Vessavana, Vessavaṇa: 1 definition
Introduction:
Vessavana 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)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesOne of the names of Kuvera, given to him because his kingdom is called Visana (D.iii.201; SNA.i.369, etc.). He is one of the Catummaharajano and rules over the Yakkhas, his kingdom being in the north (E.g., D.ii.207). In the Atanatiya Sutta he is the spokesman, and he recited the Atanatiya rune for the protection of the Buddha and his followers from the Yakkhas who had no faith in the Buddha. D.iii.194; he was spokesman because he was intimate with the Buddha, expert in conversation, well trained (DA.iii.962).
He rides in the Narivahana, which is twelve yojanas long, its seat being of coral. His retinue is composed of ten thousand crores of Yakkhas. (SNA.i.379; the preachers seat in the Lohapasada at Anuradhapura was made in the design of the Narivahana, Mhv.xxvii.29). He is a sotapanna and his life span is ninety thousand years (AA.ii.718). The books record a conversation between him and Velukantaki Nandamata (q.v.), when he heard her sing the Parayana Vagga and stayed to listen. When Culasubhadda wished to invite the Buddha and his monks to her house in Saketa, and felt doubtful about it, Vessavana appeared before her and said that the Buddha would come at her invitation (AA.ii.483).
On another occasion (A.iv.162; on his way to see the Buddha) he heard Uttara Thera preaching to the monks in Dhavajalika on the Sankheyya Mountain, near Mahisavatthu, and went and told Sakka, who visited Uttara and had a discussion with him.
Once when Vessavana was travelling through the air, he saw Sambhuta Thera wrapt in samadhi. Vessavana descended from his chariot, worshipped the Thera, and left behind two Yakkhas with orders to wait until the Elder should emerge from his trance. The Yakkhas then greeted the Thera in the name of Vessavana and told him they had been left to protect him. The Elder sent thanks to Vessavana, but informed him, through the Yakkhas, that the Buddha had taught his disciples to protect themselves through mindfulness, and so further protection was not needed. Vessavana visited Sambhuta on his return, and finding that the Elder had become an arahant, went to Savatthi and carried the news to the Buddha. ThagA.i.46f. Just as he encouraged the good, so he showed his resentment against the wicked; see, e.g., Revati.
Mention is made of Vessavanas Gadavudha* and his mango tree, the Atulamba**. Alavakas abode was near that of Vessavana (SNA.i.240).
* SNA.i.225; the books (e,g., SA.i.249; Sp.ii.440) are careful to mention that he used his Gadavudha only while he was yet a puthujjana.
** J.iv.324, also called Abbhantaramba (see the Abbharantara Jataka).
Bimbisara, after death, was born seven times as one of the ministers (paricaraka) of Vessavana, and, while on his way with a message from Vessavana to Virulhaka,
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)
Full-text (+33): Gadavudha, Nalini, Tatola, Tatojasi, Visravana, Sajja, Nandamata Sutta, Kancanapatti, Acchimati, Pavara, Jotirasa, Vishana, Vaishravana, Atulamba, Lokapala, Janavasabha, Bhandukanna, Velukantaki, Avaruddhaka, Narivahana.
Relevant text
Search found 13 books and stories containing Vessavana, Vessavaṇa; (plurals include: Vessavanas, Vessavaṇas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Book of Protection (by Piyadassi Thera)
Discourse 24 - Discourse On Atanatiya < [Discourses]
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
The fourth Bhanavara (Introduction) < [Chapter 5 - Subject Matter of the Fourth Bhanavara]
(8) Atanatiya-sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]
Importance of Atanatiya sutta < [Chapter 5 - Subject Matter of the Fourth Bhanavara]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Discourse on Rukkhadhamma Jātaka < [Chapter 22 - Founding of Vesali]
Part 3 - The Conception Of The Bodhisatta < [Chapter 1 - The Jewel of the Buddha]
Part 4 - Taming of Āḷavaka the Ogre < [Chapter 33 - The Buddha’s Fifteenth Vassa at Kapilavatthu]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 281: Abbhantara-jātaka < [Book III - Tika-Nipāta]
Jataka 74: Rukkhadhamma-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]
Jataka 155: Gagga-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter III-d - Visit to other worlds (4): Four Great Kings (cāturmahārājika) < [Volume I]
Chapter XVII - The tenth Bhūmi < [Volume I]
Chapter XXIII - Megha and Meghadatta < [Volume I]
Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)
Vidurapaṇḍita Jātaka < [Chapter 3 - Amarāvatī and the Formative Stage of the Buddhist Art]