Upasika, Upāsikā: 5 definitions
Introduction:
Upasika means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India. 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.
India history and geography
Source: archive.org: Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 1963Upāsikā is the name of a convent (monastary for bhikkuṇis) built by Devānaṃpiya Tissa (B.C. 247-207) in the Citadel (inner city) of Anurādhapura.—In the Upāsikā complex were 12 buildings, in three of which were housed the mast, rudder and helm of the ship which brought the Bodhi Tree. The cital (inner city) of Anurādhapura was included in Paṇḍukābhaya’s 4th-century layout of this town and featured gates on the cardinal faces. The town also included buildings such as the Upāsikā.
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Indian Epigraphical GlossaryUpāsikā.—(CII 3, 4), feminine form of Upāsaka (q. v.); a female lay-follower of the Buddha. Note: upāsikā is defined in the “Indian epigraphical glossary” as it can be found on ancient inscriptions commonly written in Sanskrit, Prakrit or Dravidian languages.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryUpāsikā, see upāsaka; cp. payir°. (Page 150)
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryupāsikā : (f.) a female devotee.
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.
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English DictionaryUpāsikā (उपासिका):—[from upāsaka > upās] f. a lay female votary of Buddha (as distinguished from a Bhikṣuṇī q.v.)
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Upasika Vihara, Upasikaradi.
Ends with: Maha-upasika, Parama-upasika, Payirupasika.
Full-text (+34): Upasaka, Manuja, Maha-upasika, Parama-upasika, Prabhuta, Nidda, Fourfold Assembly, Mahagana, Supabba, Culagana, Prakata, Putta Sutta, Bojjha, Sirivaddha Pasada, Parinirvana, Suppavasa Sutta, Sutanu, Ayyamitta, Cundi, Vishnudatta.
Relevant text
Search found 46 books and stories containing Upasika, Upāsikā; (plurals include: Upasikas, Upāsikās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh (early history) (by Prakash Narayan)
The Bhikkhus and the Laity < [Chapter 3 - Religious Beliefs, Institutions and Practices: New Perspectives]
The Bhikkhus Rules (by Bhikkhu Ariyesako)
Uposatha Observance Days < [Appendix A]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Act 9.7: Samantaraśmi starts his journey to the Sahā universe < [Chapter XV - The Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions]
Chapter VII - The Four Assemblies
The Sumedhā-Jātaka < [I. Puṇyakriyāvastu consisting of generosity]
Banner of the Arahants (by Bhikkhu Khantipalo)
Part 4 - Question Oneself < [Chapter 8 - Westerners In The Sangha]
Introduction < [Chapter 8 - Westerners In The Sangha]
The Life of Sariputta (by Nyanaponika Thera)
The Last Debt Paid < [Part III - The Further Shore]