Home › Glossary › Letter U

Upagupta

World Religion
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A revered Buddhist monk and teacher in early Indian Buddhism, known for his compassion and role in spreading the Dharma.

Detailed Definition
Upagupta appears in Ashokavadana and other texts as a model of humility and skillful means. In poetry, he is depicted tending to the sick, converting kings, or meditating in forests. Poets use his life to illustrate how wisdom and kindness can transform even the hardest hearts.
Example
Example in poetry:
A Buddhist poem: “Upagupta, the forest monk, met Māra not with fear, but with mettā”; In a modern verse, “Upagupta teaches: even demons deserve compassion”; A minimalist reflection: “Upagupta: courage wrapped in kindness”; A historical note: “His story reminds us: enlightenment isn’t escape—it’s engagement.”
Additional Notes
Upagupta was a renowned Buddhist monk and teacher who is considered the fifth patriarch in Indian Buddhism. He is particularly venerated in Southeast Asia and is known for his role in spreading the Dharma and for his legendary encounters, including taming the tempter Mara. His stories often highlight his compassion and skillful teaching. For scholars and poets, Upagupta represents the living lineage of teachers who carried the Dharma forward after the Buddha's Parinirvana.
Also Known As
Buddha's Successor
Skip to main content