Articles by alphabetic order
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
 Ā Ī Ñ Ś Ū Ö Ō
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0


Pacceka Brahma

From Tibetan Buddhist Encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Buddhist bells.jpg

Pacceka Brahma; Pacceka means lesser; Brahma; Pacceka Brahmā. Mention is made in one or two places in the books of Brahmas who are described as Pacceka Brahmā - e.g., Subrahmā, Suddhāvāsa and Tudu. I have not come across any explanation of this term. It may designate a Brahmā who does not live in any recognized Brahmā world, but in a world of his own.

Teacher of Culla Kokālika having become an Anāgāmī, was born as a Pacceka Brahma in the Brahma-world.S.i.149; A.v.171; J.iv.245; AA.ii.852; SA.i.167f; SNA.ii.476.

Mention is made in one or two places in the books of Brahmas who are described as Pacceka Brahma - e.g., Subrahma, Suddhavasa and Tudu. I have not come across any explanation of this term. It may designate a Brahma who does not live in any recognized Brahma world, but in a world of his own.

He is often called Brahma Sahampati, a title of doubtful meaning and not found in Brahmanic writings. The Pitakas often speak of Brahmas and worlds of Brahma in the plural, as if there were a whole class of Brahmas. See especially the Suttas collected in book I, chap. vi. of the Samyutta-Nikaya where we even hear of Pacceka Brahmas, apparently corresponding in some way to Pacceka Buddhas.