Gangatiriya: 1 definition
Introduction:
Gangatiriya 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 NamesAn arahant. He was a householder named Datta of Savatthi. On discovering that he had, though unwittingly, committed incest with both his mother and sister, he was overcome with anguish and left the world. He adopted a course of austerity, dwelling in a hut of palm leaves on the bank of the Ganges, hence his name. For a whole year he kept silence; in the second year he spoke but once to a woman who, in filling his bowl, spilt the milk, wishing to discover if he were dumb. In the third year he became an arahant.
In the time of Padumuttara Buddha he was a householder, and supplied drinks to monks (Thag.v.127-8; ThagA.i.248f).
It is said (ThagA.195f.; Thig.224f) that after Gangatiriyas conception his mother was driven out of her house in the absence of her husband, her mother in law suspecting her of infidelity. The child was born in a travellers rest house in Rajagaha, whither she had gone in search of her husband, and was taken away by a caravan leader who happened to see it when its mother was away bathing. Later the woman was carried away by a robber chief, by whom she had a daughter. One day, in a quarrel with her husband, she threw her daughter on the bed, wounding her on the head, and fearing her husbands wrath she fled to Rajagaha, where she became a courtesan and later mistress of Gangatiriya, who was unaware of his relationship to her. Some time afterwards he took to wife the robbers daughter as well. One day, while looking at the young wifes head, the older one saw the wound, and as a result of her questions learnt the truth. Filled with dismay, both mother and daughter became nuns, and Gangatiriya left the world as mentioned above.
Gangatiriya is perhaps to be identified with Udakadayaka of the Apadana. (Ap.ii.437; but the verses are also ascribed to Mahagavaccha, ThagA.i.57).
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).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Mahagavaccha, Datta, Udakadayaka, Uppalavanna.
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