Patacara, Patācārā: 1 definition
Introduction:
Patacara 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 Names1. Patacara Theri
An arahant. She was the daughter of a banker of Savatthi, and, when grown up, formed an intimacy with a servant. When her parents wished to marry her to a youth of her own rank, she ran away with her lover and lived in a hamlet. As the time for her confinement drew near, she wished to return to her parents, but the husband, on various pretexts, put off the visit. One day when he was out she left a message with the neighbours and started for Savatthi. Her husband followed her, but on the way she gave birth to a son, and they returned home. The same happened when her second child was born, but soon after its birth a great storm broke, and her husband went to cut some sticks and grass in the jungle with which to make a shelter. He was bitten by a snake and died.
The wife spent the night in misery, lying on the ground hugging her children. In the morning she discovered her husbands body, and started off to go to her parents. On the way she had to cross a river, and, because it was in flood, she could not carry both her children across at the same time. She therefore left the younger on some leaves on the bank and started wading across with the other. In midstream she looked back and saw a hawk swoop down and carry away the babe. In her excitement she dropped the child she was carrying and it was swept away by the flood. Distracted, she went on towards Savatthi, but on the way she learnt that the house in which her parents and brother lived had fallen on them in the night and that they had been burnt on one pyre.
Mad with grief, she wandered about in circles, and because, as she circled round, her skirt cloth fell from her, she was called Patacara (cloak walker). People drove her from their doors, till one day she arrived in Jetavana, where the Buddha was preaching. The people round him tried to stop her from approaching, but the Buddha called her to him and talked to her. By the potency of his gentleness, she regained presence of mind and crouched on the earth. A man threw her his outer robe, and she, wearing it, drew close to the Buddha, and worshipping at his feet, told him her story and begged for his help.
The Buddha spoke to her words of consolation, making her realize the inevitable ness of death; he then taught her the Truth. When he finished speaking, she became a Sotapanna and asked for ordination. Her request was granted, and one day, while washing her feet, she noticed how the water trickled, sometimes only to a short distance, sometimes further, and she pondered, even so do mortals die, either in childhood, in middle age, or in old age. The Buddha sent her a ray of glory and appeared before her, speaking and confirming her thoughts. When he had finished speaking, Patacara won arahantship. She later became a great teacher, and many women, stricken with grief,
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).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Patacaram.
Full-text: Bhikkhuni, Sacca, Canda, Avavadaka, Uttama, Pasura, Saccaka, Cullakalinga Jataka, Kiki, Padumuttara, Nigantha, Aciravati, Kisagotami.
Relevant text
Search found 9 books and stories containing Patacara, Patācārā; (plurals include: Patacaras, Patācārās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 113 - The Story of Nun Patācārā < [Chapter 8 - Sahassa Vagga (Thousands)]
Verse 242-243 - The Story of a Man Whose Wife Committed Adultery < [Chapter 18 - Mala Vagga (Impurities)]
Verse 235-238 - The Story of the Son of a Butcher < [Chapter 18 - Mala Vagga (Impurities)]
Vipassana Meditation (by Chanmyay Sayadaw)
Part 5 - Seven Benefits Of Meditation < [Chapter 3 - Seven Benefits Of Mindfulness Meditation]
Mindfulness Meditation Made Easy (by Dhammasami)
A Manual of Abhidhamma (by Nārada Thera)
Mahabharata (English) (by Kisari Mohan Ganguli)
Section XXX < [Digvijaya Parva]
The Buddha and His Disciples (by Venerable S. Dhammika)