I. Brahman
neuter [cp. Vedic bráhman nt. prayer; nom. sg bráhma]
- the supreme good; as a buddhistic term used in a sense different from the brahmanic (save in controversy with Brahmans); a state like that of Brahmā (or Brahman) AN.ii.184 (brahmappatta). In compounds brahma˚.
- Vedic text, mystic formula prayer DN-a.i.244 (brahmaṃ aṇatī ti brāhmaṇo).
II. Brahmā
[cp. Vedic brahmán, m., one who prays or chants hymns, nom. sg. Brahmā]
- the god Brahmā chief of the gods, often represented as the creator of the Universe (vasavattī issaro kattā nimmātā) DN.i.18 DN.iii.30, also called Mahābrahmā (DN.i.235 sq., DN.i.244 sq. DN.iii.30; Iti.15; Vism.578; Dhp-a.ii.60); and Sahampati (Vin.i.5; DN.ii.157; SN.i.136 sq.; Vism.201; Kp-a.171; Snp-a.56) and Sanaṅkumāra (DN.ii.226; DN.iii.97). The duration of his life is given as being 1 kalpa (see Kv.207, Kv.208)
■ nom. Brahmā Vin.i.5; DN.ii.46; Ja.vi.486; Mil.224; Vism.2 (brahmānaṃ atibrahmā, epithet of Buddha Bhagavā); Snp-a.229 (B. mahānubhāvo); gen abl. Brahmano DN.ii.209; Vism.205; Snp-a.177; instr Brahmanā DN.i.252; DN.ii.239; Dhp.105, Dhp.230; Vism.48, Vism.405; Dhp-a.ii.60; acc. Brahmānaṃ DN.ii.37; voc. Brahme SN.i.138. - a brahma god, a happy & blameless celestial being, an inhabitant of the higher heavens (brahma-loka; in which to be reborn is a reward of great merit); nom. sg. brahmā SN.i.142 (Baka br.) MN.i.327 (id.); AN.iv.83; Pv-a.138 (˚devatā for brahma˚?) gen. abl. brahmuno SN.i.142, SN.i.155; instr. brahmunā DN.iii.147, DN.iii.150 & brahmanā Pv-a.98; voc. sg. brahme MN.i.328. pl. nom. brahmāno Mil.13, Mil.18 (where Ja.vi.486 has Mahā-brahmā in id. p.); Dhs-a.195; gen brahmānaṃ Vism.2; Mhbv.151
■ paccekabrahmā a br. by himself SN.i.149 (of the name of Tudu; cp. paccekabuddha)
■ sabrahmaka (adj.) including the brahma gods DN.i.62; AN.ii.70; Vin.i.11; DN-a.i.174.