In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Suvarṇapati (सुवर्णपति) is the name of an ancient king according to appendix 1 of the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XVI). Accordingly, “One day, the master [Sañjaya] laughed softly. Upatiṣya said to him: ‘Great men cannot laugh without reason; but our teacher has just laughed; what is the reason?’ The master replied: ‘It is just as you said: I need to laugh. In Kin tcheou (Suvarṇadvīpa), there was a king called Kin tchou (Suvarṇapati); he died and was going to be cremated; his grieving widow threw herself into the fire. People are fools (mūḍha) and let themselves be led by desire (kāma). This sickness of desire (rāgavyādhi) causes them to suffer’. Upatiṣya asked him in what year, what month and what day this event had taken place. Sañjaya specified the year, the month, the day and the hour. The two friends took note of this revelation.”.

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.

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Search found 1 books and stories containing Suvarnapati, Suvarṇapati; (plurals include: Suvarnapatis, Suvarṇapatis). 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)

Appendix 1 - The legend of Śāriputra and his teacher Sañjaya < [Chapter XVI - The Story of Śāriputra]

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