Significance of Candakali

Candakali, in the context of Theravada, is described as a nun who displayed anger and dissatisfaction, rejecting fundamental aspects of Buddhist teachings, including the enlightened one and the monastic Order. She is also characterized as a figure who incited conflict, causing strife, quarrels, and disputes within the Order, highlighting her contentious nature and the challenges she posed to the community.

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Buddhist concept of 'Candakali'

Buddhism Books

Candakali in Buddhism can be interpreted as a disruptive nun, known for inciting conflicts within the Order and rejecting core teachings of the Buddha, embodying the challenges of maintaining harmony and adherence to Buddhist principles.

Significance in Theravada (major branch of Buddhism):
Theravada Books

(1) A nun who expressed anger and displeasure and repudiated foundational elements of the teachings, including the enlightened one and the Order.[1] (2) A nun known for making strife, quarrels, contention, brawls, and disputes in the Order.[2]

Theravada 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).