Aparagoyana, Aparagoyāna: 1 definition

Introduction:

Aparagoyana 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)

[«previous next»] — Aparagoyana in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

One of the four great continents into which the earth is divided. It is to the west of Sineru and is seven thousand yojanas in extent. It is surrounded by five hundred islands (SnA.ii.443). According to the Anguttara Nikaya (i.227; v.59), each cakkavala (world system) has an Aparagoyana. It is inhabited by men (KhA.123), but they have no houses and sleep on the ground (ThagA.ii.187-8). In the centre of the continent is a Kadamba tree, whose trunk is fifteen yojanas in girth and whose trunk and arms are fifty yojanas in length.

This tree stands for a whole kappa (DhsA.298; AA.i.264; Vm.206). When the sun rises in Jambudipa, it is the middle watch of the night in Aparagoyana; sunset in Aparagoyana is midnight in Jambudipa, and sunrise is noon in Jambudipa, sunset in Pubbavideha and midnight in Uttarakuru (DA.iii.868). A cakkavatti king first conquers Pubbavideha in the east and Jambudipa in the south, and then sets out to win Aparagoyana in the west and Uttarakuru in the north (Mbv.73-4; BuA.113). Thus King Mandhata, having conquered Jambudipa, journeys on with his retinue to Aparagoyana and conquers it straight away (Dvy.215).

Punnaka, in his play with Dhananjaya, staked a jewel, by gazing into which the continent of Aparagoyana could be seen. J.vi.278; so also in the necklace mentioned in the Harapradana Jataka. (Mtu.ii.68).

In this context the name given is Goyaniya. So also in the Mahavastu: Aparagodanika, godaniya (ii.159, 378, etc.). In the Dulva it is called Aparagaudani (Rockhill, 84).

Some of the inhabitants came with Mandhata from Aparagoyana to Jambudipa and settled down there. The country they colonised was called Aparanta. DA.ii.482; MA.i.484.

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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