Mahasudassana Sutta, Mahāsudassana-sutta: 1 definition
Introduction:
Mahasudassana Sutta 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 NamesPreached between the twin Sala trees in Upavattana, the grove of the Mallas. Ananda asks the Buddha not to die in the little wattle and daub town of Kusinara, but in some important city, such as Campa, Rajagaha or Savatthi. The Buddha tells him that Kusinara was once Kusavati, the royal city of King Mahasudassana, and was surrounded by seven ramparts, a city containing all the characteristics of a great capital.
Mahasudassana possessed the seven treasures of a Cakkavatti:
the cakka ratana, the hatthi ratana (named Uposatha), the assa ratana (named Valahaka), the mani ratana, the itthi ratana (pearl among women), the gahapati ratana, and the parinayaka ratana.He also possessed four iddhi powers: he was handsome, long lived, free from disease, and beloved by all classes of people. He had lotus ponds made all over his kingdom, food and clothing being placed on their banks for any who might require them. With the money brought to the king by the people, Vissakamma, under Sakkas orders, built the Dhammapasada Palace, filled with all splendor and luxury. The king possessed a gabled hall called Mahavyuha, where he spent the hot part of the day. In front of the Dhammapasada was the Dhammapokkharani.
Having realized that his power and glory were the result of past good deeds, Mahasudassana practiced generosity, self conquest and self control, and developed the four jhanas, suffusing all quarters with thoughts of love and pity and sympathy and equanimity.
Mahasudassana had eighty four thousand cities, the chief of which was Kusavati; eighty four thousand palaces, the chief being Dhammapasada; eighty four thousand gabled houses, the chief being Mahavyuha; eighty four thousand state elephants, led by Uposatha; and eighty four thousand horses, led by Valahaka. He had eighty four thousand chariots led by Vejayanta, and eighty four thousand wives, of whom Subbadda was the chief. One day, the king realized that his death was approaching, and, when Subhadda visited him to try and induce him to enjoy his pleasures, he stopped her, telling her to speak to him of the impermanence of things and the need for giving up all desire. While she talked to him of these things, he died and was reborn in the Brahma world. For eighty four thousand years be bad been a prince, a viceroy and a king respectively, and later, for forty eight thousand years, a devout layman in the Dhammapasada. Mahasudassana is identified with the Buddha (D.ii.169 99; the story is also referred to at S.iii.144).
In the time of Kassapa Buddha, Sudassana had been a forester. He met a monk in the forest and built a hut for him. He also requested the monk to receive alms every day at his house or, at least, to eat there. The monk agreed, and Sudassana made his hut comfortable in every way, constructing walks,
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).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Mahasudassana, Sutta.
Full-text: Sudassana Sutta, Mahasudassana, Mahasudassana Jataka, Ambalatthika, Vasabha, First Antarakalpa.
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Search found 6 books and stories containing Mahasudassana Sutta, Mahāsudassana-sutta; (plurals include: Mahasudassana Suttas, suttas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Philosophy of language in the Five Nikayas (by K.T.S. Sarao)
2.5(b). Dīgha Nikāya (The Long Discourses of the Buddha) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Part 44 - The Buddha discoursed on the Mahāsudassana Sutta < [Chapter 40 - The Buddha Declared the Seven Factors of Non-Decline for Rulers]
Part 36 - Kusināgara as Buddha’s Last Repose < [Chapter 40 - The Buddha Declared the Seven Factors of Non-Decline for Rulers]
Part 4 - The Birth of the Bodhisatta < [Chapter 1 - The Jewel of the Buddha]
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
(b) Maha Vagga Pali < [Chapter IV - Suttanta Pitaka]
Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga (by T. W. Rhys Davids)
Cullavagga, Khandaka 5, Chapter 14 < [Khandaka 5 - On the Daily Life of the Bhikkhus]
Chapter II - The Group On Cause < [Part I]
The Buddha and His Teachings (by Narada Thera)