Ashvaghosha, aka: Aśvaghoṣa, Ashva-ghosha; 5 Definition(s)

Introduction

Ashvaghosha means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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 Aśvaghoṣa can be transliterated into English as Asvaghosa or Ashvaghosha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Purana

Aśvaghoṣa (अश्वघोष).—A famous Sanskrit poet. He has written many Sanskrit books prominent among which are the two great poems, Buddhacarita and Saundarananda and a drama called Śāriputraprakaraṇa. He lived in the 2nd Century A.D. His history of Buddha (Buddhacarita) was translated into Chinese during the period 414 to 421 A.D. He was known under the following names also: Ācārya, Bhadanta, Mahāvādī and Bhikṣu.

context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

Buddhist poet known for his epic poem, Buddhacarita, the first complete biography of the Buddha

Ashvaghosha I (1350-1270 BCE).—There were two Ashvaghoshas in the history of Buddhism. Ashvaghosha I was the junior contemporary of Katyayaniputra and lived 500 years after Buddha nirvana whereas Ashvaghosha II Matricheta lived 800 years after Buddha nirvana. Moreover, Ashvaghosha I was born in Saketa of Kashi Janapada whereas Ashvaghosha II probably belonged to Pataliputra. Ashvaghosha I was the teacher of Mahayana and authored “Mahayana Shraddhotpada”, a philosophical treatise that was also studied in Japanese monasteries. Parshva Katyayaniputra and Ashvaghosha I jointly composed a great treatise “ Abhidharma-Mahavibhasha-Shastra ” in Kashmir. Ashvaghosha I was the disciple of Parshva Katyayaniputra and Punyayashas.

Aśvaghoṣa (अश्वघोष) or Ashvaghosha (80 – c. 150 CE) was a Buddhist philosopher, dramatist, poet and orator from India. He was born in Saketa in northern India in a Brahmin family and later converted to Buddhism. He is believed to have been the first Sanskrit dramatist, and is considered the greatest Indian poet prior to Kālidāsa.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Aśvaghoṣa (अश्वघोष).—Name of a Buddhist writer.

Derivable forms: aśvaghoṣaḥ (अश्वघोषः).

Aśvaghoṣa is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms aśva and ghoṣa (घोष).

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