Isidatta, Ishidatta: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Isidatta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, the history of ancient India. 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 Names1. Isidatta - A thera. He was the son of a caravan guide at Vaddhagama (v.l. Velugama) in Avanti. By correspondence he became the unseen friend of Citta gahapati of Macchikasanda. The latter once sent him a letter regarding the excellences of the Buddha, and Isidatta, being pleased with the account given of the Buddhas religion, entered the Order under Maha Kaccana and in due course became an arahant. Later, with Maha Kaccanas leave, he visited the Buddha in the Majjhimadesa and was warmly received by him (ThagA.i.238). A verse uttered by Isidatta, in response to the Buddhas enquiry regarding his welfare, is recorded in the Theragatha (v.120).
Isidatta had been a householder in the time of Vipassi Buddha and once, having seen the Buddha walking along the street and being pleased with his demeanour, he gave him an amoda fruit (ThagA. loc. cit.). He is, probably, identical with Amodapaliya of the Apadana (ii.447).
According to the Samyutta Nikaya (iv.283-8, also AA.i.210), Isidatta was once staying with a number of senior monks at Macchikasanda in the Ambataka grove. Citta gahapati invited the monks to a meal. On this occasion Citta asked a question regarding the Buddhas teaching on the diversity of the elements. The chief Elder, being unable to answer, remained silent. Isidatta, though the most junior of the whole company, obtained the chief Elders permission, and answered the question to the satisfaction of Citta. Citta likewise asked questions regarding various views, such as the infinity of the world, etc. At the end of the discourse, Citta discovered, by accident, that the Elder who had preached to him was none other than his unseen friend, Isidatta. Delighted with the discovery, he invited Isidatta to spend his time at a Macchikasanda, promising to provide him with all requisites. But that same day Isidatta left Macchikasanda and never returned. Because, says Buddhaghosa (AA.i.210), he did not wish to stay after having been recognised.
2. Isidatta - An equerry or chamberlain (thapati) of Pasenadi, King of Kosala. Isidatta is always mentioned with Purana. Their duty was to look after the ladies of the kings harem when these went riding the elephant into the park. This often brought them into close contact with the ladies, and they confessed to the Buddha that it was difficult not to have evil thoughts regarding them.
Isidatta and Purana were once at Sadhuka on some business (their own property, according to Buddhaghosa, SA.i.215). They heard that the Buddha was having a robe made before starting on his rounds and they waited for an opportunity to talk to him. When the opportunity came they followed the Buddha and told him how glad they always were when he was near them and how sad when he was away on tour.
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).
India history and geography
Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early BuddhismIsidatta (इसिदत्त) was a Buddhist from Avanti: one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas of the Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—Avanti is mentioned in the Aṅguttara Nikāya as one of the sixteen great Janapadas. Avanti was an important centre of Buddhism. Some of the leading Theras and Therīs were either born or resided there, e.g., Abhayakumāra, Isidāsī, Isidatta, Soṇakuṭikaṇṇa, and Mahākaccāna. The Dhammapada Commentary tells us that when Mahākaccāna was living at the city of Kuraraghara in Avanti, he ordained an upasāka named Sonakuṭikaṇṇa.
The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryIṣidatta (इषिदत्त).—(= Pali Isi°; semi-MIndic for Ṛṣidatta, q.v., also Riṣi°), name of a sthapati of King Prasenajit of Śrāvastī (Kosala): Divyāvadāna 77.27; 466.23, in both read, substantially with mss., (gṛhapatir) Iṣidattaḥ Purāṇaḥ sthapatī (dual).
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Iṣidatta (इषिदत्त) or Riṣidatta.—(Ṛṣi°) , qq.v., Avadāna-śataka i.224.3, name of a sthapati of Śrāvastī.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Isidatta Sutta.
Ends with: Rishidatta.
Full-text (+5): Isidatta Sutta, Velugama, Migasala, Alajanapada, Sadhuka, Amoraphaliya, Mahasona, Rishidatta, Purana, Thapatayo Sutta, Migasala Sutta, Abhayakumara, Isidasi, Sonakutikanna, Mahakaccana, Avanti, Macchikasanda, Cula Siva, Ambatakavana, Dhammacetiya Sutta.
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Search found 3 books and stories containing Isidatta, Ishidatta, Iṣidatta; (plurals include: Isidattas, Ishidattas, Iṣidattas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
The Second Isidatta Sutta < [Chapter 45a - The Life Stories of Male Lay Disciples]
The first Isidatta Sutta < [Chapter 45a - The Life Stories of Male Lay Disciples]
Biography (3): Citta, the Householder < [Chapter 45a - The Life Stories of Male Lay Disciples]
Bihar and Eastern Uttar Pradesh (early history) (by Prakash Narayan)
Brother and Brother < [Chapter 4 - Social Process, Structures and Reformations]
Cetasikas (by Nina van Gorkom)
Chapter 16 - Wrong View < [Part III - Akusala Cetasikas]