Vajjiputta: 1 definition
Introduction:
Vajjiputta 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 Names1. Vajjiputta Thera. He belonged to the family of a minister of Vesali, and, seeing the majesty of the Buddha who visited the city, he joined the Order and lived in a wood near by. A festival took place in Vesali, with much singing and dancing and gaiety. This distracted Vajjiputta, and he expressed his disgust in a verse spoken in scorn of the forest life. A woodland sprite heard him and upbraided him, saying, Though you spurn life in the forest, the wise, desiring solitude, think much of it, and she then uttered a verse praising it. This verse, which the monk afterwards repeated, is included in Thag.vs.62.
Urged on by the sprites words, Vajjiputta developed insight and became an arahant.
Ninety one kappas ago he had been a householder and had paid homage to Vipassi Buddha, with pollen from naga flowers. Forty five kappas ago he was a king, named Renu. ThagA.i.142f. Vajjiputtas story is given very briefly in S.i.201f.
Vajjiputtas story is also given in the Dhammapada Commentary. There he is called a raja, and is said to have renounced his kingdom when his turn came to rule. On the day of the festival, on the full moon day of Kattika, he was filled with discontent. After his conversation with the woodland sprite, he sought the Buddha, who preached to him. He attained arahantship at the end of the Buddhas sermon. DhA.iii.460f.; see also SA.i.228, where also he is called raja. There may be some confusion between Vajjiputta (1) and (2).
He is evidently to be identified with Renupujaka of the Apadana. Ap.i.146.
2. Vajjiputta Thera. He belonged to a Licchavi rajas family, and while still young, and learning various arts, such as training elephants, he was filled with the desire for renunciation. One day he went to a vihara where the Buddha was preaching, entered the Order, and not long after became an arahant.
After the Buddhas death, when the chief Elders were living in various places prior to their agreed meeting for the recital of the Dhamma, he saw Ananda, still a learner (sekha), teaching the Doctrine to a large assembly. Wishing to urge him to higher attainment, Vajjiputta uttered a verse, and this verse was among those which led to Anandas attainment of arahantship. The verse is found in Thag.vs.119. In S.i.199 the verse is attributed to a forest deva who wished to agitate Ananda. In Rockhill (op. cit., 155f.), Vajjiputta was Anandas attendant at the time and preached to the people while Ananda meditated.
Ninety four kappas ago, Vajjiputta had seen a Pacceka Buddha begging for alms and had given him plantain fruits. ThagA.i.236f.
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: Vajjiputta Sutta, Vajjiputtaka, Vajjiputtaka Sutta.
Full-text: Vinayasangiti, Mahasangitika, Renupujaka, Valikarama, Vrijiputra, Mahasamghika, Vajjiputta Sutta, Paveyyaka, Renu, Sabbakama, Apadana, Sankassa, Ananda Sutta.
Relevant text
Search found 2 books and stories containing Vajjiputta; (plurals include: Vajjiputtas). 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 7 - Why Ānanda is not an arhat < [Chapter VI - The Great Bhikṣu Saṃgha]
The Buddhist Teaching on Physical Phenomena (by Nina van Gorkom)