In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Ekabījin (एकबीजिन्) in Pali or Ekavīcika in Sanskrit refers to one of the eighteen śaikṣa types of the twenty-seven total classes of individuals (pudgala), as mentioned in the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 36. In contrast to the Pṛthagjana ‘the worldly’, the Āryas who have entered onto the Path (mārga) and who make up the holy Community (saṃgha), are arranged into various groups. Ekabījin is one that is “separated from Nirvāṇa by one rebirth”.

The list of the twenty-seven individuals [viz., Ekabījin] is one of the masterpieces of the Sarvāstivādin-Vaibhaṣika Abhidharma which, with the help of the canonical sources, has located them precisely along the Path to Nirvāṇa. (cf. Vibhāṣā, Saṃyuktābhidharmasāra and Abhidharmāmṛta). The Prajñāpāramitās have used the preceding sources broadly to establish their twenty categories of saints, but the end-point of the career is no longer the entry into Nirvāṇa but the arrival at the state of Buddha by the conquest of Anuttarasaṃyaksaṃbodhi.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

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

Ekabījin refers to: having only one (more) seed, i.e. destined to be reborn only once S.V, 205; A.I, 233; IV, 380; Nett 189.

Note: ekabījin is a Pali compound consisting of the words eka and bījin.

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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Bijin, Eka.

Full-text: Ekavicika.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Ekabijin, Ekabījin, Eka-bijin, Eka-bījin; (plurals include: Ekabijins, Ekabījins, bijins, bījins). 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)

Appendix 11 - The various groups of noble individuals (āryas) < [Chapter XXXVI - The eight recollections (anusmṛti or anussati)]

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