Vessavana, Vessavaṇa: 1 definition (2024)

  1. Introduction
  2. In Buddhism
    1. Theravada
  3. See also

Introduction:

Vessavana 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 (V)next»]— Vessavana in Theravada glossary

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

One of the names of Kuvera, given to him because his kingdom is called Visana (D.iii.201; SNA.i.369, etc.). He is one of the Catummaharajano and rules over the Yakkhas, his kingdom being in the north (E.g., D.ii.207). In the Atanatiya Sutta he is the spokesman, and he recited the Atanatiya rune for the protection of the Buddha and his followers from the Yakkhas who had no faith in the Buddha. D.iii.194; he was spokesman because he was intimate with the Buddha, expert in conversation, well trained (DA.iii.962).

He rides in the Narivahana, which is twelve yojanas long, its seat being of coral. His retinue is composed of ten thousand crores of Yakkhas. (SNA.i.379; the preachers seat in the Lohapasada at Anuradhapura was made in the design of the Narivahana, Mhv.xxvii.29). He is a sotapanna and his life span is ninety thousand years (AA.ii.718). The books record a conversation between him and Velukantaki Nandamata (q.v.), when he heard her sing the Parayana Vagga and stayed to listen. When Culasubhadda wished to invite the Buddha and his monks to her house in Saketa, and felt doubtful about it, Vessavana appeared before her and said that the Buddha would come at her invitation (AA.ii.483).

On another occasion (A.iv.162; on his way to see the Buddha) he heard Uttara Thera preaching to the monks in Dhavajalika on the Sankheyya Mountain, near Mahisavatthu, and went and told Sakka, who visited Uttara and had a discussion with him.

Once when Vessavana was travelling through the air, he saw Sambhuta Thera wrapt in samadhi. Vessavana descended from his chariot, worshipped the Thera, and left behind two Yakkhas with orders to wait until the Elder should emerge from his trance. The Yakkhas then greeted the Thera in the name of Vessavana and told him they had been left to protect him. The Elder sent thanks to Vessavana, but informed him, through the Yakkhas, that the Buddha had taught his disciples to protect themselves through mindfulness, and so further protection was not needed. Vessavana visited Sambhuta on his return, and finding that the Elder had become an arahant, went to Savatthi and carried the news to the Buddha. ThagA.i.46f. Just as he encouraged the good, so he showed his resentment against the wicked; see, e.g., Revati.

Mention is made of Vessavanas Gadavudha* and his mango tree, the Atulamba**. Alavakas abode was near that of Vessavana (SNA.i.240).

* SNA.i.225; the books (e,g., SA.i.249; Sp.ii.440) are careful to mention that he used his Gadavudha only while he was yet a puthujjana.

** J.iv.324, also called Abbhantaramba (see the Abbharantara Jataka).

Bimbisara, after death, was born seven times as one of the ministers (paricaraka) of Vessavana, and, while on his way with a message from Vessavana to Virulhaka,

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).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text (+33): Gadavudha, Nalini, Tatola, Tatojasi, Visravana, Sajja, Nandamata Sutta, Kancanapatti, Acchimati, Pavara, Jotirasa, Vishana, Vaishravana, Atulamba, Lokapala, Janavasabha, Bhandukanna, Velukantaki, Avaruddhaka, Narivahana.

Relevant text

Search found 13 books and stories containing Vessavana, Vessavaṇa; (plurals include: Vessavanas, Vessavaṇas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Book of Protection (by Piyadassi Thera)

Discourse 24 - Discourse On Atanatiya < [Discourses]

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The Catu-Bhanavara-Pali (critical study) (by Moumita Dutta Banik)

The fourth Bhanavara (Introduction) < [Chapter 5 - Subject Matter of the Fourth Bhanavara]

(8) Atanatiya-sutta < [Chapter 4 - Subject Matter of the Third Bhanavara]

Importance of Atanatiya sutta < [Chapter 5 - Subject Matter of the Fourth Bhanavara]

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The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)

Discourse on Rukkhadhamma Jātaka < [Chapter 22 - Founding of Vesali]

Part 3 - The Conception Of The Bodhisatta < [Chapter 1 - The Jewel of the Buddha]

Part 4 - Taming of Āḷavaka the Ogre < [Chapter 33 - The Buddha’s Fifteenth Vassa at Kapilavatthu]

+ 2 more chapters / show preview

The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)

Jataka 281: Abbhantara-jātaka < [Book III - Tika-Nipāta]

Jataka 74: Rukkhadhamma-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]

Jataka 155: Gagga-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]

+ 10 more chapters / show preview

The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)

Chapter III-d - Visit to other worlds (4): Four Great Kings (cāturmahārājika) < [Volume I]

Chapter XVII - The tenth Bhūmi < [Volume I]

Chapter XXIII - Megha and Meghadatta < [Volume I]

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Amaravati Art in the Context of Andhra Archaeology (by Sreyashi Ray chowdhuri)

Vidurapaṇḍita Jātaka < [Chapter 3 - Amarāvatī and the Formative Stage of the Buddhist Art]

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Click here for all 13 books

Vessavana, Vessavaṇa: 1 definition (2024)

FAQs

Vessavana, Vessavaṇa: 1 definition? ›

Vaiśravaṇa

Vaiśravaṇa
Vaiśravaṇa is the guardian of the northern direction, and his home is in the northern quadrant of the topmost tier of the lower half of Sumeru. He is the leader of all the yakṣas who dwell on the Sumeru's slopes. He is often portrayed with a yellow face.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Vaiśravaṇa
or Vessavaṇa is the name of the chief of the Four Heavenly Kings and an important person in Buddhism. painting of Tamonten, the Guardian of the North (one of the Four Guardian Kings). 13th century.

