Isipatana, Isi-patana: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Isipatana means something in Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India. 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 Names1. Isipatana - An open space near Benares, the site of the famous Migadaya or Deer Park. It was eighteen leagues from Uruvela, and when Gotama gave up his austere penances his friends, the Pancavaggiya monks, left him and went to Isipatana (J.i.68). After his Enlightenment the Buddha, leaving Uruvela, joined them in Isipatana, and it was there that he preached his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, on the full moon day of Asalha. Vin.i.10f.; on this occasion 80 kotis of Brahmas and innumerable gods attained the comprehension of the Truth (Mil.30); (130 kotis says Mil.350). The Lal. (528) gives details of the stages of this journey. The Buddha, having no money with which to pay the ferryman, crossed the Ganges through the air. When Bimbisara heard of this, he abolished the toll for ascetics.
There, also, the Buddha spent his first rainy season (BuA., p.3).
All the Buddhas preach their first sermon at the Migadaya in Isipatana; it is one of the four avijahitatthanani (unchanging spots), the others being the bodhi pallanka, the spot at the gate of Sankassa, where the Buddha first touches the earth on his return from Tavatimsa, and the site of the bed in the Gandhakuti in Jetavana (BuA.247; DA.ii.424).
Isipatana is mentioned by the Buddha as one of the four places of pilgrimage which his devout followers should visit (D.ii.141).
Isipatana was so called because sages, on their way through the air (from the Himalayas), alight here or start from here on their aerial flight (isayo ettha nipatanti uppatanti cati Isipatanam).
The Migadaya was so called because deer were allowed to roam about there unmolested.
Pacceka Buddhas, having spent seven days in contemplation in the Gandhamadana, bathe in the Anotatta Lake and come to the habitations of men through the air, in search of alms. They descend to earth at Isipatana (MA.i.387; AA.i.347 adds that sages also held the uposatha at Isipatana).
Sometimes the Pacceka Buddhas come to Isipatana from Nandamulaka pabbhara (MA.ii.1019; PsA.437-8).
Several other incidents connected with the Buddha, besides the preaching of the first sermon, are mentioned as having taken place in Isipatana. Here it was that one day at dawn Yasa came to the Buddha and became an arahant (Vin.i.15f). It was at Isipatana, too, that the rule was passed prohibiting the use of sandals made of talipot leaves (Vin.i.189). On another occasion when the Buddha was staying at Isipatana, having gone there from Rajagaha, he instituted rules forbidding the use of certain kinds of flesh, including human flesh (Vin.i.216ff.; the rule regarding human flesh was necessary because Suppiya made broth out of her own flesh for a sick monk). Twice, while the Buddha was at Isipatana, Mara visited him but had to go away discomfited (S.i.105f).
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).
India history and geography
Source: archive.org: Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 1963Isipatana or Isipatanavihāra is the name of an ancient building that once existed near Polonnaruva (Polonnaruwa), Ceylon (Sri Lanka).—Parakkamabāhu I also built:—(i) Kapila or Kapilavastu-vihāra; (ii) Dakṣiṇārāma; (iii) Pacchimārāma; (iv) the Suluvādenige of gold; (v) Purvārāma; (vi) Atubadalena-vihāra; (vii) Isipatana-vihāra in the Rājavesibhujaṅga suburb; (viii) Kusinārā-vihāra in the Sīhapura suburb; (ix) Veluvana-vihāra in the Vijita suburb; and (x) between the Palace and the 3 suburbs, at each gāvuta (about 2miles), a vihāra with Sermon and Image Houses.
Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early BuddhismIsipatana (इसिपतन) is the name of an ancient locality situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—It was at Isipatana Migadāya that the Buddha for the first time delivered the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta and converted the Pañcavaggiya Bhikkhus. The Migadāya was situated in Isipatana. It is Sarnath, six miles from Benares.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryisipatana : (nt.) name of a place; present Sārnath near Benares.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Patana, Isi, Ici.
Starts with: Isipatanavihara.
Full-text (+32): Dhammadinna Sutta, Migadaya, Anottapa Sutta, Pasa Sutta, Isipatanavihara, Dhamma Cakka, Udapanadusaka Jataka, Rajavesibhujanga, Nalakalapiya Sutta, Kusinara, Saccavibhanga Sutta, Melajina, Samvejaniya Tthana, Atubadalena, Pacchimarama, Purvarama, Kusinaravihara, Atubadalenavihara, Dakshinarama, Suluvadenige.
Relevant text
Search found 32 books and stories containing Isipatana, Isi-patana; (plurals include: Isipatanas, patanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Wheel Of The Dhamma Begins To Turn < [Forty-five Years Of Teaching]
The Buddha's First Sermon < [Forty-five Years Of Teaching]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 271: Udapāna-Dūsaka-jātaka < [Book III - Tika-Nipāta]
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
(1) Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]
(7) Sacca-vibhanga-sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]
The Book of Protection (by Piyadassi Thera)
Discourse 17 - Setting In Motion The Wheel Of Truth < [Discourses]
Discourse 23 - Discourse On The Analysis Of The Truths < [Discourses]
Buddha Desana (by Sayadaw U Pannadipa)
Chapter 4 - The Origin Of The Sangha < [Part IV - The Sangha]
Chapter 5 - Yasa The Second Convert Into The Order < [Part IV - The Sangha]
The Buddha (by Piyadassi Thera)