Brahmin; 3 Definition(s)
Introduction
Brahmin means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
The brahman (brahmin) caste of India has long maintained that its members, by their birth, are worthy of the highest respect. Buddhism borrowed the term brahman to apply to those who have attained the goal, to show that respect is earned not by birth, race, or caste, but by spiritual attainment. Used in the Buddhist sense, this term is synonymous with arahant.
Source: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsTheravāda 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).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
A Brahmin is a practitioner of celibacy, truth, contentment and abiding alms seeker whereas a Kṣatriya is brave, expert of war tactics, brilliant, and effective. In preserving and maintaining religious order along with practice of celibacy, truth, character, etc. along with vigour is essential. A person born in a Brahmin caste is peaceful, of a good character and soft nature, also needs vigour and imposing personality. Propagation of non-violence (ahiṃsā) by a person like a Brahmin is not effective as he lacks bravery. But when a brilliant person from the Kṣatriyas courageously gives up weapons and warfare and royal grandeur and talks of ahiṃsā, certainly it has an impact.
Source: HereNow4u: Tīrthaṅkara (ford maker) and Kevalīs (omniscient)
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Brahmin (ब्रह्मिन्).—a. Relating to Brahma. -m. An epithet of Viṣṇu.
Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. 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.
Relevant definitions
Search found 970 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Pataliputtaka Brahmin | A brahmin of Pataliputta. He and a friend, both of that
city, having heard of the virtues of ... | |
| Sudarshana | Sudarśana (सुदर्शन) is the name of a gambler from Viyogapura, according to the Kathāsaritsāgara... | |
| Bharadvaja | Bhāradvāja (भारद्वाज) is the name of a Brahmin from Śrāvastī, according to the 2nd century Mahā... | |
| Vidura | Vidura (विदुर) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.61.79) and represents one of the ... | |
| Pataliputra | Pāṭaliputra is the name of an ancient locality.—The plot of the Mudrārākṣasa revolves around th... | |
| Gautama | Gautama (गौतम) or Gautamasaṃhitā is the name of a Vaiṣṇava Āgama scripture, classified as a tām... | |
| Bhima | Bhīma (भीम) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as ment... | |
| Canda | 1) Caṇḍā (चण्डा) is another name for Liṅginī, an unidentified medicinal plant, according to ver... | |
| Varuna | Vāruṇa (वारुण) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as m... | |
| Pingala | Piṅgala (पिङ्गल) is the name of a king whose strength is considered as equaling a half-power wa... | |
| Matanga | Mataṅga (मतङ्ग) or Mataṅgāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Para... | |
| Brahma | Brāhma (ब्राह्म) or Brāhmāgama refers to one of upāgamas (supplementary scriptures) of the Aṃśu... | |
| Shankha | Śaṅkha (शङ्ख) participated in the war between Rāma and Rāvaṇa, on the side of the latter, as me... | |
| Brahmana | Brāhmaṇa (ब्राह्मण) according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 32.—The Buddh... | |
| Anga | Aṅga is one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of the Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India,... |
Relevant text
Search found 76 books and stories containing Brahmin. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 402: Sattubhasta-jātaka < [Volume 3]
Jataka 113: Sigāla-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]
Jataka 307: Palāsa-jātaka < [Volume 3]
The Shiva Purana (by J. L. Shastri)
Chapter 6 - The Brahmin lady attains heaven < [Section 4 - Koṭirudra-Saṃhitā]
Chapter 26 - Pārvatī-Jaṭila dialogue < [Section 2.3 - Rudra-saṃhitā (3): Pārvatī-khaṇḍa]
Chapter 7 - The greatness of Nandikeśvara < [Section 4 - Koṭirudra-Saṃhitā]
The Gautami Mahatmya (by G. P. Bhatt)
Chapter 22 - Pāpapraṇāśana-tīrtha
Chapter 100 - Cakṣustīrtha and other Holy Centres
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 3 - The story of the Brahmin called Verañja or Agnidatta < [Chapter IV - Explanation of the Word Bhagavat]
Story of the brahmin who unwittingly ate disgusting cakes < [Chapter XXXVII - The Ten Concepts]
The Udaya-sutta and the Sundarika-sutta < [III. Recollection of the community (saṃgānusmṛti)]
The Brahma Purana (by G. P. Bhatt)
Chapter 115 - Characteristics of mixed castes
Chapter 120 - The benefits of singing devotional songs of Viṣṇu while keeping awake at night
A Discourse on Paticcasamuppada (by Venerable Mahasi Sayadaw)
Chapter 10 - Pure Thought And Happiness < [Part 3]
Chapter 16 - Attachment To Belief < [Part 8]
Chapter 17 - Superstition And Evil Rebirth < [Part 8]