Arya (Buddhism)
Arya (Sanskrit "ārya"; Pāli: "ariya") is a term used in Buddhism that can be translated as "noble", "not ordinary", "valuable", "precious", "pure", "rich". Arya in the sense of "noble" or "exalted" is frequently used in Buddhist texts to designate a spiritual warrior or hero. Usage. The term is used in the following contexts: In the context of the four noble truths, contemporary scholars explain the meaning of "ārya" as follows: Bhikkhu Bodhi explains: In Chinese Buddhist texts, "" is translated as 聖 (approximately, "holy, sacred", pinyin "shèng", on'yomi "sei"). The spiritual character of the use of the term ārya  in Buddhist texts can also be seen in the Mahavibhasa and in the Yogacarabhumi. The Mahāvibhasa states that only the noble ones (āryas) realize all four of the four noble truths (āryasatyāni) and that only a noble wisdom understands them fully. The same text also describes the āryas as the ones who "have understood and realized about the [truth of] suffering, (impermanence, emptiness, and no-self)" and who "understand things as they are". In another text, the Yogācārabhūmi (Taishō 1579, vol. xx, 364b10-15), the āryas are described as being free from the "viparyāsa"s. Several Buddhist texts show that the   was taught to everybody, including the āryas, Dasyus, Devas, Gandharvas and Asuras. The (from the Mūlasarvāstivādavinaya) describes a story of Buddha teaching his dharma to the Four Heavenly Kings () of the four directions. In this story, the guardians of the east () and the south () are āryajatiya (āryas) who speak Sanskrit, while the guardians of the west () and the north () are dasyujatiya (Dasyus) who speak Dasyu languages. In order to teach his Dharma, Buddha has to deliver his discourse in Aryan and Dasyu languages. This story describes Buddha teaching his Dharma to the āryas and Dasyus alike. The (a Mahāyāna sūtra ) describes how Avalokiteśvara taught the ārya Dharma to the asuras, s and s. In many parts of the South India, if somebody (new) is supposed to be addressed respectably, the prefix "Ayya", derived from "Arya" is used. South Indians used to call them "Arya" which is now transformed to "Ayya". This term is used even today.