Ekuddana, Ekuddaniya: 1 definition

Introduction:

Ekuddana 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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

An arahant. He was the son of a wealthy brahmin of Savatthi, and being convinced of the Buddhas majesty, as seen at the presentation of the Jetavana, he entered the Order. He dwelt in the forest fulfilling his novitiate, and once came to the Buddha to learn of him. The Buddha, seeing Sariputta near him wrapt in contemplation, uttered a stanza, that to the monk of lofty thoughts and heedful, sorrow comes not (See Dhammapada, 259). The monk learnt this stanza, and returning to the forest, ever and anon reflected on it. He thus came to be called Ekuddaniya. One day he obtained insight and became an arahant. Later, when Ananda asked him to preach a sermon, it was this stanza that he took as his text.

We are told that in the time of Atthadassi Buddha he was a chief of the yakkhas, and when the Buddha died he went about lamenting that he had not made use of his opportunities. A disciple of the Buddha, named Sagara, meeting him, advised him to make offering to the Buddhas thupa. In Kassapas time he was a householder, and heard the Buddha utter the stanza mentioned above. He entered the Order, and for twenty thousand years practised meditation, repeating the stanza, but gained no attainment (ThagA.i.153f; Thag.v.68).

It is said (DhA.iii.384f) that on fast days Ekuddana, alone in the forest, sounded the call for the deities of the forest to attend the preaching of the Law, and uttered his stanza, whereupon the deities made loud applause. One fast day two monks, versed in the Tipitaka, visited Ekuddana with a retinue of five hundred each. Seeing them, Ekuddanas heart was glad and he said: Today we will listen to the Law. On being asked for an explanation, he described how, when the Dhamma was expounded, the forest grove was filled with the applause of devas. Thereupon one of the Elders recited the Dhamma and the other expounded it, but there was no sound. In order to dispel their doubts, Ekuddana took his seat and pronounced his one stanza. The sound of the plaudits of the devas filled the forest. The Elders were greatly offended at the conduct of the devas and complained to the Buddha. The Buddha explained to them that the important thing was not the amount of knowledge but the quality of the understanding.

It is noteworthy that the verse, attributed above to Ekuddaniya, occurs in the Vinaya (Vin.iv.54) as having been constantly used by Culapanthaka. Whenever it was his turn to preach to the nuns at Savatthi they expected no effective lesson, since he always repeated the same stanza, namely, that which is above attributed to Ekuddaniya. The thera, bearing of their remarks, forthwith gives an exhibition of his iddhi power and of his knowledge of the Dhamma, thereby winning their tribute of admiration.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

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