Migara, Migāra: 1 definition

Introduction:

Migara 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

1. Migara. A setthi of Savatthi. His son, Punnavaddhana, married Visakha. He was evidently not as rich as Visakhas father, Dhananjaya, for he drove back, on the plea that he could not afford to feed them, the large retinue who wished to follow Visakha, to her new home. Migara was a follower of the Niganthas, and was angry when Visakha refused to wait on them and pay homage to them when they visited his house. One day, while Migara was eating and Visakha was standing by his side fanning him, a monk stopped at their door, and Visakha stepped aside that Migara might see him. But Migara refused to notice the monk, whom, therefore, Visakha asked to go away, saying that Migara ate stale food (puranam). This greatly annoyed Migara, and he ordered her to be cast out of the house. But the servants refused to carry out his orders, and he was obliged to agree to Visakhas suggestion that the matter should be submitted for arbitration to the eight householders who had accompanied her to enquire into disputes of such a nature. To them, therefore, Migara recited a list of all his grievances against Visakha, but she was adjudged quite innocent and threatened to return at once to her father. Migara begged her to stay, and she agreed on condition that he invited the Buddha and his monks for a meal. He did so, but the Niganthas would not allow him to wait upon the Buddha. At the conclusion of the meal, however, out of politeness, he insisted on listening to the Buddhas sermon, if only from behind a screen. At the conclusion of the sermon Migara became a sotapanna, and, realizing the error of his ways, adopted Visakha as his mother by sucking her breast. Henceforth Visakha was called Migaramata. The next day, again, the Buddha was invited, and Migaras wife became a sotapanna. From that day onwards they kept open house for the Buddha and his monks. As a token of his gratitude, Migara held a great festival in honour of Visakha, to which the Buddha and his monks were invited. She was bathed in sixteen pots of perfumed water and presented with a jeweled ornament called Ghanamatthakapasadhana (DhA.i.387ff.; AA.i.220; MA.i.471f). It is probably this same Migara whose grandson was called Salha (q.v.) Migaranatta; but see Migara (2).

2. Migara. Son of Visakha and Punnavaddhana. DhA.i.407; AA.i.313 says he was their eldest son.

3. Migara Rohaneyya. A very rich setthi of Savatthi. Ugga, Pasenadis minister, mentions him during a visit to the Buddha and remarks on his immense wealth. But the Buddha reminds him that Migaras treasure is not real treasure in that it is subject to various dangers fire, water, kings, robbers, enemies and heirs. A.iv.7.

The Commentary says (AA.ii.697) that Migara was called Rohaneyya because he was the grandson of Rohanasetthi.

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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