Purnavardhana, Pūrṇavardhana: 1 definition

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Mahayana
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Introduction:

Purnavardhana 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

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Pūrṇavardhana (पूर्णवर्धन) was a city and district of Bengal, the name of which is attested under different spellings;

a. The correct Sanskrit form is Puṇḍravardhana, ‘Growth of sugar-cane’, in Tibetan, Li kha ra śiṅ ḥphel or Bu ram śiṅ ḥphel (Mahāvyutpatti, no. 4113). It is found in the Sumāgadhāvadāna and the Mahāvyutpatti. But it is the corresponding Prakrit form, Puṇḍavardhana, that is most frequent both in the Sanskrit texts and the Chinese transcriptions

b. The Sanskrit form Puṇyavardhana ‘Increase of merit’ is attested by the Chinese translations Fou tseng in Sumāgadhāvadāna, and Tcheng tseng tch’ang, in A yu wang king. – The variant Puṇṇavardhana is attested

According to the Divyāvadāna, p. 21 and the Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya, Puṇḍravardhana marks the eastern limit of the Madhyadeśa; beyond that are the frontier lands (pratyanta) where the Buddhist discipline is more tolerant and allows the use of baths and shoes. .

Hiuan tsang, who, in 638, visited western Bengal (Irana) and eastern Bengal (Puṇḍravardhana and Karṇasuvarna), informs us in the Si yu ki that Puṇḍravardhana was 600 li farther east than Kajaṅgala, and that he had to cross the Ganges to get from one city to the other. The pilgrim lingers over the description of Puṇḍravardhana: the region was 4,000 li and the city more than 30 li. It had 20 Buddhist monasteries sheltering 3000 monks of both the Greater and Lesser Vehicles. It had about 100 temples consecrated to the gods and the Digambara Nirgrantha (Jains) were especially numerous

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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Search found 2 books and stories containing Purnavardhana, Pūrṇavardhana; (plurals include: Purnavardhanas, Pūrṇavardhanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Appendix 1 - Pūrṇavardhana or Puṇḍravardhana (city and district of Bengal) < [Chapter V - Rājagṛha]

Part 4 - The buddha’s frequent sojourns in Rājagṛha and Śrāvastī < [Chapter V - Rājagṛha]

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Chapter 3 - Abhidharma lineages < [Book 6 - The Origin of the Mādhyamika (middle way)]

Chapter 2 - Spa tshab together with his lineage < [Book 6 - The Origin of the Mādhyamika (middle way)]