Meghiya: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Meghiya 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)
Meghiya Thera. He belonged to a Sakyan family of Kapilavatthu, and having joined the Order, was for some time the personal attendant of the Buddha. Once, when the Buddha was staying with him at Calika (this was in the thirteenth year after the Enlightenment, BuA.3), Meghiya went to Jantugama for alms, and, on his return, was much attracted by a mango grove on the banks of the river Kimikala. He asked the Buddhas permission to dwell there in meditation. Twice the Buddha refused, but, on his third request, let him go. There, however, Meghiya was consumed by evil thoughts and returned to the Buddha. The Buddha preached to him on the five things which make the heart ripe for emancipation good friends, virtuous life, profitable talks, zealous exertion, insight and admonished him. Meghiya thereupon attained arahantship. A.iv.354ff.; Ud.iv.1; Thag.66; AA.ii.794; DhA.i.289 says, however, that at the end of the Buddhas sermon Meghiya became a sotapanna.
Ninety one kappas ago, on the death of Vipassi Buddha, there was a great earthquake. The people were very frightened, but Vessavana explained to them the reason for it and dispelled their fears. Meghiya was then a householder, and having thus heard of the Buddhas qualities, was filled with joy. Fourteen kappas ago he was a king named Samita (UdA.217ff.; ThagA.i.149f). He is evidently to be identified with Buddhasannaka of the Apadana. Ap.i.151f.
Meghiya Vagga. The fourth section of the Udana.
Meghiya Sutta. Preached to Meghiya (q.v.) on the five factors which make the heart ripe for emancipation. A.iv.354ff.
Meghiya Thera Vatthu. The story of Meghiya Thera (q.v.). DhA.i.287ff.
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).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Meghiya (मेघिय) is the name of a disciple of the Buddha, as mentioned in an appendix of the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLI. Ānanda fulfilled his mission with the greatest devotion for the last twenty-five years of the Teacher’s life. Before Ānanda took charge, other disciples functioned temporarily. The commtary of the Theragāthā and that of the Udāna record seven of them and the old canonical sources confirm this. Viz., Meghiya (Udāna, p. 34, l. 4).
Meghiya (मेघिय) is also mentioned as a disciple of the Buddha, according to the the Vinayamātṛkā of the Haimavatas.—The Vinayamātṛkā of the Haimavatas knows of eight disciples who, “fan in hand, fanned the Buddha”. These were [viz., Meghiya].
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
meghiya (မေဃိယ) [(pu) (ပု)]—
[Pali to Burmese]
meghiya—
(Burmese text):
မေဃိယထေရ်။
(Auto-Translation):
Magic hair.
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)
Starts with (+0): Meghiyasuttanta, Meghiyasuttasamvannana, Meghiyatthera, Meghiyavagga.
Full-text (+0): Meghiyatthera, Meghiyasuttanta, Meghiyavagga, Kimikala, Jantugama, Mi xi, Samita, Calika, Pacinavamsadaya, Ananda.
Relevant text
Search found 12 books and stories containing Meghiya; (plurals include: Meghiyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Buddhavamsa—The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Chapter 32a - The Buddha’s Thirteenth Vassa on Cālika Hill < [Volume 4]
Biography (30): Ānanda Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Part 2 - Establishment of Rāhula in Arahatship through the Cūla-Rāhulovāda Sutta < [Chapter 32b - The Buddha’s Fourteenth Vassa at Savatthi]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 33-34 - The Story of Venerable Meghiya < [Chapter 3 - Citta Vagga (Mind)]
Verse 54-55 - The Story of the Question Raised by the Venerable Ānanda < [Chapter 4 - Puppha Vagga (Flowers)]
Verse 368-376 - The Story of a Devout Lady and the Thieves < [Chapter 25 - Bhikkhu Vagga (The Monk)]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 7 - The Buddha’s assistants (upasthāyaka) < [Chapter XLI - The Eighteen Special Attributes of the Buddha]
II. Being the assistant of the Buddha < [Part 3 - Acquiring precedence, etc.]
Fundamentals of Vipassana Meditation (by Venerable Mahāsi Sayādaw)
Vipassana Dipani (by Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw)
Catusacca Dipani (by Mahathera Ledi Sayadaw)