Theragatha, Theragāthā, Thera-gatha: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Theragatha 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)

[«previous next»] — Theragatha in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The eighth book of the Khuddaka Nikaya, a collection of poems, most of which are believed to have been composed by theras during the lifetime of the Buddha.

Some poems contain life histories of the theras, while others are paeans of joy, extolling their new found freedom.

The work has been published by the P.T.S. (1883) and translated by Mrs. Rhys Davids, as Psalms of the Brethren.

Dhammapala wrote a commentary on the Theragatha, as part of the Paramatthadipani.

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).

Discover the meaning of theragatha in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Theragatha in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

theragāthā : (f.) hymns of the Elders.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Theragāthā refers to: hymns of senior bhikkhus, N. of a canonical book, incorporated in the Khuddaka-Nikāya. Theratara, very senior, oppd to navatara, novice D. II, 154.

Note: theragāthā is a Pali compound consisting of the words thera and gāthā.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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