Kimbila, Kimbilā: 3 definitions

Introduction
In Buddhism
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Introduction:

Kimbila means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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

1. Kimbila: A town on the banks of the Ganges. It was in a veluvana (more probably a niceluvana; the Anguttara Commentary ii.642 explains it as a Mucalindavana) there the Buddha stayed and where the Kimbila and Kimbila Suttas were preached (A.iii.247, etc.; S.iv.181f; v.322).

According to the Anguttara Commentary (AA.ii.642), it was the birthplace of the setthiputta Kimbila (Kimbila 2). The city existed in the time of Kassapa Buddha and was the residence of the woman who later became Kannamundapeti (Pv.12; PvA.151). Among the palaces seen by Nimi when he visited heaven was that of a deva who had been a very pious man of Kimbila (J.vi.121). Another such pious person of the same city was Rohaka with his wife Bhadditthika. Vv.xxii.4; VvA.109.

2. Kimbila, Kimmila, Kimila: A Sakiyan of Kapilavatthu. He was converted with Bhaddiya and four other Sakyan nobles at Anupiya, shortly after the Buddhas visit to Kapilavatthu (Vin.ii.182; DhA.i.112f). The Theragatha Commentary says (ThagA.i.235f; Thag.118, 155f, According to DhA.i.117, Kimbila became an arahant soon after ordination together with Bhagu; see also J.i.140 and AA.i.108) that while at Anupiya the Buddha, in order to arouse Kimbila, conjured up a beautiful woman in her prime and then showed her to him passing into old age. Greatly agitated, Kimbila sought the Buddha, heard the Doctrine and, having entered the Order, in due course won arahantship. Kimbila seems to have maintained throughout his early friendship with Anuruddha, dwelling with him and Nandiya, now in this wood or park, now in that. The Buddha visited them at Pacina vamsadaya when he was going away, disgusted with the recalcitrant monks of Kosambi. (Vin.i.350; J.iii.489; see also Upakkilesa Sutta, M.iii.155ff and ThagA.i.275f). They were in the Gosingasalavana when the Buddha preached to them the Cula Gosinga Sutta, at the conclusion of which, Digha Parajana Yakkha sang the praises of all three (M.i.205ff). Their number was increased by the presence of Bhagu, Kundadhana, Revata and Ananda, on the occasion when the Buddha preached the Nalakapana Sutta in the Palasavana at Nalakapana (M.i.462ff).

In three different places in the Anguttara Nikaya (A.iii.247; 339; iv.84) record is made of a conversation between Kimbila and the Buddha, when Kimbila asks how the Dhamma could be made to endure long after the Buddhas death and what were the causes which might bring about its early disappearance. The conversation took place in the Veluvana (Niceluvana?) in Kimbila. According to the Anguttara Commentary (AA.ii.642), however, it would appear that the Kimbila mentioned here was not Kimbila the Sakyan but another. We are told that this Kimbila was a setthiputta of Kimbila. He joined the Order and acquired the power of knowing his previous births. He recollected how he had been a monk at the time when Kassapa Buddhas religion was falling into decay, and seeing how the Faith was neglected by its followers, he made a stairway up a cliff and lived there as a recluse. It was this memory of his previous life which prompted Kimbilas question.

Elsewhere (S.v.322f ) the Buddha is reported as questioning Kimbila at the same spot on the question of breathing. Kimbila remains silent though the question is put three times. Ananda intervenes and suggests that the Buddha should himself furnish the answer so that the monks may learn it and profit thereby.

In the time of Kakusandha Buddha, Kimbila had been a householder; after the Buddhas death he erected a pavilion of salala garlands round his cetiya (ThagA.i.235).

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).

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Kimbila (किम्बिल) is one of Buddha’s disciples, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 36.—Accordingly, “one day the Buddha, apeaking to Tch’ang (Dīrgha), the general of the Yakṣas (yakṣasnānī), praised the three good disciples A-ni-lou-t’o (Aniruddha), Nan-t’i-kia (Nandika) and Tch’e-mi-lo (Kimbila). The Buddha said to Dīrgha: ‘If the entire world with its gods and men thinks about these three sons of noble family with faith, it will obtain immense benefits during the long night (dīrgharātra)’”.

context information

Mahayana (महायान, mahāyāna) is a major branch of Buddhism focusing on the path of a Bodhisattva (spiritual aspirants/ enlightened beings). Extant literature is vast and primarely composed in the Sanskrit language. There are many sūtras of which some of the earliest are the various Prajñāpāramitā sūtras.

General definition (in Buddhism)

Source: archive.org: Personal and geographical names in the Gupta inscriptions (buddhism)

Kimbilā (किम्बिला) or Kimbila is another name for Kṛmilā according to G. P. Malālasekera (Dictionary of Pali Proper Names vol I, pp. 604). Kimbilā also stands for the name of an inhabitant of its city. Two Suttas, the Kimilāsutta and Kimilasutta, were preached by the Buddha when he was camping at the city of Kimilā (Kṛmilā) said to have been situated on the bank of the Gaṅgā. The river is now at a short distance from the villages of Valgūdar and Rajauna, on the site of which the ancient city stood.

Relevant text

Search found 11 books and stories containing Kimbila, Kimbilā; (plurals include: Kimbilas, Kimbilās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

On going to Pācīnavaṃsadāya < [10. The monks from Kosambī (Kosambaka)]

On going to Pārileyyaka < [10. The monks from Kosambī (Kosambaka)]

First recitation section < [17. Schism in an Order (Saṅghabheda)]

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The Gośṛṅgasūtra < [III. Recollection of the community (saṃgānusmṛti)]

Introduction to third volume < [Introductions]

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Chapter 10 - Right Effort Of The Eightfold Path < [Part II - The Particulars (pakinnaka)]

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Varga 21. Escaping the Drunken Elephant and Devadatta < [Kiouen IV]

Varga 19. Interview Between Father and Son < [Kiouen IV]

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