Akanittha Deva: 1 definition
Introduction:
Akanittha Deva 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 NamesA class of devas, living in the highest of the five Suddhavasa (Pure Mansions) (D.iii.237).
In the Mahapadana Sutta (D.ii.52f) the Buddha mentions that he visited their abode and conversed with beings who were born there as a result of the holy lives they had lived under various Buddhas.
In the Sakkapanha Sutta (D.ii.286) Sakka speaks of them as the highest devas, and expresses his satisfaction that he, too, will be born among them in his last life.
Buddhaghosa says they are so called because of their supremacy in virtue and in happiness, and because there are no juniors among them (sabbeheva sagunehi ca bhavasampattiya ca jettha natthettha kanitthati akanittha). DA.ii.480. VbhA.521 (ayuna ca pannaya ca Akanittha jetthaka sabba devehi panitatara deva (=DA.iii.739)).
In the Visuddhi Magga (p. 634) their world is spoken of as a Brahma loka where Anagamis are born and enter complete Nibbana (p. 710) (also ItA.40; DA.iii.740). The duration of life among these devas is 16,000 Kalpas (Kvu.207). Sometimes Anagami are born among the Aviha devas and finish their existence, in a subsequent birth, among the Akanitthas. These are called Uddhamsota. (DhA.iii.289f.; see also S.v.201).
The Akanittha bhavana is the upper limit of the rupvacara bhumi (Ps.i.84); it is also spoken of as the highest point of the universe, Avici being the lowest. Thus the quarrel among the Kosambi monks spread even up to the Akanittha deva (J.iii.487), as did the shouts of the assembly at the severing of the branch of the Bodhi tree (Mbv. 150-1; see also Mil. 284).
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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