Samata, aka: Samatā; 8 Definition(s)
Introduction
Samata means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Marathi. 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 Hinduism
Nāṭyaśāstra (theatrics and dramaturgy)
Samatā (समता, “smoothness”) refers to one of the ten merits (guṇa) of a dramatic play (kāvya), according to Nāṭyaśāstra chapter 17. They are characterised by their sweetness and depth of meaning. (Description): When alaṃkāras and guṇas match and illuminate one another it is called an instance of smoothness (samatā).
(Source): Wisdom Library: Nāṭya-śāstra
Nāṭyaśāstra (नाट्यशास्त्र, natya-shastra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition of performing arts, (e.g., theatrics, drama, dance, music), as well as the name of a Sanskrit work dealing with these subjects. It also teaches the rules for composing dramatic plays (nāṭya) and poetic works (kāvya).
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
See Samanga 1 above.
(Source): Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesTheravāda 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).
Pali
samatā : (f.) equality; evenness; normal state.
(Source): BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English DictionarySamatā, (fr. sama3) equality, evenness, normal state Vin. I, 183; A. III, 375 sq.; Miln. 351. (Page 682)
(Source): Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
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.
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Samatā (समता, “equality”) refers to a set of “two equalities”, representing qualities acquired by the Bodhisattvas accompanying the Buddha at Rājagṛha on the Gṛdhrakūṭaparvata, according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter X. There are two kinds of equalities (samatā):
- equality toward beings (sattvasamatā),
- equality toward dharmas (dharmasamatā).
Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.
General definition (in Buddhism)
Samatā (समता) or Samatājñāna refers to “knowledge of equality” and represents one of the “five knowledges” (jñāna) as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 94). The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (eg., samatā). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
(Source): Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaLanguages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
sāmatā (सामता).—m A carpenter's tool, a sort of drill or augre.
(Source): DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarysāmatā (सामता).—m A sort of augre or carpenter's tool.
(Source): DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-EnglishMarathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.
Relevant definitions
Search found 24 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Samatajnana | Samatājñāna (समताज्ञान) or simply Samatā refers to the “knowledge of equalit” and represents th... | |
| Samatakshanti | Samatākṣānti (समताक्षान्ति) refers to the “patience of equanimity” according to the Mahāprajñāp... | |
| Sattvasamata | Sattvasamatā (सत्त्वसमता) refers to “equality toward beings” and represents a type of samatā (e... | |
| Dharmasamata | Dharmasamatā (धर्मसमता) refers to “equality toward dharmas” and represents a type of samatā (eq... | |
| Guna | Guṇa (गुण, “attribute”) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 5.33.—What is meant by guṇ... | |
| Bhava | Bhava (भव) is the name of a ancient authority on the science of Sanskrit metrics (chandaśāstra)... | |
| Indriya | Indriya (इन्द्रिय, “sense organs”).—What is meant by the sense organs (indriya)? An instrument ... | |
| Jnana | Jñāna (ज्ञान).—[jñā-bhāve lyuṭ]1) Knowing, understanding, becoming acquainted with, proficiency... | |
| Ahimsa | Ahiṃsā (अहिंसा).—1) Harmlessness, abstaining from killing or giving pain to others in thought, ... | |
| Shari | Śāri (शारि) is the daughter of Māṭhara: a Brāhmin from Rājagṛha according to the Mahāprajñāpāra... | |
| Indriya Jataka | Indriya, (nt.) (Vedic indriya adj. only in meaning “belonging to Indra”; nt. strength, might (... | |
| Indriya Sutta | Indriya, (nt.) (Vedic indriya adj. only in meaning “belonging to Indra”; nt. strength, might (... | |
| Samacitta | Samacitta (समचित्त) refers to a “mind of equanimity” or an “evenness of mind” according to the ... | |
| Samadhiraja Sutra |
The Samādhirāja Sūtra is a Buddhist sutra dating to c. 2nd century CE. The Samādhirāja Sūtra... | |
| Parivraj | Parivraj (परिव्रज्).—1 P.1) To wander about as a religious mendicant.2) Turn out a recluse; त्य... |
Relevant text
Search found 10 books and stories containing Samata or Samatā. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Bodhisattva quality 3: the equalities (samatā) and the patiences (kṣānti) < [Chapter X - The Qualities of the Bodhisattvas]
Note (2): The Mahāyānist dharmatā < [Part 2 - Understanding dharmatā and its synonyms]
The Viśeṣacinti-brahma-paripṛcchā-sūtra < [Part 3 - Outshining the knowledge of all the Śrāvakas and Pratyekabuddhas]
Yoga Vasistha [English], Volume 1-4 (by Vihari-Lala Mitra)
Chapter CLXX - On the conduct of the sapient man < [Book VII - Nirvana prakarana part 2 (nirvana prakarana)]
Chapter CXCVII - Excellence of universal toleration < [Book VII - Nirvana prakarana part 2 (nirvana prakarana)]
Chapter XXXIX - The same quietness or quietude of the spirit < [Book IV - Sthiti prakarana (sthiti prakarana)]
Manusmriti with the Commentary of Medhatithi (by Ganganatha Jha)
Verse 6.44 < [Section VI - Procedure of going forth as a Wandering Mendicant]
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 1 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 11 - Mahāyānism < [Chapter V - Buddhist Philosophy]
The Natyashastra (by Bharata-muni)
Preceptors of Advaita (by T. M. P. Mahadevan)
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