Pukkusati, Pukkusāti: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Pukkusati 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

A young monk whom the Buddha met at the house of Bhaggava, the potter, in Rajagaha. Pukkusati was already occupying the guest room of the house, and the Buddha asked to be allowed to share it, to which Pukkusati readily agreed. They sat together for sometime in silence, and then the Buddha preached the Dhatuvibhanga Sutta. Pukkusati recognised the Buddha at the end of the sermon and begged his forgiveness for not having paid him due honour; he then begged to have the upasampada conferred on him. The Buddha consented and sent him to procure a begging bowl and a robe. On the way Pukkusati was gored to death by a mad cow. When this was reported to the Buddha, he said that Pukkusati was an Anagamin and had been born in the realms above, never more to return. M.iii.237 47. In this context Pukkusati is spoken of as a kulaputta (iii.238); see also J.iv.180 and DhA.ii.35.

In his comments on the Dhatuvibhanga Sutta, Buddhaghosa gives a long account of Pukkusati. MA.ii.979 ff. Cp. the story of Tissa, king of Roruva (ThagA.i.199f.)

He had been the king of Takkasila, contemporary of Bimbisara and of about the same age. A friendly alliance was established between the two kings through the medium of merchants who travelled between the two countries for purposes of trade. In the course of time, although the two kings had never seen each other, there grew up between them a deep bond of affection. Pukkusati once sent to Bimbisara, as a gift, eight priceless garments in lacquered caskets. This gift was accepted at a special meeting of the whole court, and Bimbisara having nothing of a material nature, which he considered precious enough to send to Pukkusati, conceived the idea of acquainting Pukkusati with the appearance in the world of the Three Jewels (ratanani) the Buddha, the Dhamma, and the Sangha. He had inscribed on a golden plate, four cubits long and a span in breadth, descriptions of these Three Jewels and of various tenets of the Buddhas teachings, such as the satipatthana, the Noble Eightfold Path, and the Thirty seven factors of Enlightenment. This plate was placed in the innermost of several caskets of various precious substances, and was taken in procession on the back of the state elephant up to the frontier of Bimbisiras kingdom. Similar honours were paid to it by the chiefs of other territories, through which lay the route to Takkasila.

When Pukkusati, in the solitude of his chamber, read the inscription on the plate, he was filled with boundless joy and decided to renounce the world. He cut off his hair, donned the yellow robes of a monk, and left the palace alone amid the lamentations of his subjects. He travelled the one hundred and ninety two leagues to Savatthi, passing the gates of Jetavana; but having understood from Bimbisaras letter that the Buddha was at Rajagaha,

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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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Pukkusati in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Pukkusāti (पुक्कुसाति) is the name of a king of olden times subdued by the Buddha mentioned in order to demonstrate the fearlessness of the Buddha according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XL.1.4. Accordingly, “a hundred thousand Che-tseu (Śākya) who all were great kings in Jambudvīpa, king Fou-kia-lo-p’o-li (Pukkusāti), etc., all became his disciples”.

For Pukkusāti, king of Takṣaśilā before his entrance into the religious life, see above, p. 1531F.

Mahayana book cover
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.

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