Poshadha, Poṣadha: 10 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
In Jainism
1. General definition
India history
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Poshadha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, Hinduism, Sanskrit, 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.

The Sanskrit term Poṣadha can be transliterated into English as Posadha or Poshadha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Poṣadha (पोषध) is a Sanskrit word similar to Upavasatha (i.e., the day preceding the lunar quarters, a sacred weekly day or Sabbath), according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XXII.—Accordingly, In the Vedas, upavasatha is the day of preparation preceding the Soma sacrifice. The word has passed into Buddhism, not without having gone through transformations: in Pāli, uposatha; in Sanskrit, upoṣadha (Mahāvastu; Avadānakalpalatā), and, more frequently, poṣadha (cf. Lalitavistara; Divyāvadāna; Mahāvyutpatti, no. 9101, 9287). In Jaina Prakrit, there is posaha. Hence the tradtitional Tibetan translation gso-sbyoṅ “that which nourishes (gso = poṣa) the merits and which washes (sbyoṅ = dhav) sins”. The person who is practicing upavāsa is called upoṣadhika (cf. Mahāvastu), poṣadhika (cf. Mahāvyutpatti, no. 8726), poṣadhoṣita (cf. Divyāvadāna) or upavāsastha (cf. Kośa).

context information

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.

In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Jainism

Poṣadha (पोषध) or Poṣadhapratimā represents the fourth of eleven pratimā (stages) laid down for Jain laymen. Poṣadha-pratimā refers to “fasting regularly, as a rule, twice a fortnight in each lunar month” according to J. L. Jaini in his “outlines of Jainism” (pp. 67-70). It is also known as Poṣadhopavāsa, Proṣadha or Proṣadhopavāsa.

These pratimās (e.g., poṣadha) form a series of duties and performances, the standard and duration of which rises periodically and which finally culminates in an attitude resembling monkhood. Thus the pratimās rise by degrees and every stage includes all the virtues practised in those preceeding it. The conception of eleven pratimās appears to be the best way of exhibiting the rules of conduct prescribved for the Jaina laymen.

Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Poṣadha (पोषध) or Poṣadhavrata is the name of a vow mentioned in chapter 1.3 [ādīśvara-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, as mentioned in Ṛṣabha’s sermon:—

“[...] the restraint of the senses with the whole soul is called cāritra. It may be partial in laymen devoted to the yatidharmas. The roots of right-belief are the five lesser vows (aṇuvratas), the three meritorious vows (guṇavratas), and the four disciplinary vows (śikṣāvratas) of laymen. [...] The poṣadha-vrata is the observance of the caturtha-fast, etc., on the four moon-days in the month, abstention from wicked acts, chastity, and abandonment of business, bathing, etc.”.

context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

India history and geography

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical Glossary

Poṣadha.—derived from Sanskrit uposatha; also called poṣa- dha-vrata; cf. pauṣadha. Note: poṣadha is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.

context information

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

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Poṣadha (पोषध).—A fasting day, sacred day; Buddh.

Derivable forms: poṣadhaḥ (पोषधः).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Poṣadha (पोषध).—m. (on gender and forms see upoṣadha; compare the following items) = upoṣadha, ‘sabbath’: Mahāvyutpatti 8676 °dhaḥ; 9101 °dha-vastu; 9287 °dha-sthāpanam; 9403 chanda-poṣadham, acc., p. of profound desire or faith (so Tibetan, Chin., Japanese); poṣadha-sthāpana-vastu, title of a section of Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya, Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya iii.107.1; poṣadha-parigṛhītāyā mātuḥ Lalitavistara 25.21; 55.2; gṛhṇāmi…aṣṭāṅga-poṣadham Lalitavistara 41.18, see aṣṭāṅga (1); also aṣṭāṅga-poṣadhe Gaṇḍavyūha 521.5; aṣṭāṅga-samanvāgataṃ (so Pali, aṭṭhaṅgasaman- nāgata) poṣadhaṃ gṛhṇāmaḥ Karmavibhaṅga (and Karmavibhaṅgopadeśa) 52.7; tantuvāyasya poṣadhaṃ dattvā (Ārya-)Mañjuśrīmūlakalpa 58.11; on Divyāvadāna 116.21 and 118.27, see upoṣadha; Jātakamālā 15.5; 28.14; 52.18 etc.; poṣadhāmukha, nt., with or sc. vāstu, (a site) fitting for the poṣadha, Mūla-Sarvāstivāda-Vinaya iv. 81.8 ff.; mss. at Mahāvastu iii.97.20 and 98.2, see upoṣadha; tadaho-poṣadhe Mahāvastu i.255.5 (= Pali tad-ah-uposathe; Pali also tadahe and tadahū, on that day), adv. phrase, on that day (which was) a ‘sabbath’; see poṣadheya. (Senart prints as two separate words, perhaps rightly.)

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Poṣadha (पोषध):—m. (with Buddhists) fasting, a fasting day, [Lalita-vistara]

2) sacred day, [Jātakamālā]

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Poṣadha (पोषध) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit word: Posaha.

[Sanskrit to German]

Poshadha in German

context information

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.

Relevant text

Search found 10 books and stories containing Poshadha, Poṣadha, Posadha; (plurals include: Poshadhas, Poṣadhas, Posadhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

(b) The Skandhaka < [Chapter 2 - Background Information]

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Part 2 - The eightfold morality of the upavāsastha (introduction) < [Section II.1 - Morality of the lay person or avadātavasana]

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Appendix 1.6: New and rare words < [Appendices]

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Chapter 3 - Acts of the Buddha < [Book 1 - The beginning of the story of the Doctrine]

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Chapter VIII - On the Four Dependables < [Section One]

Chapter IV - On Long Life < [Section One]

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Interview with Kyabje Khenpo Trashi Palden < [Introduction Text]