Giraggasamajja, Giraggasamajjā: 1 definition
Introduction:
Giraggasamajja 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 NamesA festival held from time to time (kalanukalam) in Rajagaha. (Perhaps elsewhere as well. The BuA. p.102 says it was an annual festival held all over Jambudipa and was as old as Dipankara Buddha; see also J.iii.538). It was held in the open air in the afternoon and was attended by all people of all grades of society from Anga and Magadha. Special seats were prepared for the more eminent of the audience, and the festivities seem to have consisted chiefly of nautch dances (SNA.i.326). According to the Vinaya accounts (Vin.ii.107f, 150; iv.85, 267) there were also singing and music, and the festival was attended not only by laymen, but also by members of religious orders, for otherwise it is unlikely that the Sattarasavaggiyas and the Chabbaggiyas would have been there. Food was provided as well as amusements. Buddhaghosa (Sp.iv.831) explains the name of the festival thus: giraggasamajjo ti girimhi aggasamajjo girissa va aggadese sammajo, and tells us that it was announced for seven days before its commencement, and was held on level ground under a shadow of a hill and outside the city. Perhaps it was originally a pagan religious festival, a survival of old exogamic communistic dancing (See Dial.i.7, n.4; VT.iii.71, n.3).
It was at a Giraggasamajja that Sariputta and Moggallana decided to leave the world (DhA.i.73f.; AA.i.89, etc.).
The Sanskrit equivalent is Girivaggu samagama. AvS.ii.24.
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: Giragga, Maha Moggallana.
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Search found 4 books and stories containing Giraggasamajja, Giraggasamajjā; (plurals include: Giraggasamajjas, Giraggasamajjās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules) (by I. B. Horner)
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Part 1 - Śāriputra at the festival of Giryagrasamāja < [Chapter XVI - The Story of Śāriputra]
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
(2) Mahamoggallana Thera Bojjhanga < [Chapter 3 - Subject Matter of the Second Bhanavara]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)