Puthujjana: 6 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
Languages
1. Pali
See also

Introduction:

Puthujjana 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: Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsOne of the many folk; a "worlding" or run of the mill person. An ordinary person who has not yet realized any of the four stages of Awakening (see magga).Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A king of old, who, though he gave great gifts, could not attain to beyond the realms of sense. J.vi.99.

Source: Dhamma Dana: Pali English Glossary

Ordinary being (the opposite of an "ariya"). A puthujjana is a being who hasnt experienced nibbana yet, who is still under the power of false views.

Source: Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and Doctrines

lit.: 'one of the many folk', 'worldling', ordinary man, is any layman or monk who is still possessed of all the 10 fetters (samyojana, q.v.) binding to the round of rebirths, and therefore has not yet reached any of the 4 stages of holiness (s. ariya-puggala).

"Whoso is neither freed from the 3 fetters (personality-belief, sceptical doubt, attachment to mere rule and ritual), nor is on the way to lose these 3 things, such a one is called a worlding" (Pug. 9).

According to Com. to M.9, a 'worlding' may be

(1) an outsider (a non-Buddhist) who, if he believed in moral causation, may be said to have right view to that extent; but he has not the 'knowledge conforming to the Truths' (saccānulomika-ñāna), as has
(2) the 'worldling inside the Buddha's Dispensation' (sāsanika).

A worlding who professes Buddhism, may be either

a 'blind worldling' (andha-p.) who has neither knowledge of, nor interest in the fundamental teaching (the Truths, groups, etc.);
or he is a 'noble worldling' (kalyāna-p.), who has such knowledge and earnestly strives to understand and practise the Teaching. -

See Atthasālini Tr. II, 451 (tr. by 'average man'); Com. to M.1, D.1.

context information

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 Dictionary

puthujjana : (m.) a common world-ling; uneducated person.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Puthujjana, (*prthag-jana, thus puthu 1+jana, but from the point of Pali identical in form and meaning with puthu 2, as shown by use of puthu in similar cpds. and by C. explns. One may even say that puthu 1=pṛthak is not felt at all in the P. word. Trenckner (Notes 76) already hinted at this by saying “puthujjana, partly confounded with puthu”; a connection which also underlies its expln as “one-of-the-many-folk” at Kvu trsln 807 & 2913. It is felt to belong to puthu 2 in the same sense as Ger. “die breite Masse, ” or Gr. oi( polloi/. The expln at Nd1 308=328 is puthu-nānā-janā. A long and detailed etym. -speculation expln of the term is found at DA. I, 59, trsld at Dhs. trsln 258. The BSk. form is pṛthagjana Divy 133 etc.) an ordinary, average person (4 classes of ordinary people are discussed at Cpd. 49, 50), a common worldling, a man of the people, an ordinary man M. I, 1, 7, 135, 239, 323; III, 64, 227; S. I, 148; II, 94 sq. (assutạvā), 151 (id.); III, 46, 108, 162; IV, 157, 196, 201 (assutavā), 206 sq.; V, 362 (opp. to sotāpanna); A. I, 27, 147 (maraṇa-dhammin), 178, 267; II, 129, 163; III, 54; IV, 68, 97, 157, 372; Sn. 351, 455, 706, 816, 859; Dh. 59, 272; Vv 826 (=anariya VvA. 321, +anavabodha); Nd1 146, 248; Ps. I, 61 sq. , 143, 156; II, 27; Dhs. 1003 (cp. DhsA. 248 sq.); Vism. 311 (=anariya); VbhA. 133 (avijj’âbhikhūta, bhava-taṇh’âbhibhūta), 186 (ummat‹-› taka, opposed to upabrūhita-ñāṇa-purisa, exemplifying upādāna and kamma); DhA. I, 5 (opp. ariyasāvaka), 445; Sdhp. 363.—kalyāṇaka (cp. BSk. pṛthagjana-kalyāṇaka Divy 419, 429) an ordinary man striving after his spiritual good Nd1 477; Ps. I, 176; II, 190, 193.—bhikkhu a bh. of the common sort DA. I, 269; VbhA. 383.—sukha ordinary happiness M. I, 454. (Page 466)

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.

Relevant text

Search found 27 books and stories containing Puthujjana, Puthujjanas; (plurals include: Puthujjanas, Puthujjanases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Two Bhumi Or Stages

Preface

The Two Abhinivesa

+ 3 more chapters / show preview

Part 6 - What Is Nibbána? < [Chapter 11 - Planes Of Existence]

Part 5 - The Pleasure Of Brahmas < [Chapter 11 - Planes Of Existence]

Domain 2 - Síla (morality) < [Chapter 6 - Ten domains of meritorious actions (ten punna kiriyavatthu)]

show preview

Part 2 - Bhumi Doctrine and the Theravada Scheme Leading to Nibbana < [Chapter 1 - Introduction]

Part 2.1 - Dhyana Paramita (the perfection of One-pointedness) < [Chapter 3 - Study: Paramitas or Perfections]

Part 1 - The First Stage named Pramudita [Introductory Stanza] < [Chapter 4 - Annotated Translation of the Dasabhumika-Sutra]

show preview