Sunetta, Sunettā: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Sunetta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit. 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

1. Sunetta. Aggasavaka of Sobhita Buddha (Bu.vii.21; J.i.35). He was the Buddhas stepbrother and his first convert. BuA.137.

2. Sunetta Thera. Attendant of Dhammadassi Buddha. J.i.39; Bu.xvi.18.

3. Sunetta. A Pacceka Buddha. A man who had learnt the art of pelting stones with great skill, from the cripple of the Salittaka Jataka (q.v.), looking for a target for testing his skill, saw Sunetta entering the city for alms and aimed a pebble at his ear. The pebble went into one ear and out at the other, and the Pacceka Buddha died after suffering great pain. Men, who saw this, killed the stone thrower, and, after a sojourn in Avici, he became a sledgehammer ghost in Gijjhakuta (DhA.ii.71f; Pv.iv.16; PvA.283f).

On another occasion, the son of Kitavassa, king of Benares, saw Sunetta begging for alms, and, angered that he did not do him homage, took the begging bowl from Sunettas hand and dashed it to the ground. Pv.iii.2; iv.7; PvA.177f., 264.

4. Sunetta. A teacher of old. He had numerous disciples, and those who followed his teachings were reborn in the Brahma world and in various other worlds. Then Sunetta, seeing that some among his disciples were as good as himself, developed metta to a much greater degree; but even so, he could not free himself from birth, old age, etc. It was because he had not comprehended Noble Conduct, Noble Concentration, Noble Wisdom, Noble Release. A.iv.103f.; he is referred to at A.iii.371; iv.135.

Sunetta Sutta. Contains a list of teachers, including Sunetta (q.v.), who taught their followers the way to the Brahma world. A.iv.135.

-- or --

. A brahmin maiden of Asadisagama, who gave a meal of milk rice to Siddhattha Buddha. BuA.185.

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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Languages of India and abroad

Prakrit-English dictionary

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

Sunettā (सुनेत्ता) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Sunetrā.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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