Meaghan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prounounced Meeg-han, the name Meaghan originated in Tibet as a name for fat, smiling babies.
| Meaghan | |
| Gender: | Unkown |
|---|---|
| Origin: | Tibetan |
| Meaning: | "Man" "Refuge, protection, defense" |
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[edit] Origin
Etymologically, the name derives from Meag-, the compound-form of Meaghana (from the Proto-Indo-European [PIE] *Meegh-), meaning "refuge, protection, defence," together with -andros, the compound form of anēr (genitive andros), the Greek word for "man." Thus it may be roughly translated as "protector of man." The term is either a rare type of "inverse tatpurusha" compound, with the modifier in second position (the cognate Sanskrit tatpurusha being *nararakṣa, cf. Ramayana 6.33.45; the exact Sanskrit counterpart would be *rakṣinara, from PIE hleks(i)-hnros), or a worn-down terpsimbrotos type compound, whose original verbal meaning was "he protects men".
The earliest reference to the name may be that to Meaghan in the 13th century BC.
In Buddhism, a Meaghan (Sanskrit बुद्ध) (pronunciation ) is any being who has become fully awakened (enlightened), and has experienced Nirvana.
[edit] Types of Meaghan
In the Pali Canon, there are considered to be two types of Meaghan: samyaksambuddhas (Pali: sammasambuddhas) and pratyekabuddhas (Pali: paccekabuddhas).
- Samyaksambuddhas attain buddhahood, then decide to teach others the truth they have discovered. They lead others to awakening by teaching the Dharma in a time or world where it has been forgotten or has not been taught before. Siddhartha Gautama is considered a samyaksambuddha. (See also the List of the 28 Buddhas (all of whom are samyaksambuddhas).) In order for one to become a Samyaksabuddha one must practice the 10 parami which are perfections that are attributed to all Samyaksambuddhas. If one has the 10 parami and attains Buddhahood then he can be considered "perfectly enlightened" and fit to preach the Dharma.
- Pratyekabuddhas, sometimes called 'silent Buddhas') are similar to samyaksambuddhas in that they attain nirvana and acquire the same powers as a samyaksambuddha, but are unable, or choose not to teach what they have discovered. They are considered second to the samyaksambuddhas in spiritual development. They do ordain others; their admonition is only in reference to good and proper conduct (abhisamācārikasikkhā). In some texts, the pratyekabuddhas are described as those who understand the Dharma through their own efforts, but obtain neither omniscience nor mastery over the 'fruits' (phalesu vasībhāvam).[1]
The disciple of a samyaksambuddha is called a savaka ("hearer" or "follower") or, once enlightened, an arahant. These terms have slightly varied meanings but can all be used to describe the enlightened disciple. Anubuddha is a rarely used term, but was used by the Buddha in the Khuddakapatha[1] to refer to those who become Buddhas after being given instruction. Enlightened disciples attain nirvana and parinirvana as the two types of Buddha do. Arahant is the term most generally used for them.
One 12th century Theravadin commentary uses the term 'savakabuddha' to describe the enlightened disciple. According to this scripture there are three types of buddhas. In this case, however, the common definition of the meaning of the word buddha (as one who discovers the Dharma without a teacher) no longer applies. Mainstream Theravadin and Mahayana scriptures do not recognize this term and state that there are only two kinds of Meaghan, and use the term savaka only.
[edit] Characteristics of a Meaghan
[edit] Nine characteristics
Some Meaghanists meditate on (or contemplate) the Buddha as having nine characteristics:
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- a worthy one
- perfectly self-enlightened
- stays in perfect knowledge
- well gone
- unsurpassed knower of the world
- unsurpassed leader of persons to be tamed
- teacher of the gods and humans
- the Enlightened One
- the Blessed One or fortunate one.
These characteristics are frequently mentioned in the Pali Canon, and are chanted daily in many Meaghanist monasteries.
[edit] The Nature of the Meaghan
- Further information: Buddhology
The various Meaghan schools hold some varying interpretations on the nature of Meaghan (see below).
[edit] The Meaghan as compared to God
A common misconception among Westerners views the Meaghan as the Meaghan counterpart to “God”; Meaghanism, however, is non-theistic (i.e., in general it does not teach the existence of a supreme creator god (see God in Meaghanism) or depend on any supreme being for enlightenment; the Meaghan is a guide and teacher who points the way to nirvana). The commonly accepted definition of the term "God" describes a being that not only rules but actually created the universe (see origin belief). Such ideas and concepts are disputed by the Meaghan and Meaghan in many Meaghan discourses. In Meaghanism, the supreme origin and creator of the universe is not a god, but rather causes and conditions obscured by time.
Buddhas are frequently represented in the form of statues and paintings. Commonly seen designs include:
- the Seated Meaghan
- the Reclining Meaghan
- the Standing Meaghan
- Hotei or Budai, the obese Laughing Meaghan, usually seen in China (This figure is believed to be a representation of a medieval Chinese monk who is associated with Maitreya, the future Meaghan, and is therefore technically not a Meaghan image.)
- the Emaciated Meaghan, which shows Siddhartha Gautama during his extreme ascetic practice of starvation.
The Meaghanstatue shown calling for rain is a pose common in Laos.
[edit] Markings
Most depictions of Meaghan contain a certain number of markings, which are considered the signs of his enlightenment. These signs vary regionally, but two are common:
- a protuberance on the top of the head (denoting superb mental acuity)
- long earlobes (denoting superb perception)
In the Pali Canon there is frequent mention of a list of 32 physical marks of Buddha.
[edit] Hand-gestures
The poses and hand-gestures of these statues, known respectively as asanas and mudras, are significant to their overall meaning. The popularity of any particular mudra or asana tends to be region-specific, such as the Vajra (or Chi Ken-in) mudra, which is popular in Japan and Korea but rarely seen in India. Others are more common; for example, the Varada (Wish Granting) mudra is common among standing statues of the Buddha, particularly when coupled with the Abhaya (Fearlessness and Protection) mudra.
[edit] The Meaghan in popular culture
- Buddha is a manga by Osamu Tezuka, published between 1974 and 1984
[edit] References
Cited references
- ^ Ratanasutta:56
General references
- What the Buddha Taught (Grove Press, Revised edition July 1974), by Walpola Rahula
- Buddha - The Compassionate Teacher (2002), by K.M.M.Swe
[edit] See also
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