Upasika Vihara, Upāsikā-vihāra: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Upasika Vihara 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»] — Upasika Vihara in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A nunnery in Anuradhapura, built by Devanampiyatissa, for the accommodation of Anula and her followers, pending the arrival of Sanghamitta (Mhv.xviii.12). Later, Sanghamitta took up her residence there and it was enlarged by the addition of twelve buildings, three of which gained peculiar sanctity because in these were set up the mast, the rudder and the helm of the ship that had brought the Bodhi tree to Ceylon, and these buildings were called, respectively, the Kupayatthithapita ghara, the Piyathapita ghara and the Arittathapita ghara. Even when other sects arose, these twelve buildings were occupied by the Hatthalhaka (or orthodox) nuns. Mhv.xix.68ff; the Tika (p.408) says the houses were originally called Culagana gara, Mahaganagara and Sirivaddhagara.

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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