Alternative spellings of this word include Chauranigama.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Cauranigama (चौरनिगम) refers to a “den of thieves”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 21).—Accordingly, “The immoral person is not respected (satkṛta) by people; his house is like a cemetery into which people do not go; he loses all his virtues like a rotten tree that people despise; [...] he is like bad grain, having the outer appearance of good seed but which is inedible; he is like a den of thieves (cauranigama) where it is not good to stop; he is like a great sickness which no one dares to approach; he does not succeed in avoiding suffering; he is like a bad path difficult to travel on; he is dangerous to visit like an evil thief whom it is difficult to befriend; he is like a big ditch that people who walk avoid; he is bad company like a poisonous snake; [...] Even though he is called Bhikṣu because he has a shaved head, the yellow robe and presents his ‘ticket’ in the proper order, in reality he is not a Bhikṣu”.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Nigama, Caura.

Full-text: Nigama.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Cauranigama, Caura-nigama; (plurals include: Cauranigamas, nigamas). 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 4 - Disadvantages of immorality < [Chapter XXI - Discipline or Morality]

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