What is Vaiśravaṇa the god of? ›

In Tibet, Vaiśravaṇa is considered a lokapāla or dharmapāla in the retinue of Ratnasambhava. He is also known as the King of the North. As guardian of the north, he is often depicted on temple murals outside the main door. He is also thought of as a god of wealth.

What is the Vassavasa in Buddhism? ›

The term vassavasa means 'residence during rains'; also known as rains-retreat. Well known in the historical story, the Buddha preached his first sermon to the five ascetics at Sarnath. In those times, his preaching tour was reduced by the three-month period spent in vassavasa.

What is the Pavarana ceremony in Buddhism? ›

Pavarana means, "inviting admonition". Monks come together to discuss the good and bad of being a monk, in addition to anything they may want to confess from the last three months. The evening after the Pavarana ceremony, lanterns are released into the sky.

What is the meaning of Vassa? ›

vassa, the Buddhist monastic retreat observed primarily in Buddhist communities in Southeast Asia during the three-month monsoon period each year. Pali: “rains”

Who is the lucky god in Buddhism? ›

Along with Hotei, this set includes other Buddhist gods such as Daikokuten, Bishamonten and Benzaiten, along with Chinese gods of longevity and prosperity and the Shinto god Ebisu. Of these seven gods, Hotei plays the most prominent role in Japanese culture because he is not just a lucky god, but also a buddha.

Is Asura a bad god? ›

Alain Daniélou states that Asuras were initially good, virtuous and powerful in Indian mythology. However, their nature gradually changed and they came to represent evil, vice and abuse of power. In Shiva Purana, they evolved into anti-gods and had to be destroyed because they threatened the gods.

What do monks do during Vassa? ›

For the duration of Vassa, monastics remain in one place, typically a monastery or temple grounds. In some monasteries, monks dedicate the Vassa to intensive meditation. Some Buddhist lay people choose to observe Vassa by adopting more ascetic practices, such as giving up meat, alcohol, or smoking.

What are the three powerful enemies in Buddhism? ›

These are: 1) arrogant lay people; (2) arrogant priests; and (3) arrogant false sages who conspire with secular authorities to persecute the sutra's votaries. The common thread among these “three powerful enemies” is arrogance—their belief that they are better than others.

What are the 3 jewels of Buddhism? ›

The Three Jewels of Buddhism are Buddha, dharma, and sangha. Also called the Triple Gems or Triratna, the Sanskrit word for three jewels. Buddha, dharma, and sangha are primary acts of the Buddhist faith that create the learning journey towards nirvana.

What is the 7 day Buddhist ceremony? ›

Many Buddhists hold a series of services instead of a single funeral—every seven days, for seven weeks, culminating with a service on the 49th day after a loved one's death. No matter what form the funeral or memorial takes, the service is typically simple.

What is the rainbow body of Guru Rinpoche? ›

According to legend, Guru Rinpoche achieved the Rainbow Body at his death, dissolving his physical body into light and leaving behind only his hair, nails, and clothing. According to legend, Guru Rinpoche's training under his spiritual teacher, Shri Singha, marked the beginning of his journey toward the Rainbow Body.

What happens after a Buddhist wedding? ›

After the wedding has been blessed by the parents and the 'lama', the bride goes to her new husband's house. Here a big feast is held in celebration of their union.

What is the vassa in Buddhism? ›

Vassa is the rainy season, which lasts for around three months in most Southern Asian countries. Bikkhus do not travel in the rainy season because the Buddha was concerned they would damage crops and insects, although this was a concern of others as well as the Buddha.

What is the meaning of the Vassa? ›

noun. a port in W Finland, on the Gulf of Bothnia: the provisional capital of Finland (1918); textile industries.

What does Vassa mean in Sanskrit? ›

In Vedanta, Hindu, and yogic philosophy, the Sanskrit word vasana refers to unmanifest desires, or latent karmic imprints. The etymology of the word carries the following connotations, which are useful for understanding how vasanas work: A lingering smell. Clothing, garments, or a dwelling. A wish or desire.

Which god is Yaksha? ›

According to Hindu mythology, Yakshas are the nature spirits residing under the earth in the Himalayas, guarding the wealth of the planet. During the Vedic period, the priests conducted sacrifices to worship Yaksha. In the pre-Aryan day, they were honored by the rural, wishing for good and protection against evil.

What is Bishamon the god of? ›

Bishamonten is a Japanese god of war and a Buddhist protector of shrines and holy places. One of the Seven Lucky Gods, he protects the great treasure pagoda of Buddhist offerings and gives these out to faithful believers. He is a Japanese form of the Indian god Vaisravana.

Who is Vaiśravaṇa in Ramayana? ›

Vaiśravaṇa is another name for Kubera, king of yakshas. This name of Kubera is popular in buddhism. Name "Vaiśravaṇa" means "Great Fame" in Sanskrit. Both Vaisravana /Kubera and Ravana were sons of the sage Visrava Paulastya from two different wives.

What type of god is Asura? ›

Asuras were originally depicted in the earliest ancient Hindu texts as divine gods with an ambiguous nature and could be good or evil. However, in later Hindu texts, the Asuras began to be classified as enemies of the gods and were called demons.

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