Culasumana, Cūḷasumanā, Cūḷasumana, Cūlasumana, Cūlasumanā, Cula-sumana: 1 definition

Introduction:

Culasumana 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

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

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

1. Culasumana Thera - An Elder of Ceylon, master of the Tipitaka and a well known commentator. His explanation, given at Lohapasada, of the meaning of ubhatobhagavimutta is regarded as the most authoritative interpretation (DA.ii.514). The Visuddhimagga (p.364; see also s.v. Culasumma) also mentions a Culasumana, resident at Ninkaponnakapadhanaghara on Cittalapabbata. He had discarded desire, and therefore the thought arose in him that he was a saint.

2. Culasumana - A householder of Ceylon who fell down dead when Pituraja (q.v.) looked at him and gnashed his teeth in anger. Sp.ii.440f.

3. Culasumana - A novice. In a past life he was the Sumanasetthi, under whom Annabhara (q.v.) worked. In this age he was born at Munda, near the Vinjha mountains, as the son of Mahamunda. When Anuruddha became an arahant and looked back into his past lives he saw how Sumana had helped him. He therefore visited Mahamunda and enjoyed his hospitality during one rainy season. At the end of his stay he obtained Mundas consent to ordain Culasumana, who became an arahant while his head was being shaved. Once, when Anuruddha suffered from indigestion, the novice Sumana, having discovered that the water from Anotatta would cure him, went there and brought the water, in spite of all the efforts of the Naga king Pannaka (q.v.) to prevent him. Later, Pannaka, realising the novices power, asked his pardon and became his friend and servitor. When Anuruddha went with Sumana to Savatthi to visit the Buddha, some of the monks began to play with Sumana, patting his head and tweaking his ears. In order to show them Sumanas power, Anuruddha asked Ananda to summon all the novices in the monastery and ask them to fetch water from Anotatta that he might wash his feet. Only Sumana, the youngest of them all, was able to do this, and his fame spread beyond all measure (DhA.iv.128ff).

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A Theri of Ceylon, an eminent teacher of the Vinaya. Dpv.xviii.39.

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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