Acchara, Accharā: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Acchara means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit. 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.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryaccharā : (f.) 1. a nymph; 2. snapping of fingers; a short moment.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary1) Accharā, 2 (f.) (Vedic apsaras = āpa, water + sarati, orig; water nymph) a celestial nymph M.I, 253 (pl. accharāyo) II, 64; Th.2, 374 (= devaccharā ThA.252); J.V, 152 sq. (Alambusā a.) Vv 55 (= devakaññā VvA.37); Vv 172; 1811 etc.; DhA.III, 8, 19; PvA.46 (dev°); Miln.169; Sdhp.298. (Page 9)
2) Accharā, 1 (f.) (etym. uncertain, but certainly dialectical; Trenckner connects it with ācchurita (Notes 76); Childers compares Sk. akṣara (see akkhara); there may be a connection with akkhaṇa in akkhaṇa-vedhin (cp. BSk. acchaṭā Divy 555), or possibly a relation to ā + tsar, thus meaning “stealthily”, although the primary meaning is “snapping, a quick sound”) the snapping of the fingers, the bringing together of the finger-tips: 1. (lit.) accharaṃ paharati to snap the fingers J.II, 447; III, 191; IV, 124, 126; V, 314; VI, 366; DhA.I, 38, 424. — As measure: as much as one may hold with the finger-tips, a pinch J.V, 385; DhA.II, 273 (°gahaṇamattaṃ); cp. ekacchara-matta DhA.II, 274. — 2. (fig.) a finger’s snap, i. e. a short moment, in ek°acchara-kkhaṇe in one moment Miln.102, and in def. of acchariya (q. v.) at DA.I, 43; VvA.329.
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.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary1) Accharā (अच्छरा) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Apsaras.
Accharā has the following synonyms: Accharasā.
2) Accharā (अच्छरा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Apsarā.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Acchara Sutta, Accharasa, Accharasadda, Accharasanghata, Accharaya.
Ends with: Anusamvacchara, Devacchara, Kacchara, Macchara, Nagemacchara, Nimmacchara, Padumacchara, Pratyacchara, Sacchara, Samvacchara, Ummacchara, Utusamvacchara, Vacchara, Vitamacchara.
Full-text: Apsaras, Dhammaratha Sutta, Missakesi, Padumacchara, Accharasa, Accharika, Devacchara, Acchata, Accharasadda, Pothana, Vaṇṇin, Accharasanghata, Samgha, Samghata, Acchariya, Parivara, Gandhabba, Panca.
Relevant text
Search found 5 books and stories containing Acchara, Accharā; (plurals include: Accharas, Accharās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 2 - Notes regarding the kṣaṇa time unit < [Chapter XXV - Patience Toward the Dharma]
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
(a) Sagatha Vagga Samyutta Pali < [Chapter VI - Samyutta Nikaya]
A Correct Vision (by Venerable Professor Dhammavihari)
Apadana commentary (Atthakatha) (by U Lu Pe Win)
Commentary on the biography of the thera Mahāmoggallāna < [Chapter 1 - Buddhavagga (Buddha section)]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 535: Sudhābhojana-jātaka < [Volume 5]
Jataka 537: Mahā-Sutasoma-jātaka < [Volume 5]