Shravaka, aka: Śrāvaka; 8 Definition(s)
Introduction
Shravaka means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit, 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.
The Sanskrit term Śrāvaka can be transliterated into English as Sravaka or Shravaka, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Śrāvaka (श्रावक).—In the śrāvaka system, the Buddha, by the power of his skillful means (upāya), pretends to assume human qualities: he undergoes birth (jāti), old age (jarā), sickness (vyādhi), cold and heat (śītoṣṇa), hunger and thirst (kṣutpipāsā), etc. As no human is born without passions, the Buddha must likewise conform to human qualities and [seem] to have passions. Under the king of trees, first outwardly, he crushed Māra’s armies (mārasenā); then inwardly, he destroyed his enemies that are the fetters (saṃyojana). Having destroyed his external and internal enemies, he realized supreme complete enlightenment (anuttarā samyaksaṃbodhi).
(Source): Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraŚrāvakas have compassion but are not endowed with bodhicitta, neither relative nor absolute bodhicitta.
(Source): Kunpal: Shantideva's Bodhisattva-charyavatara
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)
The first or initial stage in Hinayana, the second being that of Praetyka Buddha. Sravaka, a Sanskrit word, means a hearer. It generally relates to Hinayana disciple who understands the Four Noble Truth in entering Nirvana.(Source): Buddhist Door: GlossaryIn Jainism
General definition (in Jainism)
Śrāvaka (श्रावक, “layman”).—The śrāvaka is one who listens (śṛṇoti), or one who has recourse to faith (śraddhālutāṃ śrāti), or one whose sins flow away from him (śravanti yasya pāpāni). With the nāma, sthāpanā, dravya, bhāva category we find:
- nāma-śrāvaka,
- sthāpanā-śrāvaka,
- dravya-śrāvaka,
- bhāva-śrāvaka.
Amongst the Digambaras Cāmuṇḍarāya has taken over the Hindu concept of the four āśramas, which, following Jinasena, he terms brahmacārin, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, and bhikṣu.
Some Digambaras, Āśādhara, and Medhāvin, for example, have a threefold division of the śrāvaka and on this their expositions of the doctrine are based:
- pākṣika,
- naiṣṭhika,
- sādhaka.
Āśādhara, who repeats Cāmuṇḍarāya’s categories of brahmacārins and the list of the four āśramas, also gives a classification of the śrāvaka based on his progress through the pratimās:
- jaghanya (least satisfactory),
- madhyama (next best),
- uttama or utkṛṣṭa (best).
Śrāvaka (श्रावक) refers to a “householder votary” according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 7.21.—What are twelve vows of a householder votary (śrāvaka)? These are five minor vows (aṇuvrata), three enhancing vows (guṇavrata) and four teaching vows (śikṣāvrata).
(Source): Encyclopedia of Jainism: Tattvartha Sutra 7: The Five Vows
Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.
Languages of India and abroad
Marathi-English dictionary
śrāvaka (श्रावक).—m (S) A pupil or follower of a Jina; one of a sect or distinction amongst the Jyn-people.
(Source): DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionarysrāvaka (स्रावक).—a That causes to ooze.
(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 84 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Nama-shravaka | Nāmaśrāvaka (नामश्रावक) refers to one of the four categories of a śrāvaka (layman), according t... | |
| Sthapana-shravaka | Sthāpanāśrāvaka (स्थापनाश्रावक) refers to one of the four categories of a śrāvaka (layman), acc... | |
| Dravya-shravaka | Dravyaśrāvaka (द्रव्यश्रावक) refers to one of the four categories of a śrāvaka (layman), accord... | |
| Bhava-shravaka | Bhāvaśrāvaka (भावश्रावक) refers to one of the four categories of a śrāvaka (layman), according ... | |
| Shravakayana | Śrāvakayāna (श्रावकयान) refers to the “vehicle of the Śrāvakas” or “vehicle of the hearers” and... | |
| Darshana | Darśana (दर्शन) refers to one of the eleven pratimās (eleven stages for becoming excellent śrāv... | |
| Dharma | Dharma (धर्म) refers to one of the various Vibhava manifestations according to the Īśvarasaṃhit... | |
| Pratima | Pratimā (प्रतिमा, “stage”).—The eleven pratimās form part of the rules of conduct for laymen.—T... | |
| Aticara | Aticāra (अतिचार, “transgression”) refers to one of the four “subsidiary dispositions which caus... | |
| Sadhaka | Sādhaka (साधक) is a practitioner in the siddha tradition. ‘Siddha’ indicates a person who has a... | |
| Niyama | Niyama (नियम) is one of the yogāṅgas and is of five kinds. Niyama is restraining and regulating... | |
| Uttama | Uttama (उत्तम).—A King born in the dynasty of Svāyambhuva Manu who had two famous sons, of whom... | |
| Madhyama | Madhyama (मध्यम) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. XIV.8.19, XIV.8) and represents o... | |
| Pancama | Pañcama (पञ्चम) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.48.7, I.53) and represents one o... | |
| Abhidhamma | Abhidhamma (अभिधम्म) refers to a set of teachings according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (ch... |
Relevant text
Search found 25 books and stories containing Shravaka or Śrāvaka. You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Great Chariot (by Longchenpa)
Part 4 - How we can attain superhuman goodness < [C. The nature of the environment and inhabitants of the phenomenal world]
2f) How, by the power of mind, accumulations are gathered < [Part 2 - The essence]
Part 7 - The explanation of the twenty downfalls, together with the associated qualities < [B. the extensive explanation of arousing bodhicitta]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
I. Attributes of the śrāvaka and attributes of the Buddha < [Part 1 - General questions]
IX. The knowledge of death and rebirth (cyutyupapāda-jñānabala) < [Part 2 - The ten powers in particular]
I. Surpassing the stage of Śrāvaka and Pratyekabuddha < [X. Surpassing the lower vehicles and acceding to the irreversible ground]
The Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra (by Vimalakirti)
Chapter 7 - Looking At Living Beings
Chapter 5 - Manjusri’S Call On Vimalakirti
The Mahayana Mahaparinirvana Sutra
Chapter VIII - On the Four Dependables < [Section One]
Chapter XXI - On Pure Actions (a) < [Section Three]
Chapter XXXI - On Bodhisattva Highly-virtuous King (e) < [Section Six]
The Vimalakīrti Sutra (by Vimalakirti)
Chapter VII - Viewing Sentient Beings < [Fascicle Two]
Chapter X - The Buddha Accumulation Of Fragrances < [Fascicle Three]
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