Vemacitrin

{{short description|Asura who figures prominently in many Buddhist sūtras.}} {{Multiple issues| {{more citations|date=March 2026}} {{Sources exist|date=November 2024}} }}

'''Vemacitrin''' (Sanskrit) or '''Vepacitti''' (Pāli) is the name of a leader of the Asuras<ref>{{cite journal | last=Wakefield | first=Alex | title='Freedom from hatred': the role of Khanti in complementing the work of international humanitarian law (IHL) | journal=Contemporary Buddhism | volume=22 | issue=1-2 | date=July 3, 2021 | issn=1463-9947 | doi=10.1080/14639947.2022.2038030 | pages=281–298 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14639947.2022.2038030 | access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref> who figures prominently in many Buddhist sūtras.

Vemacitrin is the most prominent of the leaders of the Asuras in their fight with the devas of {{IAST|Trāyastriṃśa}} where they had formerly lived. After one battle he was made prisoner and bound before the throne of Śakra, ruler of {{IAST|Trāyastriṃśa}}, whom he treated with bitter verbal abuse. Śakra bore his insults patiently, and argued that such patience was a sign of strength, not of weakness. (''Vepacitti-sutta'', SN.xi.4)<ref>{{cite web | title=SN 11.4: Vepacittisutta—Bhikkhu Bodhi | website=SuttaCentral | url=https://suttacentral.net/sn11.4/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false | access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref><ref name="kosgama">{{cite journal | last1=Muditha | first1=Ven Kosgama | last2=Gnanawasa | first2=Ven Koralegama | last3=Pagngnawansa | first3=Ven Kirindiwela | title=How buddhist principles can help the practical implementation of IHL values during war with respect to non-combatants | journal=Contemporary Buddhism | volume=22 | issue=1-2 | date=July 3, 2021 | issn=1463-9947 | doi=10.1080/14639947.2022.2133911 | pages=355–366 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14639947.2022.2133911 | access-date=March 16, 2026| url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last=Premasiri | first=P. D. | title=Implications of buddhist political ethics for the minimisation of suffering in situations of armed conflict | journal=Contemporary Buddhism | volume=22 | issue=1-2 | date=July 3, 2021 | issn=1463-9947 | doi=10.1080/14639947.2021.2037893 | pages=73–87 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14639947.2021.2037893 | access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | last1=Bartles-Smith | first1=Andrew | last2=Crosby | first2=Kate | last3=Harvey | first3=Peter | last4=Premasiri | first4=P. D. | last5=Tilakaratne | first5=Asanga | last6=Ratheiser | first6=Daniel | last7=Deegalle | first7=Mahinda | last8=Trew | first8=Noel Maurer | last9=Travagnin | first9=Stefania | last10=Harris | first10=Elizabeth | title=Reducing Suffering During Conflict: The Interface Between Buddhism And International Humanitarian Law | journal=Contemporary Buddhism | volume=21 | issue=1-2 | date=July 2, 2020 | issn=1463-9947 | doi=10.1080/14639947.2021.1976016 | pages=369–435 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14639947.2021.1976016 | access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref>

On another occasion, Vemacitrin and Śakra had a contest of verses, before a joint company of devas and asuras. Each of them alternated with a verse of his spontaneous composition, to see who could speak best. Śakra was awarded the prize by both sides, because it was judged that Vemacitrin's verses tended entirely to contention and violence, whereas Śakra's were edifying and tended to peace and harmony. (''Subhasitajaya-sutta'', SN.xi.5)<ref>{{cite web | title=SN 11.5: Subhāsitajayasutta—Bhikkhu Bodhi | website=SuttaCentral | url=https://suttacentral.net/sn11.4/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false | access-date=March 16, 2026}}</ref>

Vemacitrin's daughter was named Sujā (or Sujātā). After a courtship that extended over many lives, Sujā married Śakra and Vemacitrin became his enemy's father-in-law.

==See also== *Viprachitti

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Buddhist gods Category:Asura