Nagasamala, Nāgasamālā, Nāgasamala, Nāgasamāla: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Nagasamala 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 Names1. Nagasamala: One of the two chief women disciples of Sujata Buddha. Bu.xiii.26; J.i.38.
2. Nagasamala Thera: He was a Sakiyan and entered the Order when the Buddha visited his kinsmen at Kapilavatthu. For some time he was the Buddhas personal attendant- e.g., when the Buddha breached the Mahasihanada Sutta (or the Lomahamsa pariyaya) (M.i.83 ; MA.i.283; AA.i.163; UdA. 217; J.iv.95).
One day, when entering the city for alms, he saw a nautch girl gaily dressed, dancing to the accompaniment of music and contemplated her as the snare of Mara. Making this his topic of thought, he developed insight into the perishable ness of life and became an arahant (Thag.vs.267 70; ThagA.i.378). Another day (evidently earlier than the previous incident), while walking with the Buddha, they came to a cleft in the road, and the Buddha wished to go along one way, while Nagasamala wished to go along another, in spite of the Buddhas warning that it was dangerous. In the end, he put the Buddhas begging bowl and robe on the ground and left him. Brigands waylaid him and ill treated him, breaking his bowl and threatening to kill him. Thereupon he turned back to the Buddha and asked his forgiveness (Ud.viii.7; UdA.425f).
Nagasamala was a householder in the time of Padumuttara Buddha, and, seeing the Buddha walking in the sun, he gave him an umbrella. After that, wherever he went a white parasol appeared over his head. For thirty kappas he was king of the gods. He is probably to be identified with Ekachattiya of the Apadana. Ap.ii.405
3. Nagasamala Thera: An arahant. The Apadana (Ap.i.119) distinguishes him from the above, whom it calls Ekachattiya. Thirty one kappas ago he placed a patali flower on the thupa of Sikhi Buddha. Fifteen kappas ago he was a king named Bhumiya.
The Apadana Commentary says, however, that this thera was the pacchasamana (personal attendant) of the Buddha for some time and that he was called Nagasamala because his body was tender as nagabuds.
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).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraNāgasamāla (नागसमाल) is the name of a disciple of the Buddha, as mentioned in an appendix of the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLI. Ānanda fulfilled his mission with the greatest devotion for the last twenty-five years of the Teacher’s life. Before Ānanda took charge, other disciples functioned temporarily. The commtary of the Theragāthā and that of the Udāna record seven of them and the old canonical sources confirm this. Viz., Nāgasamāla (cf. Majjhima, I, p. 83, l. 19).
Nāgasamāla (नागसमाल) is also mentioned as a disciple of the Buddha, according to the the Vinayamātṛkā of the Haimavatas.—The Vinayamātṛkā of the Haimavatas knows of eight disciples who, “fan in hand, fanned the Buddha”. These were [viz., Nāgasamāla].
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Full-text: Bhumiya, Pratiharya, Pacchamukha, Meghika, Upasthayaka, Sunakshetra, Mahasihanada Sutta, Ananda, Sujata.
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Search found 6 books and stories containing Nagasamala, Nāgasamālā, Nāgasamala, Nāgasamāla; (plurals include: Nagasamalas, Nāgasamālās, Nāgasamalas, Nāgasamālas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Apadana commentary (Atthakatha) (by U Lu Pe Win)
Commentary on Biography of thera Nāgasamala < [Chapter 8 - Nagasamālavagga (section on Nagasamāla)]
Commentary on the Biography of the thera Ānanda < [Chapter 1 - Buddhavagga (Buddha section)]
Various other 22 Buddhas < [Part 1 - Remote preface (dūre-nidāna)]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 7 - The Buddha’s assistants (upasthāyaka) < [Chapter XLI - The Eighteen Special Attributes of the Buddha]
VII. The knowledge of the way leading to the various destinies < [Part 2 - The ten powers in particular]
Digression on a case brought against the Buddha < [Part 1 - Mahāyānist list of the eighteen special attributes of the Buddha]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Biography (30): Ānanda Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Chapter 34d - The Buddha’s Twentieth Vassa at Rājagaha < [Volume 4]
Buddha Chronicle 12: Sujāta Buddhavaṃsa < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 54-55 - The Story of the Question Raised by the Venerable Ānanda < [Chapter 4 - Puppha Vagga (Flowers)]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 456: Juṇha-jātaka < [Volume 4]
The Buddha and His Disciples (by Venerable S. Dhammika)