Uppalavanna, Uppalavaṇṇā: 1 definition
Introduction:
Uppalavanna 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)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesThe god to whom Sakka entrusted the guardianship of Lanka and its people. He met Vijaya and his followers when they landed in Ceylon and sprinkled water on them and wound a sacred thread about their hands for protection (Mhv.vii.5). The god is generally identified with Visnu, though there is evidence to show that, at least in later mythology, the two gods were distinct. Somewhere about A.D. 790, a shrine was erected to Uppalavanna in Devanagara (modern Dondra) in South Ceylon. This shrine was later plundered by the Portuguese. King Virabahu offered there a sacrifice of victory (Cv.lxxxiii.49; see also Cv.Trs.ii.152, n.3) and Parakkamabahu II. rebuilt the shrine.
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1. Uppalavanna Theri - One of the two chief women disciples of the Buddha. She was born in Savatthi as the daughter of a banker, and she received the name of Uppalavanna because her skin was the colour of the heart of the blue lotus. When she was come of age, kings and commoners from the whole of India sent messengers to her father, asking for her hand. He, not wishing to offend any of them, suggested that Uppalavanna should leave the world. Because of her upanissaya, she very willingly agreed and was ordained a nun. Soon it came to her turn to perform certain services in the uposatha hall. Lighting the lamp, she swept the room. Taking the flame of the lamp as her visible object, she developed tejokasina and, attaining to jhana, became an arahant possessed of the four special attainments (patisambhida). She became particularly versed in the mystic potency of transformation (iddhivikubbana). When the Buddha arrived at the Gandamba tree to perform the Twin Miracle, Uppalavanna offered to perform certain miracles herself, if the Buddha would give his consent, but this he refused (ThigA.190, 195). Later, at Jetavana, in the assembly of the Sangha, he declared her to be the chief of the women possessed of iddhi power (A.i.25). The Therigatha (vv.234-5) contains several verses attributed to her.
Three of them had been uttered in anguish by a mother who had been unwittingly living as her daughters rival with the man who later became the monk Gangatiriya (q.v.). Uppalavanna repeated them to help her to reflect on the harm and vileness of sensual desires. Two others are utterances of joy on the distinctions she had won and another records a miracle she performed before the Buddha, with his consent. The rest contain a conversation between Uppalavanna and Mara (a conversation, more or less identical with the foregoing, is recorded in S.i.131f), wherein she tells him that she has passed completely beyond his power.
The books give several episodes
connected with Uppalavanna. Once a young man named Ananda, who was her cousin
and had been in love with her during her lay life, hid himself in her hut in
Andhavana and, in spite of her protestations, deprived her of her chastity. 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).
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Uppalavanna Sutta.
Full-text (+21): Hiridevi, Samanagutta, Kundalini, Ekadhitu Sutta, Uppalavanna Sutta, Utpalavarna, Accimukhi, Kharadiya Jataka, Padumavati, Bheri, Siri, Kinchanda Jataka, Jagara Jataka, Kumbhakara Jataka, Vimala Theri, Devanagara, Bhisapuppha Jataka, Kanhajina, Kassapagiri, Andhavana.
Relevant text
Search found 14 books and stories containing Uppalavanna, Uppalavaṇṇā; (plurals include: Uppalavannas, Uppalavaṇṇās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Vinaya Pitaka (1): Bhikkhu-vibhanga (the analysis of Monks’ rules) (by I. B. Horner)
Monks’ Expulsion (Pārājika) 1: Case rulings < [Monks’ Expulsion (Pārājika) 1]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 401 - The Story of Nun Uppalavaṇṇā < [Chapter 26 - Brāhmaṇa Vagga (The Brāhmaṇa)]
Verse 69 - The Story of Nun Uppalavaṇṇā < [Chapter 5 - Bāla Vagga (Fools)]
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Biography (3) Uppalavaṇṇā Therī < [Chapter 44 - Life Histories of Bhikkhunī Arahats]
Biography (38): Mahā Kappina Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
Biography (20-21): Rāhula and Raṭṭhapāla Mahātheras < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 88: Sārambha-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]
Jataka 392: Bhisapuppha-jātaka < [Volume 3]
Jataka 414: Jāgara-jātaka < [Volume 3]
Vinaya (3): The Cullavagga (by T. W. Rhys Davids)
Cullavagga, Khandaka 10, Chapter 8 < [Khandaka 10 - On the Duties of Bhikkhunis]