Culapanthaka, Cula-panthaka: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Culapanthaka 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 Chulapanthaka.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Culapanthaka in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

An eminent arahant, declared chief among monks skilled in creating forms by mind power and in mental evolution (cittavivatta) (A.i.23). He was the younger son of the daughter of a rich merchant of Rajagaha, who developed intimacy with a slave and fled with him when her misconduct was discovered. She wished to return to her parents for the birth of her first child, but her husband always postponed the visit until, in the end, she started to go without his knowledge. He followed her, but the child was born by the wayside, and therefore they called him Panthaka. The same thing occurred at the birth of the second child, and he also received the name of Panthaka, he being Culapanthaka and his brother Mahapanthaka. When the boys grew up they were taken to Rajagaha, where their grandparents took charge of them. Mahapanthaka often accompanied his grandfather to hear the Buddha preach, and he yearned to become a monk. He easily obtained permission and entered the Order, in due course becoming an arahant. With the consent of his grandparents, he ordained Culapanthaka, but the latter proved to be a dullard, and in the course of four months was unable to learn a single stanza. It is said that in the time of Kassapa Buddha Culapanthaka was a clever monk, who once laughed to scorn a dull colleague who was trying to learn a passage by heart.

When Mahapanthaka discovered his brothers stupidity, he asked him to leave the Order (see DhA.iv.190f), but Culapanthaka so loved the Buddhas teaching that he did not wish to return to the lay life. One day Jivaka Komarabhacca, wishing to give alms to the Buddha and the monks, asked Mahapanthaka, who was acting as steward, to collect all the monks in the monastery. This he did, omitting only Culapanthaka who, he said, had made no progress in the Doctrine. Greatly grieved, Culapanthaka determined to leave the Order, but as he was going out the Buddha met him, took him into the Gandhakuti and comforted him, giving him a clean piece of cloth. Sit with your face to the East, said the Buddha, repeat the words rajoha ranam and wipe your face with the cloth. As Culapanthaka carried out these orders he noticed that the cloth became dirty, and as he concentrated his mind on the impermanence of all things, the Buddha sent a ray of light and exhorted him about the necessity of getting rid of the impurities of lust and other evils. At the end of the admonition Culapanthaka attained arahantship with the four patisambhida, which included knowledge of all the Pitakas.

Tradition has it that Culapanthaka was once a king and that while going in procession round his city he wiped the sweat from his brow with a spotless garment which he wore and noticed how the cloth was stained. His mind then grasped the idea of impermanence, hence the ease with which he did so in his last birth.

Meanwhile,

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).

Discover the meaning of culapanthaka in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Culapanthaka in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Cūlapanthaka (चूलपन्थक).—see Cūḍa°.

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.

Discover the meaning of culapanthaka in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: