Pilinda Vaccha, Pilindi Vaccha, Pilindiya Vaccha: 1 definition

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
See also

Introduction:

Pilinda Vaccha 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 Names

He was a brahmin of Savatthi, born before the Buddhas Enlightenment. Pilinda was his personal name, Vaccha being that of his family. He became a recluse and learnt the Cula Gandhara vijja, but, when the Buddha appeared, the charm refused to work. Having heard that the Maha Gandhara prevented the working of the Cula Gandhara and having concluded that the Buddha knew the former, he entered the Order at the Buddhas suggestion, in order to acquire it. The Buddha gave him exercises in meditation, and he became an arahant.

Certain devas who had been born in the deva world as a result of Pilindas guidance in a former birth, out of gratitude, waited on him morning and evening. He thus became famous as being dear to the devas, and was declared by the Buddha to be chief among such monks (A.i.24).

In the time of Padumuttara Buddha, he was a rich householder of Hamsavati and wished to become a monk beloved of the devas. In the time of Sumedha Buddha be was born in the world of men and paid great honour to the Buddhas Thupa. In a later existence he was a cakkavatti, named Varuna, and established his subjects in righteousness, so that after death they were born in heaven (ThagA.i.51f).

Pilinda had a habit of addressing everyone as Vasala (outcaste). When this was reported to the Buddha he explained that this was because Pilinda had, for one hundred lives, been born among Vasalavadi Brahmins (Ud.iii.6; DhA.iv.181f). One day, on entering Rajagaha, Pilinda met a man carrying a bowl of pipphali (long pepper). Whats in thy bowl, Vasala? he asked, and the man, in anger, said, The dung of mice. So be it, said Pilinda, and the pepper turned into dung. The man was horrified, and, seeking Pilinda, persuaded him to right the matter (AA.i.154f).

The Vinaya Pitaka mentions that on several different occasions Pilinda suffered from various ailments and the Buddha had to give permission for the provision of suitable remedies. Vin.i.204f.; some hold (e.g., Brethren 14, n. 4) that the Thera of Rajagaha, mentioned in the following stories, was distinct from the Thera of Savatthi. See below.

Once Bimbisara found Pilinda, clearing a cave in order to provide a cell for himself. The king promised to build a monastery for him if he could obtain the Buddhas sanction. The permission was obtained and was reported to the king, but he forgot the matter until one hundred days later. On remembering, he made ample amends, gave Pilinda five hundred attendants to look after the monastery, and granted for their maintenance a village, which came to be called Aramikagama or Pilindagama. One day, while in the village for alms, Pilinda went into a house where a girl was weeping because the day was a feast day and she had no ornament to wear, her parents being too poor to afford any.

context information

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).

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Search found 2 books and stories containing Pilinda Vaccha, Pilindi vaccha, Pilindiya vaccha; (plurals include: Pilinda Vacchas, Pilindi vacchas, Pilindiya vacchas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Commentary on the Biography of the thera Pilinda vaccha < [Chapter 2 - Sīhāsaniyavagga (lion-throne section)]

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Monks’ Expulsion (Pārājika) 2: Case rulings < [Monks’ Expulsion (Pārājika) 2]