Why buddhist monks being called samana ?
Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:23 am
In suttas one can see sometimes bhikkhus are called samana why ? Was bhikkhu and samana synonym ?
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All Bhikkhus are called samanas, novices are called samaneras. The meanings are different, see...
Thanks but i am asking why not just refer as bhikkhu ? Samana include other ascetics . In the suttas , isnt Buddha suppose to refer to buddhist monk as bhikkhu only and not samana which may get confuse with other traditions .Goofaholix wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:43 amAll Bhikkhus are called samanas, novices are called samaneras. The meanings are different, see...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Arama%E1%B9%87a
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhu#: ... bhikkhu%20(Pali%3A%20%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%81%2C,called%20the%20pr%C4%81timok%E1%B9%A3a%20or%20p%C4%81timokkha.
The Śramaṇa tradition includes Jainism,[8] Buddhism,[9] and others such as the Ājīvikas, Ajñanas and Cārvākas.
I think it does indeed have the wider sense of wanderer, religious striver or recluse, which includes other traditions. But if it includes Buddhist monks or bhikkhus, and the context is clear, then I can't see a problem in using the term to refer to those bhikkhus, especially when one wants to point out their wandering or striving.asahi wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 7:27 amThanks but i am asking why not just refer as bhikkhu ? Samana include other ascetics . In the suttas , isnt Buddha suppose to refer to buddhist monk as bhikkhu only and not samana which may get confuse with other traditions .Goofaholix wrote: ↑Thu Jun 10, 2021 6:43 amAll Bhikkhus are called samanas, novices are called samaneras. The meanings are different, see...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Arama%E1%B9%87a
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bhikkhu#: ... bhikkhu%20(Pali%3A%20%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%96%E0%A5%81%2C,called%20the%20pr%C4%81timok%E1%B9%A3a%20or%20p%C4%81timokkha.
Wiki :The Śramaṇa tradition includes Jainism,[8] Buddhism,[9] and others such as the Ājīvikas, Ajñanas and Cārvākas.
In some contexts they are synonymous, particularly when the words are being used in a valorized sense: "true bhikkhu," "true samana" or even "true brahmin".
has the same meaning as "bhikkhu" as used in the Bhikkhu chapter of the Dhammapada:"Wherever, Subhadda, the Noble Eightfold Path is not found in a Dhamma and Vinaya, there a first true samana is not found, there a second true samana is not found, there a third true samana is not found, there a fourth true samana is not found."
(DN 16)
and the same meaning as "brahmana" as used in the Brahmana chapter of the Dhammapada:He who has no attachment whatsoever for the mind and body, who does not grieve for what he has not—he is truly called a bhikkhu.
In all three cases the term denotes ariyan ascetics.He who, having cut off all fetters, trembles no more, who has overcome all attachments and is emancipated—him do I call a brahmana.
Bhante , but it appears that in the vinaya those terms were not used except only bhikkhu . Perhaps Buddha used bhikkhu so to differentiate from other ascetics .Dhammanando wrote: ↑Fri Jun 11, 2021 10:04 am
In some contexts they are synonymous, particularly when the words are being used in a valorized sense: "true bhikkhu," "true samana" or even "true brahmin".
For example, "samana" as used in the Mahaparinibbanasutta:
has the same meaning as "bhikkhu" as used in the Bhikkhu chapter of the Dhammapada:"Wherever, Subhadda, the Noble Eightfold Path is not found in a Dhamma and Vinaya, there a first true samana is not found, there a second true samana is not found, there a third true samana is not found, there a fourth true samana is not found."
(DN 16)
and the same meaning as "brahmana" as used in the Brahmana chapter of the Dhammapada:He who has no attachment whatsoever for the mind and body, who does not grieve for what he has not—he is truly called a bhikkhu.
In all three cases the term denotes ariyan ascetics.He who, having cut off all fetters, trembles no more, who has overcome all attachments and is emancipated—him do I call a brahmana.
Even in the Vinaya there are passages where samaṇa is synonymous with bhikkhu. For example, one of the ways of announcing that you're giving up the bhikkhu training is by saying "assamaṇoti maṃ dhārehi", "Hold me to be not a samaṇa". And a stock phrase to describe a pārājika bhikkhu is "assamaṇo hoti asakyaputtiyo", "He is not a samaṇa, not a son of the Sakyan."
Sure. In contexts where it's necessary to stress the point, i.e., where it might not otherwise be obvious.
Yes, the Jains did (and still do) though it isn't the principal term they use for their monks, but just an alternative one.
I've never called myself a samaṇa but I've often referred to the renunciate life as "the life (or practice) of a samaṇa".
In my opinion it would be better not to. Listeners may think that they are using it in its valorized sense and claiming ariyan attainment.
I think in majority of buddhists whether monastics and especially lays , the understanding are not that deep and thorough thus probably would not regard a bhikkhu (if by calling himself a samana or brahmana) are claiming ariyan attaintment but rather most might be mistaken that by saying so they are erroneously identifying themselves with other ascetics or religions .Dhammanando wrote: ↑Sat Jun 12, 2021 5:48 am In my opinion it would be better not to. Listeners may think that they are using it in its valorized sense and claiming ariyan attainment.
I recommend a video such as this one for a description of what a samana is and isn't.Mr. Seek wrote: ↑Sun Sep 05, 2021 11:57 am Samanas... bhikkhus... brahmanas... these terms require research for one to understand them properly, so that's what I'll advice; there's no straightforward translations of them because they carry specific cultural/historic value.
Samanas were a specific movement. What we now call bhikkhus, i.e. the wandering-begging-ascetic-devotees-of -Gotama, were merely one small current within the ocean of samanas. Another such current was the jains; the ajivikas too if my memory is correct.
Samaṇo means "ascetic" because bhikkhu meditate.