Nigantha, Nigaṇṭha, Niganthā: 5 definitions
Introduction
Nigantha 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 NamesThe name given to the Jains, the followers of Nigantha Nataputta. Unlike the Acelakas, they wore one garment, a covering in front. But when praised for their modesty, they answered that their reason for wearing a garment was to prevent dust and dirt from falling into their alms dishes. For even dust and dirt are actual individuals and endowed with the principle of life (DhA.iii.489).
The chief precepts of the Nigantha are included in the catuyamasamvara - the fourfold restraint (for their beliefs and practices see Nigantha Nataputta). The chief centres of the Niganthas, in the time of the Buddha, seem to have been Vesali (e.g., J.iii.1; M.i.228) and Nalanda (M.i.371), though they had settlements in other important towns, such as Rajagaha (e.g., at Kalasila, on the slopes of Isigili, M.i.92).
The chief patrons of the Buddhas time were:
Sihasenapati in Vesali, Upaligahapati in Nalanda and Vappa the Sakyan in Kapilavatthu (AA.ii.751).The books contain several names besides that of Nataputta of distinguished members of the Nigantha Order - e.g., Digha Tapassi, and Saccaka, and also of several women, Sacca, Lola, Avavadaka and Patacara (J.iii.1).
The lay followers of the Niganthas wore white garments (M.ii.244).
In the Chalabhijati classification of Purana Kassapa, the Ekasataka Niganthas occupied the third rank, the red (A.iii.384). The Buddha condemned the Niganthas as unworthy in ten respects:
they were without faith, unrighteous, without fear and shame, they chose wicked men as friends, extolled themselves and disparaged others, were greedy of present gain, obstinate, untrustworthy, sinful in their thoughts, and held wrong views (A.v.150).Their fast resembled a herdsman looking after the kine by day, which were restored to their owners at eventide (Ibid., i.205f). The Niganthas were so called because they claimed to be free from all bonds (amhakam ganthanakileso palibujjhanakileso natthi, kilesaganthirahita mayan ti evam vaditaya laddhanamavasena Nigantho) (E.g., MA.i.423).
The Buddhist books record (M.ii.243f.; D.iii.117, 210) that there was great dissension among the Niganthas after the death of Nataputta at Pava. The Commentaries state (DA.iii.906; MA.ii.831) that Nataputta, realizing on his death bed the folly and futility of his teaching, wished his followers to accept the Buddhas teaching In order to bring this about, he taught his doctrine in two different ways to two different pupils, just before his death. To the one he said that his teaching was Nihilism (uccheda), and to the other that it was Eternalism (sassata). As a result, they quarrelled violently among themselves, and the Order broke up.
That the Niganthas lasted till, at least, the time of Nagasena,
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).
In Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Source: Wisdom Library: JainismNigaṇṭha (निगण्ठ) or Niyaṇṭha or Nirgrantha refers to a Jain monk or ascetic (i.e., a follower of Mahāvīra).
Source: Pali Text Society: Journal vol. XXVI (jainism)Nigaṇṭha (निगण्ठ) is clearly recognized as a Jain term is shown by the etymological explanation occasionally recorded in the Pāli commentaries, an etymology which is ascribed to the Jains and actually attested in their own tradition: “we do not have defilements which are like knots, we are free of the defilements of obstruction, hence the name Nigaṇṭha”. This statement accords with Jain texts, where the traditional image of the spiritual “knots” (already known from several Upanișads) is felt as being conveyed by the word ṇiggantha in the commentaries. Thus Pāli sources do not seem to bear trace of any malicious or derogatory interpretation of the term. The fact that nigaṇṭha is used as the normal designation of Jain ascetics in the oldest Jain sources (Śramaṇic poetry as well as disciplinary books) confirms its antiquity. The phonetic aspect of the word (nigaṇṭha, with a single -ga-, and the prefix ni- instead of nir-) are supported by Prakrit niyaṇṭha and also point to an old form.
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionarynigaṇṭha : (m.) a member of the Jain Order. Naked ascetic.
Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English DictionaryNigaṇṭha, (BSk. nirgrantha (Divy 143, 262 etc.) “freed from all ties, ” nis+gaṇṭhi. This is the customary (correct?) etym. Prk. niggantha, cp. Weber, Bhagavatī p. 165) a member of the Jain order (see M. I, 370—375, 380 & cp. jaṭila) Vin. I, 233 (Nātaputta, the head of that Order, cp. D. I, 57; also Sīho senāpati n-sāvako); S. I, 78, 82 (°bhikkhā); A. I, 205 sq. (°uposatha), cp. 220; II, 196 (°sāvaka); III, 276, 383; V, 150 (dasahi asaddhammehi samannāgata); Sn. 381; Ud. 65 (jaṭilā, n. , acelā, ekasātā, paribbājakā); J. II, 262 (object to eating flesh); DA. I, 162; DhA. I, 440; III, 489; VvA. 29 (n. nāma samaṇajāti).—f. nigaṇṭhī D. I, 54 (nigaṇṭhi-gabbha). (Page 354)
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: Nigantha Nataputta.
Ends with: Adanigantha, Mahanigantha.
Full-text (+74): Pandukabhaya, Nathaputtiya, Ajatasatru, Mahanigantha, Sankha Sutta, Nataputta, Giri, Nirgrantha, Niyantha, Nigganthi, Pasadika Sutta, Ninka, Nalanda, Garahadinna, Manosatta, Macchikasanda, Akotaka, Akankha Vagga, Nanatitthiya Sutta, Sacca.
Relevant text
Search found 22 books and stories containing Nigantha, Nigaṇṭha, Niganthā; (plurals include: Niganthas, Nigaṇṭhas, Niganthās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Abhaya Rājakumāra Sutta in Brief < [Chapter 42 - The Dhamma Ratanā]
Part 2 - The Sandal-Wood Bowl < [Chapter 24 - The Buddha’s Sixth Vassa at Mount Makula]
Buddha attributes (6): Anuttaropurisa damma sārathi < [Chapter 42 - The Dhamma Ratanā]
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
Part I - Devadaha Vagga < [(c) Uparipannasa Pali]
Part I - Gahapati Vagga < [(b) Majjihma Pannasa Pali]
(d) Salayatana Vagga Samyutta Pali < [Chapter VI - Samyutta Nikaya]
Mahavamsa (by Wilhelm Geiger)
Dipavamsa (study) (by Sibani Barman)
Vinaya Pitaka (3): Khandhaka (by I. B. Horner)
The story of General Sīha < [6. Medicine (Bhesajja)]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 1 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 1 - The Origin of Jainism < [Chapter VI - The Jaina Philosophy]