Ajitakesakambala, Ajitakesakambali, Ajitakeshakambala, Ajitakeśakambala, Ajita-keshakambala: 6 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
Languages
1. Sanskrit
See also

Introduction:

Ajitakesakambala means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

The Sanskrit term Ajitakeśakambala can be transliterated into English as Ajitakesakambala or Ajitakeshakambala, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

Head of one of the six heretical sects mentioned in the Pitakas as being contemporaneous with the Buddha. He is described as a Titthaka (heretical teacher), leader of a large following, virtuous and held in esteem by the people (S.i.68).

According to the Samannaphala Sutta (D.i.55), where Ajatasattu describes a visit paid to Ajita, he taught the doctrine of cutting off, i.e. annihilation at death. He was a nihilist who believed in neither good nor evil. In Tibetan sources he is stated to have taught that all beings must dwell in Samsara for 84,000 mahakalpas before they come to an end; nothing can prevent that (Rockhill: 103-4). The answer Ajita gave to Ajatasattu is given elsewhere (E.g., S.iii.207; M.i.515) as being the view of a typical sophist. His name is often introduced into the stereotyped list of the six teachers even where the views they are alleged to have expressed do not coincide with those attributed to Ajita in the Samannaphala Sutta. E.g., S.iv.398, where he is represented as talking about the rebirths of his adherents - he who denied rebirth. In A.i.286 he seems to have been confused with Makkhali Gosala. He was called Kesakambali because he wore a blanket of human hair, which is described as being the most miserable garment. It was cold in cold weather, hot in the hot, evil smelling and uncouth (DA.i.144; MA.i.422-3).

According to the Mahabodhi Jataka the Buddha had already refuted Ajitas view in previous births (J.v.246). Ajita was evidently much older in years than the Buddha, for we find Pasenadi, in the early years of his friendship with the Buddha, telling him that he was a young novice compared with Ajita. S.i.68.

In the Milinda panha the king says that he had visited a teacher named Ajitakesakambala. This cannot possibly refer to our Ajita; the reference is probably to a teacher belonging to the same school of thought (There is neither fruit nor result of good or evil karma, p.4. His views are given on p.25 without mention being made of his name. But see note 2 to the Mil. trans., p.8.).

References to ascetics wearing hair garments are found in several passages of the Pali canon. D.i.167; M.i.77, 238; A.i.240; for a discussion of Ajitas views see Barua: Pre Buddhistic Indian Philosophy, pp.287ff.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Ajitakeśakambala (अजितकेशकम्बल).—Name of one of the six chief heretical teachers. (mentioned in Buddhist texts as contemporaries of Buddha.)

Derivable forms: ajitakeśakambalaḥ (अजितकेशकम्बलः).

Ajitakeśakambala is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms ajita and keśakambala (केशकम्बल).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

AjitaKeśakambala (अजितकेशकम्बल).—or °lin (= Pali Ajita Kesakam-bala, or °lī, °lin), name of one of the six heretical teachers of Buddha's time (see s.v. Pūraṇa Kāśyapa), named with the others: °laḥ Mahāvyutpatti 3548 (Ajita-keś°, as [compound]; so also Mironov); Divyāvadāna 143.11; Avadāna-śataka i.231.4 (ms. Kesa°); °lasya Mahāvastu i.253.14; °lī, nom. sg. Mahāvastu i.256.20; iii.383.16.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Ajitakeśakambala (अजितकेशकम्बल):—[=a-jita-keśa-kambala] [from a-jita] m. Name of one of the six chief heretical teachers (mentioned in Buddhist texts as contemporaries of Buddha).

[Sanskrit to German]

Ajitakesakambala in German

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

Relevant text

Search found 8 books and stories containing Ajitakesakambala, Ajita-keśakambala, Ajita-kesakambala, Ajita-keshakambala, Ajitakeśa-kambala, Ajitakesa-kambala, Ajitakeśakambala, Ajitakesakambali, Ajitakesha-kambala, Ajitakeshakambala; (plurals include: Ajitakesakambalas, keśakambalas, kesakambalas, keshakambalas, kambalas, Ajitakeśakambalas, Ajitakesakambalis, Ajitakeshakambalas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 1 - Singular Opportunity of Living in an Age when a Buddha appears < [Chapter 2 - Rare Appearance of a Buddha]

Part 2 - The Sandal-Wood Bowl < [Chapter 24 - The Buddha’s Sixth Vassa at Mount Makula]

Part 46 - The Story of Subhadda, the Wandering Ascetic < [Chapter 40 - The Buddha Declared the Seven Factors of Non-Decline for Rulers]

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Chapter XXV - The Buddha’s visit to Veśālī (Vaiśālī) < [Volume I]

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Jataka 150: Sañjīva-jātaka < [Book I - Ekanipāta]

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Chapter 3 - The Disciples

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