In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Uttaramata - Mother of Uttara, who was a son of Udenas minister. (See Uttara 7.) She was miserly, and when her son gave alms she abused him, and spoke disparagingly of the holy men who accepted his gifts. On one occasion, however, she approved of a gift of a tuft of peacocks feathers at the festival of dedication of a vihara. After death she was born as a peta. Because of her approval of the gift of peacocks feathers she had lovely hair, but when she stepped into the river to drink water, all the water turned into blood. (She had told her son that his gifts would turn into blood in his nest birth). For fifty five years she wandered, famished and thirsty, till one day, seeing the Elder Kankha Revata spending the day on the banks of the Ganges, she approached him, covering her nudity with her hair, and begged him for a drink. The Elder, having learnt from her her story, gave food and drink and clothes to the monks on her behalf and she obtained release from her suffering and enjoyed great bliss (Pv.28f; PvA.140ff).

According to the Visuddhi Magga (ii.382), Uttaramata was able to go through the sky because of the psychic power inborn in her as a result of Kamma. This probably refers to another woman. (See below 2.)

2. Uttaramata - A Yakkhini, mother of Punabbasu and Uttara. Once as she passed Jetavana at sunset looking for food, with her daughter on her hip and holding her son by his finger, she saw the assembly, intently listening to the Buddhas sermon. She, too, hoping to get some benefit, listened quietly and with great earnestness, hushing her children to quietness. The Buddha preached in such a manner that both she and her son could understand, and at the end of the sermon they both became Sotapanna. She immediately got rid of her sad Yakkha state and obtained heavenly bliss, and took up her residence in a tree near the Buddhas Fragrant Chamber.

Little Uttara was too young to realise the Truth. S.i.210; SA.i.238-40; DA.ii.500f.

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).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Starts with: Uttaramatankal.

Full-text: Uttarika, Yakkhini.

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