Meghadatta: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Meghadatta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: archive.org: The MahavastuMeghadatta (मेघदत्त) is the name of one of two young Brāhmans, “bound together by ties of mutual affection and friendship”, according to the story “Megha and Meghadatta” in the Mahavāstu chapter XXII.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Google Books: The Glorious Deeds of PurnaMeghadatta (मेघदत्त) (Dharmaruci) and Megha (the Buddha) are students of the same teacher. When the Buddha Dīpaṃkara foretells Megha’s attainemnt of Buddhahoood as the Buddha Śākyamuni, Megha joins Dīpaṃkara’s Monastic Order; meanwhile, Meghadatta commits such heinous sins as matricide and parricide. After aeons of torment in the hells, Meghadatta is reborn as the sea-monster timitimiṅgala, devourer of ships and men.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryMeghadatta (मेघदत्त).—name of an associate of Megha (1), q.v.: Mahāvastu i.232.1; he corresponds to Pali Megha, whereas [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit] Megha = Pali Sumedha; in both [Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit] and Pali he was a former incarnation of Dharmaruci, Mahāvastu i.246.12.
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Dharmaruci, Megha.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Meghadatta; (plurals include: Meghadattas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XXIII - Megha and Meghadatta < [Volume I]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 2 - The legend of Dharmaruci < [Chapter XIII - The Buddha-fields]