Mount Meru: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Mount Meru means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.

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In Hinduism

General definition (in Hinduism)

[«previous next»] — Mount Meru in Hinduism glossary
Source: WikiPedia: Hinduism

Meru (मेरु): An ancient mountain and mythical centre of the universe on which was situated the city of Brahma. Becoming jealous of Meru, the Vindya began to grow very high obstructing the sun, the moon and the planets. Agastya whom the Vindhya mountain respected asked it to stop growing until he crossed it on his way to the south and returned to the north again. But he did not return at all, having settled in the south.

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Mount Meru in Buddhism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Buddhism

Mount Meru is the center of all the physical, metaphysical and spiritual universes. The mountain is said to be 84,000 Yojanas high (672,000 miles). The world extends around Mount Meru. Above the peak is the realm of the Buddha fields (or heavens). On the upper slopes you find the gods. The titans live on the lower slopes. Animals and humans live on the plains around the mountain. Hungry ghosts live on or just below the surface. And hell is deep under the earth. All this is surrounded by a great ocean.

Source: Internet Archive: The gods of northern Buddhism

1. Mount Meru is the supposedly centre of the universe. (chapter 14)

2. Sumeru (Mount) or Mount Meru — supposed highest peak of the Himalayas, and believed to be the centre of the universe. In the Bhadra Kalpavadana it is written: First air, then fire, then earth, and in the centre of the earth, Sumeru, the sides of which are the residence of the thirtythree millions of gods (Devatas). Sakra lives in his paradise which is on its summit, and its four sides are guarded by the four Lokapala. (glossary)

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Mount Meru in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

meru : (m.) name of the highest mountain in the world.

Pali book cover
context information

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.

Discover the meaning of mount meru in the context of Pali from relevant books on Exotic India

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