Uddaka Ramaputta: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Uddaka Ramaputta 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»] — Uddaka Ramaputta in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

One of the teachers under whom Gotama, after leaving the world and before he became the Buddha, received instruction (J.i.66, 81). Uddaka taught him the doctrine which had been realised and proclaimed by his father Rama, which was the attainment of the state of neither consciousness nor unconsciousness (corresponding to the fourth Jhana). When Gotama had mastered this, Uddaka made him more than his own equal by setting him over the whole company of his disciples as their teacher. But Gotama, finding this doctrine unsatisfactory, abandoned it (M.i.165ff., 240ff.; DhA.i.70-1).

The Buddha evidently had a high regard for Uddaka Ramaputta, for after the Enlightenment, when looking for someone to whom the Dhamma might be preached, and who was capable of realising its import at once, his thoughts turned to Uddaka, but Uddaka was already dead (Vin.i.7).

In the Vassakara Sutta of the Anguttara Nikaya (ii.180) it is mentioned that King Eleyya, together with his bodyguard, Yamaka, Moggalla and others, were followers of Ramaputta and that they held him in great esteem.

In the Samyutta Nikaya (iv.83f) the Buddha says that Uddaka claimed to be versed in lore and to have conquered everything, digging out the root of Ill, though he had no justification for such a claim.

Again, in the Pasadika Sutta (D.iii.126-7), the Buddha tells Cunda that when Uddaka said seeing, he seeth not, he had in mind a man who saw the blade of a sharpened razor but not its edge - a low, pagan thing to speak about.

In the Sanskrit books Uddaka Ramaputta is called Udraka. Mtu.ii.119-20; Dvy.392; Lal.306f.

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).

Discover the meaning of uddaka ramaputta in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Uddaka Ramaputta in Buddhism glossary
Source: Buddhist Door: GlossaryUddaka ramaputta in Pali, Udraka Ramaputra in Sanskrit. A sage under whom Shakyamuni studied meditation. The state reached by Uddaka Ramaputta was that at which neither thought nor non thought exists.

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