Kapilavatthu: 3 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
1. Theravada
India history
Languages
1. Pali
See also

Introduction:

Kapilavatthu means something in Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India. 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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A city near the Himalaya, capital of the Sakiyans (q.v.). It was founded by the sons of Okkaka, on the site of the hermitage of the sage Kapila - see Kapila (3) (J.i.15, 49, 50, 54, 64, etc.; see also Divy 548, and Buddhacarita I.v.2). Near the city was the Lumbinivana (q.v.) where the Buddha was born, and which became one of the four places of pilgrimage for the Buddhists. Close to Kapilavatthu flowed the river Rohini, which formed the boundary between the kingdoms of the Sakyans and the Koliyans (DhA.iii.254). In the sixth century B.C. Kapilavatthu was the centre of a republic, at the head of which was Suddhodana. The administration and judicial business of the city and all other matters of importance were discussed and decided in the Santhagarasala (D.i.91; J.iv.145). It was here that Vidudabha was received by the Sakyans (J.iv.146f). The walls of the city were eighteen cubits high (J.i.63; according to Mtu.ii.75 it had seven walls). From Kapilavatthu to the river Anoma, along the road taken by Gotama, when he left his home, was a distance of thirty yojanas (J.i.64). The city was sixty leagues from Rajagaha, and the Buddha took two months covering this distance when he visited his ancestral home, in the first year after his Enlightenment. On this journey the Buddha was accompanied by twenty thousand monks, and Kaludayi went on ahead as harbinger. The Buddha and his company lived in the Nigrodharama near the city and, in the midst of his kinsmen, as he did at the foot of the Gandamba, the Buddha performed the Yamakapatihariya to convince them of his powers. (J.i.87ff; this journey to Kapilavatthu was one of the scenes depicted in the relic chamber of the Maha Thupa, Mhv.xxx.81).

On this occasion he preached the Vessantara Jataka. The next day the Buddha went begging in the city to the great horror of his father, who, on being explained that such was the custom of all Buddhas, became a sotapanna and invited the Buddha and his monks to the palace. After the meal the Buddha preached to the women of the palace who, with the exception of Rahulamata, had all come to hear him. At the end of the sermon, Suddhodana became a sakadagami and Maha Pajapati a sotapanna. The Buddha visited Rahulamata in her dwelling and preached to her the Candakinnara Jataka. The next day Nanda was ordained, and seven days later Rahula (also Vin.i.82). As a result of the latters ordination, a rule was passed by the Buddha, at Suddhodanas request, that no one should be ordained without the sanction of his parents, if they were alive. On the eighth day was preached the Mahadhammapala Jataka, and the king became an anagami. The Buddha returned soon after to Rajagaha, stopping on the way at Anupiya, where the conversions of Ananda, Devadatta, Bhagu, Anuruddha, and Kimbila took place.

During the visit to Kapilavatthu,

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).

India history and geography

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Kapilavatthu (कपिलवत्थु) is the name of an ancient locality situated in Majjhimadesa (Middle Country) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—Kapilavatthu the capital of the Śākya country, named after the Ṛṣi Kapila. The Lalitavistara calls [Kapilavatthu as] Kapilavastu and sometimes Kapilapura or Kapilāhvayapura. These names occur also in the Mahāvastu. The Divyāvadāna also connects Kapilavastu with the sage Kapila. The Buddhacarita also mentions [Kapilavatthu] as Kaplasya vastu. The Mahāvastu says that Kapilavastu was surrounded by seven walls.

Kapilavatthu is referred to in both the Ceylonese chronicles, the Dīpavaṃsa and the Mahāvaṃsa. Yuan Chwang visited Kapilavastu, the towns of Krakucandra and Konāgamana and Lumbini or La-fa-ni grove, the birth place of Lord Buddha. Mr. P. O. Mukherjee concurs with Dr. Rhys Davids and identifies Kapilavatthu with Tilaura, 2 miles north of Tauliva which is the headquarters of the provincial government of the Tarai, and 3½ miles to the south-west of the Nepalese village of Nigliva, north of Gorakhpur, situated in the Nepalese Tarai. Rumminedeī is only 10 miles to the east of Kapilavatthu, and 2 miles north of Bhagavanpur.

context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

kapilavatthu : (nt.) the city where Prince Siddhartha was born.

context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

Relevant text

Search found 30 books and stories containing Kapilavatthu; (plurals include: Kapilavatthus). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

Part 3 - King Suddhodāna’s invitation < [Chapter 16 - The arrival of Upatissa and Kolita]

Biography (32): Kāḷudāyī Mahāthera < [Chapter 43 - Forty-one Arahat-Mahatheras and their Respective Etadagga titles]

Part 4 - Queen Mahā-Māyā’s Journey from Kapilavatthu to Devadaha < [Chapter 1 - The Story of Sataketu Deva, The Future Buddha]

+ 53 more chapters / show preview

The Sakyans

Ananda

The Order Of Monks And Nuns

+ 3 more chapters / show preview

The story of Rāhula < [1. Going forth (Pabbajjā)]

First recitation section < [20. Nuns (Bhikkhunī)]

Third recitation section < [20. Nuns (Bhikkhunī)]

+ 1 more chapters / show preview