In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Avadātavasana (अवदातवसन) refers to “lay people”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 2).—Accordingly, “[When it is a question of ‘food at the improper time’ (akālabhojana), or ‘medicine at the proper time’ (kālabhaiṣajya) or ‘robes at the proper time’ (kālavastra), the word ‘kāla’ is always used. Why not say ‘samaya’?]—[Answer:]—Lay people (avadātavasana) do not understand the expression in the Vinaya; how then could the heretics understand it? They would take up wrong views. Everybody understands the expression ‘samaya’ in the other texts. Therefore by saying ‘samaya’, they are prevented from producing wrong views. ‘Samaya’ is a contrived word, ‘kāla’ likewise is a metaphorical expression. Besides, in the Buddhist texts, the word ‘samaya’ is often used and rarely the word ‘kāla’. Since its use is rare, no objection can be made”.

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Avadātavasana (अवदातवसन):—[=ava-dāta-vasana] [from ava-dāta] mfn. ‘clothed in white’, laical, [Divyāvadāna]

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Avadata, Vasana.

Full-text: Odatavasana, Avadata, Bavari, Kukula, Bhadrapala.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Avadatavasana, Avadātavasana, Avadata-vasana, Avadāta-vasana; (plurals include: Avadatavasanas, Avadātavasanas, vasanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)

Part 1.1 - The Pañcaśīla < [Section II.1 - Morality of the lay person or avadātavasana]

Act 10.1: Samantaraśmi arrives with gifts before Śākyamuni < [Chapter XV - The Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions]

Section II.1 - Morality of the lay person or avadātavasana < [Chapter XXII - The Nature of Morality]

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