Nagadipa, Nāgadīpa, Nāgadipa: 1 definition

Introduction:

Nagadipa 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

A province of Ceylon, identified with the modern Jaffna peninsula and the north west of Ceylon.

The Buddhas second visit to Ceylon was to Nagadipa, to settle a dispute between two Nagas, Mahodara and Culodara (Mhv.i.47).

Jambukola (q.v.) was a harbour in Nagadipa, and there a vihara was built by Devanampiyatissa (Ibid., xx.25) and later restored by Kanitthatissa (Ibid., xxxvi.9). This vihara was probably called Tissa vihara (See ibid.,36).

Another vihara, called Salipabbata, was built by Mahallaka Naga (Ibid.,xxxv.124). The Unnalomaghara, the Rajayatana dhatucetiya and the Amalacetiya were probably all places of worship in Nagadipa (Cv.xlii.62).

The Valahassa Jataka (J.ii.128) says that the coast of Ceylon, from the river Kalyani to Nagadipa, was once infested by yakkhinis. Once (J.iii.187) Nagadipa was known as Serumadipa, and near by was Karadipa, earlier known as Ahidipa (J.iv.238).

An old story, given in the Commentaries (E.g., VibhA.444), speaks of a king called Diparaga, who reigned over Nagadipa in great splendour. Nagadipa was once an important centre of Buddhism in Ceylon (E.g., ibid., 446, 467; AA.i.422. MA.i.545; see also J.R.A.S., vol. xxvi) and contained many places of pilgrimage. There is a legend (DA.iii.899; VibhA.433) which relates that, when the Buddhas sasana comes to an end, all the Buddhas relics in Ceylon will gather together at the Mahacetiya and travel to the Rajayatanacetiya in Nagadipa, and then from there to the Mahabodhi tree at Gaya.

According to the Rasavahini (ii.19) the place was so called because it was given as gift to the woman named Naga. See Naga (7).

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).

Discover the meaning of nagadipa in the context of Theravada from relevant books on Exotic India

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: