Samavati, Sāmāvatī, Sāmāvati: 1 definition
Introduction:
Samavati 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 NamesOne of the three chief consorts of King Udena.
She was the daughter of the setthi Bhaddavatiya of Bhaddavati, who was a friend of Ghosaka of Kosambi. When plague broke out in Bhaddavati, she and her parents fled to Kosambi, and there obtained food from the alms hall provided by Ghosaka. On the first day Samavati asked for three portions, on the second two, on the third only one. For her father had died after the meal on the first day, her mother on the second. When, on the third day, she asked for only one portion, Mitta who was distributing alms, teased her, saying: Today you know the capacity of your belly. She asked what he meant, and when he explained his words, she told him what had happened. Mitta pitied her and adopted her as his daughter.
One day, when she arrived at the refectory, she found a great uproar going on, people rushing everywhere to get alms. She asked to be allowed to bring order into this chaos, and had a fence erected round the refectory with separate doors for entrance and exit. This put an end to the disturbances. Ghosaka, hearing no noise in the refectory as before, inquired the reason, and, finding out what Samavati had done, adopted her as his own child. Samavatis original name was Sama, but after building the fence (vati) round the refectory she was called Samavati.
On a festival day Udena saw Samavati going to the river to bathe, and, falling in love with her, asked Ghosaka to send her to the palace. But Ghosaka refused, and the king turned him and his wife out of doors and sealed up his house. When Samavati discovered this, she made Ghosaka send her to the palace, and Udena made her his chief consort. Some time afterwards Udena took Magandiya also as consort.
When the Buddha visited Kosambi at the request of Ghosaka, Kukkuta and Pavariya, Khujjutara, the servant woman of Samavati, heard him preach and became a Sotapanna. She had been on her way to the gardener, Sumana, to buy flowers for Samavati, with the eight pieces of money given to her daily by the king for this purpose. On Sumanas invitation, she had gone to hear the Buddha at his house. On other days she had spent only half the money on flowers, appropriating the rest for herself; but this day, having become a Sotapanna, she bought flowers with the whole amount and took them to Samavati, to whom she confessed her story. At Samavatis request, Khujjuttara repeated to her and her companions the sermon she had heard from the Buddha. After this, she visited the Buddha daily, repeating his sermon to Samavati and her friends. Having learnt that the Buddha passed along the street in which the palace stood, Samavati had holes made in the walls so that she and her friends might see the Buddha and do obeisance to him. Magandiya heard of this during a visit to Samavatis quarters,
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).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Samavatirna.
Ends with: Kshamavati.
Full-text: Vati, Khujjuttara, Sama, Missaka, Udena, Itivuttaka, Bhaddavati, Mitta, Kosambi, Ghosaka Setthi.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Samavati, Sāmāvatī, Sāmāvati; (plurals include: Samavatis, Sāmāvatīs, Sāmāvatis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)
The Story of Udayana and his Queens < [Chapter 3 - Amarāvatī and the Formative Stage of the Buddhist Art]
Abhidhamma in Daily Life (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa) (by Ashin Janakabhivamsa)
Factor 8 - Mettá (loving-kindness) < [Chapter 3 - On kusala cetasikas (wholesome mental factors)]
Condition 2 - Upadhi Sampatti And Upadhi Vipatti < [Part 4 - Condition for sufficiency and condition for deficiency (prosperity (sampatti) and misfortune (vipatti))]
Cause 4 - Untimely Death < [Part 1 - The Four Causes Of Death]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Biography (3-4): Khujjuttarā and Sāmāvatī < [Chapter 45b - Life Stories of Female Lay Disciples]
Part 2 - Story of Brahmin Magandhi < [Chapter 27b - The Buddha’s Ninth Vassa at Kosambī]
Chapter 17b - Appendix: Gotama Buddhavaṃsa (Explanatory Notes) < [Volume 3]
The Buddha and His Disciples (by Venerable S. Dhammika)
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 21-23 - The Story of Sāmāvati < [Chapter 2 - Appamāda Vagga (Heedfulness)]
A Historical Study of Kaushambi (by Nirja Sharma)
Religion and Society of Kaushambi < [Chapter 1]