Niddesa: 4 definitions
Introduction:
Niddesa means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 NamesA commentarial work included in the Canon as part of the Khuddaka Nikaya. It is generally divided into two books: the Culla Niddesa and the Maha Niddesa.
The Culla Niddesa contains comments on the Khaggavisana Sutta and the sixteen suttas of the Parayana Vagga of the Sutta Nipata, while the Maha Niddesa deals with the sixteen suttas of the Atthaka Vagga.
It is significant that the Culla Niddesa contains no comments on the fifty six (Vatthugatha) introductory stanzas, which preface the Parayana Vagga as at present found in the Sutta Nipata. This lends support to the suggestion that at the time the Culla Niddesa was written the Parayana Vagga, was a separate anthology, and that the Khaggavisana Sutta did not belong to any particular group. Similarly with the Maha Niddesa and the Atthaka Vagga.
The comments in the Niddesa seem to have been modeled on exegetical explanations such as are attributed here and there in the Pitakas to Maha Kaccana (E.g., Madhupindika Sutta (M.i.110f); also S.iii.9) and to Sariputta (E.g., Sangiti Sutta, D.iii.207f).
There is a tradition (NidA. p.1), which ascribes the authorship of the Niddesa to Sariputta. There exists a Commentary on it, called the Saddhammapajjotika, by Upasena. It was written in Ceylon at the request of a monk called Deva Thera.
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).
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionaryniddesa : (m.) description; analytic explanation.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryNiddesa, (Sk. nirdeśa, fr. niddisati, cp. desa, desaka etc. ) 1. description, attribute, distinction PvA. 7 (ukkaṭṭha°); °vatthu object of distinction or praise D. III, 253= A. IV, 15 (where reading is niddasa, which also as v. l. at D. III, 253 & Ps. I, 5).—2. descriptive exposition, analytic explanation by way of question & answer, interpretation, exegesis Vin. V, 114 (sa°); Nett 4, 8 38 sq.; Vism. 26; DhsA. 54; VvA. 78; PvA. 71, 147. ‹-› 3. N. of an old commentary (ascribed to Sāriputta) on parts of the Sutta Nipāta (Aṭṭhaka-vagga, interpreted in the Mahā-Niddesa; Pārāyana-vagga and, as a sort of appendix, the Khaggavisāṇa-sutta, interpreted in the Culla-Niddesa); as one of the canonical texts included in the Khuddaka Nikāya; editions in P. T. S. Quoted often in the Visuddhimagga, e.g. p. 140, 208 sq. etc. (Page 358)
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.
Prakrit-English dictionary
Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionaryṆiddesa (णिद्देस) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Nirdeśa.
Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Niddesaga, Niddesaya.
Ends with: Culla Niddesa, Khandhaniddesa, Mahaniddesa, Patiniddesa, Suttaniddesa, Ukkatthaniddesa.
Full-text (+35): Nirdesha, Culla Niddesa, Niddasa, Mahaniddesa, Patiniddesa, Vyapaka, Ukkatthaniddesa, Khandhaniddesa, Khuddakanikaya, Culla, Saddhammatthitika, Patippassaddhi, Upasiva Manava Puccha, Hindagu, Tuvataka Sutta, Rajakhadaya, Rajakkhata, Virupa, Pannabhumi, Puṇṇabhadda.
Relevant text
Search found 24 books and stories containing Niddesa, Ṇiddesa, Ṇiddēsa; (plurals include: Niddesas, Ṇiddesas, Ṇiddēsas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Visuddhimagga (the pah of purification) (by Ñāṇamoli Bhikkhu)
Chapter XVII - Dependent Origination (paññā-bhūmi-niddesa) < [Part 3 - Understanding (Paññā)]
Chapter XI - Nutriment and the Elements (samādhi-niddesa) < [Part 2 - Concentration (Samādhi)]
Chapter VIII - Other Recollections as Meditation Subjects < [Part 2 - Concentration (Samādhi)]
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
Part 11 - Niddesa Pali < [Chapter VIII - Khuddaka Nikaya]
The Life of Sariputta (by Nyanaponika Thera)
The Turner Of The Wheel < [Part II - Maturity Of Insight]
A Survey of Paramattha Dhammas (by Sujin Boriharnwanaket)
Chapter 1 - The Scriptures And Their Commentaries < [Part 1 - General Introduction]
Chapter 6 - Different Aspects of the Four Paramattha Dhammas < [Part 1 - General Introduction]
Chapter 1 - The Natural Way Of Development < [Part 6 - Dialogue on Vipassanā]
Philosophy of language in the Five Nikayas (by K.T.S. Sarao)
2.5(f). Khuddaka Nikāya (Collection of Little Texts) < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]
Part IV - On The Method And Argument Of The Manual < [Introductory Essay]
Part III - On The Commentaries And The Importance Of The Atthasalini < [Introductory Essay]
Chapter II - Good In Relation To The Universe Of Form < [Part I - Good States Of Consciousness]