt.) the wonderful, a wonder, marvel S.IV, 371, also in °dhamma (see Cpd.). Very frequent in combn. with acchariyaṃ and a part. of exclamation, viz, acchariyaṃ bho abbhutaṃ bho wonderful indeed & beyond comprehension, strange & stupefying D.I, 206; acch. vata bho abbh. vata bho D.I, 60; acch. bhante abbh. A.II, 50; aho acch. aho abbh. J.I, 88; acch. vata abbh. vata Vv 8316. — Thus also in phrase acchariyā abbhutā dhammā wonderful & extraordinary signs or things M.III, 118, 125; A.II, 130; IV, 198; Miln.8; and in acchariya-abbhutacitta-jāta dumbfounded & surprised J.I, 88; DhA.IV, 52; PvA.6, 50.

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context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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