➥ sakyaputtiya:

• for sakyaputta (for bhikkhus):
  • young Sakyan bhikkhu
• for sakyaputta (for the Buddha):
  • the Sakyans’ Son
• for sakyaputtiya:
  • disciple of the Sakyans’ Son
• for sakyadhītā (bhikkhunīs): [spiritual] daughter of the Sakyan

Sakyaputto: Sakyan bhikkhus

Sakyaputto is a term reserved for Sakyan bhikkhus. For example, Upanando Sakyaputto, Hatthako Sakyaputto, and others.

Why were Sakyan bhikkhus called putto? Perhaps they were much younger than other ascetics, especially in the early years of the Buddha’s ministry. The Buddha was so much younger than contemporary religious teachers that King Pasenadi doubted he was enlightened at all (SN i 68). If so, then sakyaputto does not mean ‘son of the Sakyan clan’ but ‘young Sakyan bhikkhu.’ This is in accordance with Bhikkhu Bodhi’s rendering of devaputta as ‘young deva.’ He says devaputtas are ‘young devas newly arisen in their respective heavenly planes’ (CDB p.75).

Only bhikkhus of the Sakyan clan were given the -putto suffix, not other clans.

Gotamo Sakyaputto: shades of glory

But Gotamo Sakyaputto could not possibly mean ‘Gotama, the young Sakyan bhikkhu.’ Here sakyaputto has shades of glory. We treat it accordingly: ‘the Sakyans’ Son’:

• Glory to Aṅgīrasa, the Sakyans’ radiant Son.

aṅgīrasassa namatthu sakyaputtassa sirīmato. (DN iii 196)

Sakyaputtiya: disciple of the Sakyans’ Son

Sakyaputtiya is a compound, says PED: sakyaputta + iya ‘belonging to the Sakyans’ Son,’ which we take as ‘disciple of the Sakyans’ Son.’

Bhikkhunī: [spiritual] daughter of the Sakyan

The comparable term for bhikkhunī is samaṇī sakyadhītā (Vin.4.220): ‘female ascetic, [spiritual] daughter of the Sakyan.’ The Buddha likewise called bhikkhus his spiritual sons:

• You are my spiritual sons, born of my mouth, born of the teaching.

Tassa me tumhe puttā orasā mukhato jātā dhammajā. (Iti 101)

Orasa means ‘true or legitimate,’ says DOP.

➥ sakko: (main article see: sakyaputtiya)

Illustration: sakko, the Sakyan

Nandiya the Sakyan approached the Blessed One, venerated him, and sat down at a respectful distance.

nandiyo sakko yena bhagavā tenupasaṅkami. Upasaṅkamitvā bhagavantaṁ abhivādetvā ekamantaṁ nisīdi. (SN v 403)

➥ sakyaputtā: (main article see: sakyaputtiya)

Illustration: sakyaputtā, young Sakyan bhikkhus

In the Eastern Bamboo Grove young Sakyan bhikkhus, companions,

Pācīnavaṁsadāyamhi sakyaputtā sahāyakā

Having given up no small store of wealth, delighted with whatever offerings enter their almsbowls

Pahāyānappake bhoge uñchāpattāgate ratā. (Tha 155)

➥ sakyaputto: (main article see: sakyaputtiya)

Illustration: sakyaputto, the young Sakyan bhikkhu

Once, Hatthaka, the young Sakyan bhikkhu, was overthrown in debate.

Tena kho pana samayena hatthako sakyaputto vādakkhitto hoti. (Vin.4.2)

Illustration: sakyaputto, the Sakyans’ Son

The ascetic Gotama, the Sakyans’ Son, who went forth [into the ascetic life] from a Sakyan clan

samaṇo gotamo sakyaputto sakyakulā pabbajito. (MN i 502)

Illustration: sakyaputta, young Sakyan bhikkhu; sakyaputtiyā, disciples of the Sakyans’ Son

Having given the young Sakyan bhikkhu, Venerable Upananda, a kahāpaṇa of money, that man complained, muttered, and grumbled that ‘Just as we accept gold and silver, so do these ascetic disciples of the Sakyans’ Son.

Atha kho so puriso āyasmato upanandassa sakyaputtassa kahāpaṇaṁ datvā ujjhāyati khīyati vipāceti: yatheva mayaṁ rūpiyaṁ paṭiggaṇhāma evameva ime samaṇā sakyaputtiyā rūpiyaṁ paṭiggaṇhantī ti. (Vin.3.237)

➥ sakyaputtiyo: (main article see: sakyaputtiya)

Illustration: sakyaputtiyo, disciple of the Sakyans’ Son

Do you, O worthless man, claim to be an ascetic disciple of the Sakyans’ Son?

Tvampi nāma moghapurisa samaṇo sakyaputtiyo paṭijānissī ti?'. (DN iii 7)

➥ sakyaputtiyā: (main article see: sakyaputtiya)

Illustration: sakyaputtiyā, disciples of the Sakyans’ Son

These ascetic disciples of the Sakyans’ Son are shameless

alajjino ime samaṇā sakyaputtiyā. (Uda 44)

Illustration: sakyaputtiyo, disciple of the Sakyans’ Son

That bhikkhu who indulges in sexual intercourse becomes not an ascetic, not a disciple of the Sakyans’ Son.

Yo bhikkhu methunaṁ dhammaṁ paṭisevati assamaṇo hoti asakyaputtiyo. (Vin.1.96)

Illustration: sakyaputtiya, disciple of the Sakyans’ Son

There is no gratitude and thankfulness in some person here claiming to be a disciple of the Sakyans’ Son.

Na tveva idhekacce sakyaputtiyapaṭiññe siyā kāci kataññutā kataveditā. (SN ii 272)

Illustration: sakyaputtiya, disciples of the Sakyans’ Son

Who is here, friend?

Ko'ttha āvuso ti?

Friend, I am a bhikkhu.

Ahamāvuso bhikkhū ti.

Of which group of bhikkhus, friend?

Katamesaṁ āvuso bhikkhūnan ti?

The ascetic disciples of the Sakyans’ Son, friend.

Samaṇānaṁ āvuso sakyaputtiyānan ti. (AN v 196)