Samata, aka: Samatā; 9 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

Natyashastra (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).

context information

Natyashastra (नाट्यशास्त्र, nāṭyaśāstra) refers to both the ancient Indian tradition (śāstra) of performing arts, (nāṭya, 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 (nataka) and poetic works (kavya).

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

See Samanga 1 above.

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 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter X. There are two kinds of equalities (samatā):

1. equality toward beings (sattvasamatā),
2. equality toward dharmas (dharmasamatā).

context information

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

samatā : (f.) equality; evenness; normal state.

Samatā, (fr. sama³) equality, evenness, normal state Vin. I, 183; A. III, 375 sq.; Miln. 351. (Page 682)

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.

Marathi-English dictionary

sāmatā (सामता).—m A carpenter's tool, a sort of drill or augre.

sāmatā (सामता).—m A sort of augre or carpenter's tool.

Sanskrit-English dictionary

Samatā (समता).—

1) Sameness, identity; समेत्य ते मन्त्रयितुं समतागतबुद्धयः (sametya te mantrayituṃ samatāgatabuddhayaḥ) Rām.2.2.2.

2) Likeness, similarity.

3) Equality; स्वजातेः समतां गतम् (svajāteḥ samatāṃ gatam) Pt.2.87.

4) Impartiality, fairness. समतां नी (samatāṃ nī) 'to treat as equal'; पश्चाद्दृश्येत यत्किंचित्तत्सर्वं समतां नयेत् (paścāddṛśyeta yatkiṃcittatsarvaṃ samatāṃ nayet) Ms.9.218.

5) Equanimity.

6) Perfectness.

7) Commonness.

8) Evenness.

See also (synonyms): samatva.

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