Pukkusa; 3 Definition(s)

Introduction

Pukkusa 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)

1. Pukkusa

A counsellor of Maddava, king of Benares. For details see the Dasannaka Jataka. Pukkusa is identified with Sariputta. J.iii.341.

One of the four ministers of Vedeha, king of Mithila. He joined with his three companions in a conspiracy against Mahosadha, stealing a golden necklace from the kings palace in order to try and implicate Mahosadha. The details are given in the Mahaummagga Jataka (J.vi.330ff). On Pukkusas thigh was a leprous spot, which he hid from the king because the king loved to lay his head on Pukkusas lap. Only his younger brother knew of this secret; but it was discovered later by Mahosadha, and Pukkusa was sent to prison. Pukkusa is identified with Potthapada. Ibid., 478.

A Mallarajaputta. He was a disciple of Alara Kalama, and one day, while on his way from Kusinara to Pava, he saw the Buddha seated under a tree by the roadside and stayed to talk to him. He mentioned that once five hundred carts had passed by where Alara sat, and yet so deep was he in meditation that he had failed to notice them. The Buddha told him how, when he himself was in Atuma in the Bhusagara, there was a great thunderstorm which killed two peasants and four oxen, but that he had heard and seen nothing, so deep was his concentration. Pukkusa was greatly impressed by this statement, and, having declared himself a follower of the Buddha, he gave to the Buddha two robes of cloth of gold, one of which, at the Buddhas suggestion, he handed to Ananda. When Pukkusa had left, Ananda draped one robe over the Buddha, and was greatly astonished at its pale appearance in comparison with the deep gold of the Buddhas body (D.ii.130ff).

Buddhaghosa says (DA.ii.569) that Pukkusa was a merchant, and was the owner of the five hundred carts which had crossed the Kakkuttha (q.v.) shortly before the incident above mentioned.

The name of a caste, classified among the despised castes (E.g., A.ii.85; M.ii.152). The Commentary explains (E.g., AA.ii.523) them as those who sweep up flowers which are offered at shrines and are not removed by the devotees who have given them. The word Pukkusa was evidently not despised as a personal name because, in the case of Pukkusa (3), for instance, the person bearing the name was a khattiya.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

pukkusa : (m.) one who remove refuse.

Pukkusa, (non-Aryan; cp. Epic Sk. pukkuśa, pukkaśa pulkasa. The “Paulkāsa” are mentioned as a mixed caste at Vājasaneya Saṃhitā 30, 17 (cp. Zimmer, Altind. Leben 217)) N. of a (Non-Aryan) tribe, hence designation of a low social class, the members of which are said (in the Jātakas) to earn their living by means of refuseclearing. On the subject see Fick, Sociale Gliederung 206, 207.—Found in foll. enumerations: khattiyā brāhmaṇā vessā suddā caṇḍāla-pukkusā A. I, 162= III, 214; J. III, 194 (expld by C. chava-chaḍḍaka-caṇḍālā ca puppha-chaḍḍaka-pukkusā ca); IV, 303; Pv. II, 612; Miln. 5. Further as pukkusakula as the last one of the despised clans (caṇḍālakula, nesāda°, veṇa°, rathakāra°, p. °) at M. III, 169; S. I, 94; A. II, 85; Vin. IV, 6; Pug. 51. With nesāda at PvA. 176.—Cp. M. III, 169. (Page 462)

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.

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