What is the meaning of Ariya?

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SarathW
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What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by SarathW »

What is the meaning of Ariya?
Especially I like to know the meaning of Ariya Sangha.
Can I say Ariya Sangha to a Buddhist monk who is not Sotapanna?
Then the question comes how do we know who is whether a monk is Ariya or not?
“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
SarathW
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Re: What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by SarathW »

In the suttas it's the bhikkhusaṅgha / bhikkhunīsaṅgha and the sāvakasaṅgha.

In later texts the first two get called the sammutisaṅgha and the last the ariyasaṅgha.

That they are different can be seen from the fact that although every bhikkhu is a member of the bhikkhusaṅgha, not every bhikkhu possesses the nine special qualities that the suttas ascribe to the sāvakasaṅgha. Also, not every bhikkhu is one of the “the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals.”

“The saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is practicing the good way, practicing the straight way, practicing the true way, practicing the proper way; that is, the four pairs of persons, the eight types of individuals—this saṅgha of the Blessed One’s disciples is worthy of gifts, worthy of hospitality, worthy of offerings, worthy of reverential salutation, the unsurpassed field of merit for the world.”
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“As the lamp consumes oil, the path realises Nibbana”
santa100
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Re: What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by santa100 »

SarathW wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:40 am ...
#1. What is the meaning of Ariya? Especially I like to know the meaning of Ariya Sangha.
See definition Here

#2. Can I say Ariya Sangha to a Buddhist monk who is not Sotapanna?
Depends. If you mean to indicate his current sangha of monks including himself, then technically No, due to the definition above. But there's nothing wrong with using the term in general as some inspiration/aspiration to the ideals.

#3. Then the question comes how do we know who is whether a monk is Ariya or not?
One will never know for sure unless s/he himself is also an Ariya.
Milinda
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Re: What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by Milinda »

That word germans used to like :rofl:
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cappuccino
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Re: What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by cappuccino »

Milinda wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 9:24 pm That word germans used to like
So
Milinda
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Re: What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by Milinda »

cappuccino wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 9:51 pm
Milinda wrote: Fri Feb 03, 2023 9:24 pm That word germans used to like
So
I think in Buddha times the word Ariya also had a bound or certain connections with the descendants of the Shatriyas, like the Sakyas and the Bhramis.
Agnikan
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Re: What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by Agnikan »

SarathW wrote: Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:40 am What is the meaning of Ariya?
It’s a new all-electric SUV from Nissan.
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Mahabrahma
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Re: What is the meaning of Ariya?

Post by Mahabrahma »

It seems to have quite a plethora of definitions.

But I found one of great importance :spy: :

12) A Buddha.

https://www.wisdomlib.org/definition/arya

Seems like a Highly popular term back in the days!
That sage who has perfect insight,
at the summit of spiritual perfection:
that’s who I call a brahmin.

-Dhammapada.
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