Significance of Upasthayaka
Upasthayaka, in Mahayana Buddhism, denotes assistants who catered to the Buddha's comfort and daily needs. This term specifically refers to attendants, exemplified by Ananda, who served closely with the Buddha. Thus, Upasthayaka signifies both the role of those who provided essential support to the Buddha and the concept of an attendant serving a spiritual teacher.
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Buddhist concept of 'Upasthayaka'
In Buddhism, "Upasthayaka" signifies attendants like Ananda who facilitated the Buddha's comfort and daily requirements, embodying the role of a supportive figure in the spiritual journey and teachings.
From: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra
(1) A term referring to the assistants who served the Buddha, responsible for his comfort and daily needs.[1] (2) The term for an attendant or someone who serves a teacher, in this case, referring to Ananda as the Buddha's attendant.[2]