Vepacitti: 1 definition
Introduction:
Vepacitti 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 NamesAn Asura chieftain, who was present with Namuci (Mara) at the preaching of the Mahasamaya Sutta (D.ii.259). It is said that among the Asuras, Vepacitti, Rahu and Paharada were the chiefs. E.g., AA.ii.758, Vepacitti being the highest (sabbajetthaka, SA.i.263).
Vepacitti was the friend of Rahu, and when Rahu seized Candima and Suriya and these invoked the power of the Buddha, it was to Vepacitti that Rahu fled for comfort (S.i.50, 51). The Asuras being once defeated in a fight with the Devas, the latter took Vepacitti prisoner, and brought him, bound hand and foot, to Sakka in the Sudhamma hall. There Vepacitti reviled and railed at Sakka with scurrilous words, both on entering and on leaving the hall, but Sakka remained silent, and, when questioned by Matali, said it was not proper for him to bandy words with a fool. S.i.221f.; cf. S.iv.201, according to which his bondage caused him no inconvenience so long as he remained with the devas, but the moment he experienced the wish to rejoin the Asuras, he felt himself bound. Vepacittis capture is referred to in Thag.vs.749.
On another occasion Vepacitti suggested that victory should be given to him or to Sakka, according to their excellence in speech. Sakka agreed to this, and Vepacitti, as the older god, was asked to speak a verse. Sakka spoke another, the Devas applauding. Several verses were spoken by each, and both Devas and Asuras decided in favour of Sakka, because Vepacittis verses belonged, they said, to the sphere of violence, while those of Sakka belonged to one of concord and harmony (S.i.222f). Once, when Sakka was revolving in his mind the thought that he should not betray even his enemy, Vepacitti read his thoughts and came up to him. Stop, said Sakka, thou art my prisoner; but Vepacitti reminded him of his thought, and was allowed to go free (S.i.225).
Buddhaghosa says (SA.i.266) that Vepacittis original name was Sambara (q.v.). When Sambara refused to give to the seers, who visited him, a pledge that the Asuras would not harm them, the seers cursed him, and from that time onwards he slept badly and was plagued by nightmares. This so deranged his mind (cittam vepati) that he came to be called Vepacitti (Crazy nerve). When Vepacitti lay ill of this disease, Sakka visited him and offered to cure him if he would teach him Sambaras magic art. Vepacitti consulted the Asuras, and, as they were unwilling, he refused Sakkas offer, warning him that Sambara, having practised magic, was suffering in purgatory and that he should avoid a similar fate (S.i.238f).
Buddhaghosa explains that, if Vepacitti had taught him the art, it was Sakkas intention to take Vepacitti to the seers and persuade them to forgive him (SA.i.272). This episode seems to contradict Buddhaghosas previous statement that Sambara and Vepacitti were identical. Perhaps, as Mrs.
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: Vepacitti Sutta.
Full-text: Vepacitti Sutta, Maya Sutta, Na Dubbhiya Sutta, Yavakalapiya Sutta, Isayo Arannaka Sutta, Shambara, Asurinda, Vemacitrin, Isayo Samuddaka Sutta, Asura, Paharada, Suriya, Suja, Sakka, Kulavaka Jataka, Sumeru Worlds, Rahu, Deva.
Relevant text
Search found 6 books and stories containing Vepacitti; (plurals include: Vepacittis). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)
(15) Suriya-paritta Sutta < [Chapter 2 - Subject Matter of the First Bhanavara]
(14) Candaparitta-sutta < [Chapter 2 - Subject Matter of the First Bhanavara]
(2) Mahasamaya Sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
The Story of Magha, the Young Man of Macala Village < [Chapter 39 - How the Āṭānāṭiya Paritta came to be Taught]
(6) Sixth Pāramī: The Perfection of Forbearance (khantī-pāramī) < [Chapter 6 - On Pāramitā]
Chapter 4 - Removing His Hair and becoming a Recluse < [Volume 2.1]
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XIII - The conversion of the Asuras < [Volume III]
Early Buddhist Attitude to War < [July – September, 1994]
The Book of Protection (by Piyadassi Thera)
Discourse 18 - The Great Assembly < [Discourses]
Cetasikas (by Nina van Gorkom)
Chapter 29 - Non-aversion < [Part IV - Beautiful Cetasikas]