Sundarika Bharadvaja, Sundarika-bhāradvāja: 1 definition

Introduction:

Sundarika Bharadvaja 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)

[«previous next»] — Sundarika Bharadvaja in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A brahmin, one of the Bharadvajas.

Once, when he was performing Fire rites on the banks of the Sundarika, he looked round to see if there were anyone, to whom he could give what was left over from the oblations. He saw the Buddha seated under a tree, his head covered; (to rouse the brahmins curiosity and to prevent him from being repelled by the sight of a shaven head, says the Commentary) he approached him with the oblation and a water pitcher and addressed him. The Buddha uncovered his head. The sight of the shaven head at first made Sundarika draw back, but, realizing that some brahmins too were shaved, he questioned the Buddha about his birth. The Buddha explained to him that the important thing was not birth, but the leading of a good life. The brahmin was pleased and offered him the oblation, but the Buddha refused it, saying that he did not accept presents for chanting verses. He advised Sundarika to throw the food into the water, where there were no creatures, for who could digest food which had once been offered to a Buddha? The brahmin followed this advice and saw the water hiss and seethe with steam and smoke. Alarmed and with hair on end, he worshipped the Buddha, who preached to him. Sundarika entered the Order and became an arahant. S.i.167f. The account of the meeting between the Buddha and Sundarika is given in the Sutta Nipata too (p.79 f.), but there the details differ greatly, though the topic of discussion is the same. Several additional verses are attributed to the Buddha regarding the true sacrifice. The Commentary calls the SN. discourse the Puralasa Sutta (SNA.ii.400).

Sundarika Bharadvaja was so called from his habit of offering oblations on the banks of the Sundarika (SA.i.181f). He is also mentioned (M.i.39f) as meeting the Buddha on the banks of the Bahuka and asking him whether he bathed in that river, because it had the reputation of cleansing sins. The Buddha answered that purity was not to be won that way and preached to him the Vatthupama Sutta.

According to the Dhammapada Commentary (DhA.iv.163), Sundarika was the brother of Akkosaka and Bilangika Bharadvaja. There he is mentioned as having abused the Buddha in much the same way as Akkosaka.

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).

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