Bakabrahma, Bakabrahmā, Baka-brahma: 1 definition

Introduction:

Bakabrahma 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

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Bakabrahma in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Bakabrahmā (बकब्रह्मा) is the name of a Brahmadeva from Brahmaloka, according the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 51. Accordingly, “thus, for having once (pūrvanivāse) saved the life of some villagers, P’o-k’ie-fan (Bakabrahmā) obtained an immense (aprameya) incalculable (asaṃkhyeya) lifespan. In the world of the Brahmā gods (brahmaloka), the life-span does not surpass a half kalpa; and this Brahmadeva Baka is alone in having an immense longevity. Thus he conceived a wrong view (mithyādṛṣṭi) and said: ‘I alone am eternally subsistent (nityastha)’. The Buddha went to him and, to destroy this wrong view, told him a jātaka from which it emerges that Bakabrahmā is enjoying such a long life for having formerly saved a village”.

Notes: Four jātakas describing the ups and downs of Baka during his earlier lives explain why, without being eternal, he now enjoys a long life. [...] Before taking rebirth in the Brahmaloka, Baka was a Buddhist monastic. It is said in the Tsa pao tsang king: There was an Āyuṣmat camed P’o-k’ie (Baka). Venerable Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana taught him the contents of the Dharma (dharmoddāna) and he became anāgāmin. After death, he was reborn among the Brahmadevas and had the name P’o-k’ie-fan (Bakabrahmā). When Kokālika, a disciple of Devadatta, accused Śāriputra and Maudgalyāyana of misconduct, Bakabrahmā came down from the Brahmā heaven to defend his former teachers.

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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.

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