Ashtapudgala, Aṣṭapudgala, Ashta-pudgala: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Ashtapudgala 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.
The Sanskrit term Aṣṭapudgala can be transliterated into English as Astapudgala or Ashtapudgala, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraAṣṭapudgala (अष्टपुद्गल) or Aṣṭapuruṣa refers to “eight groups of individuals”, as mentioned in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 36.
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaAṣṭapudgala (अष्टपुद्गल) or simply Pudgala refers to the “eight persons” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 102):
- srota-āpanna-phala-pratipannaka (the one on the path to the fruit of stream-entry),
- srota-āpanna (the stream-enterer),
- sakṛdāgāmi-phala-pratipannaka (the one on the path to the fruit of once-returning),
- sakṛdāgāmi (the once-returner),
- anāgāmi-phala-pratipannaka (the one on the path to the fruit of non-returning),
- anāgāmi (the non-returner),
- arhat-phala-pratipannaka (the one on the path to the fruit of worthiness),
- arhat (and the worthy one).
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., aṣṭapudgala). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Ashta, Pudgala.
Full-text: Pudgala, Ashtapurusha.
Relevant text
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