Alavaka, Alavika, Āḷavaka, Ālavaka, Ālavakā, Ālavikā: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Alavaka 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 Names

1) A name given to the monks of Alavi.

Buddhaghosa (Sp.iii.561) says that all children born in Alavi were called Alavaka. The Alavaka bhikkhu are mentioned several times in the Vinaya (ii.172ff.; iii.85; iv.34-5) in connection with offences relating to navakamma (repairing and reconstruction of buildings), and rules are laid down by the Buddha restricting these monks in their activities. Once when one of the monks was cutting down a tree which was the abode of a devata, the sprite was sorely tempted to kill him, but restraining her wrath she sought the Buddha and complained to him. The Buddha praised her forbearance and preached the Uraga Sutta (SnA.i.4-5).

In the introductory story of the Manikantha Jataka (J.ii.282-3) it is stated that the importunities of these monks so annoyed the residents of Alavi that they fled at the approach of any yellow robed monk.

2) A nun. See Sela.

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).

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Alavaka in Pali glossary
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Āḷavaka, (& Āḷārikika) (adj.-n.) (= āṭavika) dwelling in forests, a forest-dweller S.II, 235. As Np. at Vism.208. (Page 110)

Pali book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of alavaka in the context of Pali from relevant books on Exotic India

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