Himava, Himavā: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Himava 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)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The name given to the Himalaya. It is one of the seven mountain ranges surrounding Gandhamadana (SNA.i.66).

It is three hundred thousand leagues in extent (SNA.i.224), with eighty four thousand peaks its highest peak being five hundred yojanas (SNA.ii.443) In Himava, are seven great lakes, each fifty leagues in length, breadth and depth - Anotatta, Kannamunda, Rathakara, Chaddanta, Kunala, Mandakini and Sihappapataka; these lakes are never heated by the sun (A.iv.101; SNA.ii.407; cf. AA.ii.759). From Himava flow five hundred rivers. SNA.ii.437; but according to Mil.114, only ten of these are to be reckoned, the others flowing only intermittently. These ten are: Ganga, Yamuna, Aciravati, Sarabhu, Mahi, Sindhu, Sarassati, Vettavati, Vitamsa and Candabhaga.

In numerous Jatakas Himava is mentioned as the place to which ascetics retire when they leave household life. It is full of woodlands and groves, suitable for hermits (E.g., SA.i.265). In Himava is a peak named Mahapapata where Pacceka Buddhas die (SNA.i.129). Nagas go to Himava to give birth to their young (SA.iii.120; cf. S.v.63). The mountain is often used in similes; it is then referred to as pabbataraja (E.g., S.ii.137; v.464; A.iii.311; M.iii.166, etc.). Sivali Thera once went there from Savatthi with five hundred others. The journey took them eight days. (Details are given at ThagA.ii.138; PSA.252).

The country round Himava was converted by Majjhima Thera (Mhv.xii.41). He was accompanied by four others: Kassapagotta, Muladeva (Alakadeva), Sahadeva and Dundubhissara (Dpv.viii.10; MT.317). Majjhima preached the Damma cakka ppavattana Sutta and eighty crores attained salvation. These five Theras converted five kingdoms and each ordained one hundred thousand persons (Mhv.xii.42f).

Devas brought for Asokas use, from the Himalaya, twigs of the nagalata to clean his teeth, healthful fruits, myrobalan, teminalia and mango fruit (Mhv.v.25f), while, for the foundation of the Maha Thupa, samaneras with iddhi power brought sweet scented marumba (Mhv.xxix.9).

The Kunala Jataka (q.v.) was preached in the region of Himava. The Buddha took the Sakyan princes there and showed them the various features, including many mountain peaks, such as: Manipabbata, Hingulapabbata, Anjanapabbata, Sanupabbata, and Phalikapabbata (J.v.415).

On fast days the gods assemble in Himava and hold discourses. Sp.iv.759.

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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