Upasaka, aka: Upāsaka; 9 Definition(s)
Introduction
Upasaka 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 Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
A male/female lay follower of the Buddha. Compare parisa.(Source): Access to Insight: A Glossary of Pali and Buddhist TermsM Person who supports and respects the "triple gem": Buddha, dhamma and sangha.
(Source): Dhamma Dana: Pali English Glossarylit. 'sitting close by', i.e. a 'lay adherent', is any lay follower who is filled with faith and has taken refuge in the Buddha, his doctrine and his community of noble disciples (A.VIII.25).
His virtue is regarded as pure if he observes the 5 Precepts (pañca-sīla; s. sikkhāpada).
He should avoid the following wrong ways of livelihood:
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trading in arms,
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trading in living beings,
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trading in meat,
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trading in alcohol
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trading in poison (A.V.177).
See also A.VIII.75.
-- or --
'female adherent'; s. upāsaka.
(Source): Pali Kanon: Manual of Buddhist Terms and DoctrinesTheravāda 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).
General definition (in Buddhism)
Upasaka was a man who has gone to the Three Refuges is called in Pali an upasaka, and a woman an upasika. Being an upasaka or upasika amounts to doing a good deed that will send you to the deva worlds.
(Source): Wisdom Library: BuddhismLanguages of India and abroad
Pali-English dictionary
upāsaka : (m.) a lay devotee; one who comes near.
(Source): BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English DictionaryUpāsaka, (fr. upa + ās, cp. upāsati) a devout or faithful layman, a lay devotee Vin. I, 4, 16 (tevāciko u.), 37, 139, 195 sq.; II, 125; III, 6, 92; IV, 14, 109; D. I, 85; II, 105, 113; III, 134, 148, 153, 168, 172 sq. , 264; M. I, 29, 467, 490; S. V, 395, 410; A. I, 56 sq.; II, 132 (°parisā); III 206 (°caṇḍāla, °ratana); IV, 220 sq. (kittāvatā hoti); Sn. 376, 384; J. I, 83; Pv I 104; Vbh. 248 (°sikkhā); DA. I, 234; PvA. 36, 38, 54, 61, 207.—f. upāsikā Vin. I, 18, 141, 216; III, 39; IV, 21, 79; D. III, 124, 148, 172, 264; M. I, 29, 467, 491; S. II, 235 sq.; A. I, 88; II, 132; V, 287 sq.; Miln. 383; PvA. 151, 160. (Page 150)
(Source): Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary
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
upāsaka (उपासक).—a (S) That serves, honors, worships.
(Source): DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionaryupāsaka (उपासक).—a That serves, honours, worships.
(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.
Sanskrit-English dictionary
Upāsaka (उपासक).—
1) One who waits upon, a worshipper.
2) A servant, follower.
3) A Śūdra, a low fellow.
4) A worshipper of Buddha as distinguished from the Bhikṣu.
Derivable forms: upāsakaḥ (उपासकः).
(Source): DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionarySanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family. Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
Relevant definitions
Search found 55 related definition(s) that might help you understand this better. Below you will find the 15 most relevant articles:
| Upasaka Vagga | Upāsaka, (fr. upa + ās, cp. upāsati) a devout or faithful layman, a lay devotee Vin. I, 4, 16 (... | |
| Maha-upasaka | mahā-upāsaka : (m.) a great follower of the Buddha. | |
| Upasakadasha | Upāsakadaśā (उपासकदशा).—Name of one of the Aṅgas or chief Jaina sacred writings.Derivable forms... | |
| Pancashila | Pañcaśīla (पञ्चशील) refers to “five rules” within Buddhism ethical conduct.—These moral instruc... | |
| Yama | Yama (यम, “self-restraint”) forms part of the ancient Indian education system, which aimed at b... | |
| Vrata | Vrata (व्रत) refers to certain “religious practices” once prevalent in ancient Kashmir (Kaśmīra... | |
| Samgha | Saṃgha (संघ) refers to an “assembly” according to the Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter VI. Acco... | |
| Candana | Candana (चन्दन) refers to “sandalwood” and forms part of the cosmetics and personal decoration ... | |
| Aticara | Aticāra (अतिचार, “transgression”) refers to one of the four “subsidiary dispositions which caus... | |
| Satyavrata | Satyavrata (सत्यव्रत) was a Niṣāda king from the island of Utsthala according to the “story of ... | |
| Shalya | Śalya (शल्य) is a name mentioned in the Mahābhārata (cf. I.61.6) and represents one of the man... | |
| Nandika | Nandika (नन्दिक) is the name of an Upāsaka (lay follower of the Buddha) according to the Mahāpr... | |
| Bhoga | Bhoga (भोग, “enjoyment”) or Bhogāntarāya refers to “gain obstructing karmas” and represents one... | |
| Yasa | Yāsa (यास).—1) Effort, endeavour.2) Alhagi Maurorum (Mar. dhamāsā).Derivable forms: yāsaḥ (यासः... | |
| Parisa | parīsa (परीस).—m A stone of which the touch turns iron into gold, the philosopher's
stone. Fig.... |
Relevant text
Search found 31 books and stories containing Upasaka or Upāsaka. 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)
Part 2.2 - The taking of vows of the upāsaka < [Section II.1 - Morality of the lay person or avadātavasana]
Part 1.2 - Five kinds of upāsaka < [Section II.1 - Morality of the lay person or avadātavasana]
Second part: the morality of pledge (samādānaśila) < [Chapter XXII - The Nature of Morality]
Patipada (by Acariya Maha Boowa Ñanasampanno)
Chapter III - The Story Of The White-robed Upasaka
Chapter XIX - The Story Of Venerable Acharn Brom
Lesson VI - Contemplation of Brahman < [Book I - Shiksha Valli]
Lesson IX - Upāsaka’s Duties < [Book I - Shiksha Valli]
Lesson VIII - Contemplation of Praṇava < [Book I - Shiksha Valli]
The Vimalakirti Nirdesa Sutra (by Vimalakirti)
Sūtra of the Great Vow of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva
A Blessed Pilgrimage (by Dr. Yutang Lin)