Brahmacariya, Brahma-cariya, Brahmacariyā: 6 definitions

Introduction:

Brahmacariya 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.

Alternative spellings of this word include Brahmachariya.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Brahmacariya in Theravada glossary

'pure (chaste) or holy life', is a term for the life of the monk.

Also a lay-devotee who observes the 8 moral precepts (sikkhāpada), takes as the third precept the vow of chastity, i.e. full abstention from sexual relations.

The highest aim and purpose of b. is, according to M. 29, the 'unshakable deliverance of mind' (akuppā ceto-vimutti).

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines
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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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Brahmacariya in Pali glossary

brahmacariyā : (f.) religious life; complete chastity.

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

Brahmacariya, (nt.) (brahma+cariya) a term (not in the strictly Buddhist sense) for observance of vows of holiness, particularly of chastity: good & moral living (brahmaṃ cariyaṃ brahmāṇaṃ vā cariyaṃ=brahmacariyaṃ KhA 151); esp. in Buddh. sense the moral life, holy life, religious life, as way to end suffering, Vin. I, 12, 19, renouncing the world, study of the Dhamma D. I, 84, 155; II, 106; III, 122 sq. , 211; M. I, 77, 147, 193, 205, 426, 463, 492, 514; II, 38; III, 36, 116; S. I, 38, 43, 87, 105, 154, 209; II, 24, 29, 120, 219, 278, 284 (°pariyosāna); III, 83, 189; IV, 51, 104, 110, 126, 136 sq. , 163, 253, V, 7 sq. , 15 sq. , 26 sq. , 54 sq. , 233, 262, 272, 352; A. I, 50, 168, 225; II, 26, 44, 185; III, 250, 346; IV, 311; V, 18, 71, 136; Sn. 267, 274 (vas-uttama), 566, 655, 1128; Th. 1, 1027, 1079; It. 28, 48, 78, 111; Dh. 155, 156, 312; J. III, 396; IV, 52; Pv. II, 913; DhA. IV, 42 (vasuttamaṃ); VbhA. 504.—brahmacariyaṃ vussati to live the religious life A. I, 115 (cp. °ṃ vusitaṃ in formula under Arahant II. A); °assa kevalin wholly given up to a good life A. I, 162; °ṃ santānetuṃ to continue the good life A. III, 90; DhA. I, 119; komāra° the religious training of a well-bred youth A. III, 224; Sn. 289.—abrahmacariya unchastity, an immoral life, sinful living M. I, 514; D. I, 4; Sn. 396; KhA 26.

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Brahmacariya refers to: see separate article.

Note: brahmacariya is a Pali compound consisting of the words brahma and cariya.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

brahmacariya (ဗြဟ္မစရိယ) [(na) (န)]—
[brahma+cariya]
[ဗြဟ္မ+စရိယ]

Source: Sutta: Pali Word Grammar from Pali Myanmar Dictionary
Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Brahmacariya in Sanskrit glossary

Brahmacariya (ब्रह्मचरिय).—(= Pali id., Sanskrit °carya), chastity: Mahāvastu i.202.5 (verse, but °carya is metrical(ly) equally good and occurs in same verse ii.6.2).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary
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.

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