Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c29.998
Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v2.c29.998
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v2.c29.998
The term Brahmakāyikā-devā seems to be used as a class-name for all the inhabitants of the Brahma-worlds.¹⁵ The Mahā-Niddesa Commentary¹⁶ says that the word includes all the five (?) kinds of Brahmā (sabbe pi pañca vokāraBrahmāno gahitā). The BuA.¹⁷ thus defines the word Brahmā: brūhito tehi tehi guṇavisesahī = Brahmā. Ayaṃ pana Brahmasaddo Mahā-Brahma-Thathāgata-mātāpitu-seṭṭhādisu dissati. The Samantapāsādikā¹⁸ speaks of a Mahā Brahmā who was a khiṇāsava, living for sixteen thousand kappas. When the Buddha, immediately after his birth, looked around and took his steps northward, it was this Brahmā who seized the babe by his finger and assured him that none was greater than he.