Alasanda, Alasandā: 2 definitions
Introduction:
Alasanda 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 NamesA city in the land of the Yonas. There was a large Buddhist community there and it is said, in the Mahavamsa (xxix.40), that on the occasion of the foundation of the Maha Thupa by Dutthagamani, the thera Yonaka Maha Dhammarakkhita came to Anuradhapura from Alasanda with 30,000 monks.
In the Milindapanha (p.327) Alasanda is mentioned in a list of places, among which are China, Benares and Gandhara.
Elsewhere in the same book (82,83), King Milinda is mentioned as saying that he was born in a village named Kalasi in Alasanda, but he speaks of Alasanda as an island. It was about two hundred leagues from Sagala.
It is generally accepted (E.g., in Questions of King Milinda, i., p.xxiii, see also CHI., p.550) that Alasanda was the name of an island in the Indus in the territory of Baktria. Geiger (Mhv.trs.194, n.3) thinks that it is probably to be identified with the town founded by the Macedonian king in the country of Paropanisadae near Kabul.
In the Apadana (i.359) the Alasandaka are mentioned in a list of tribes.
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 BuddhismAlasanda (अलसन्द) is the name of a locality situated in Uttarāpatha (Northern District) of ancient India, as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—The Mahāvaṃsa refers to the town of Alasanda which was the chief city of the Yona territory. Geiger identifies Alasanda with the town of Alexandria founded by Alexander near Kabul in the Paropanisadae country. In the Milindapañho, however, Alasanda has been described as an island where in the village of Kalasigāma King Milinda was born.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Alasandalu.
Ends with: Kamalashanda, Talasanda.
Full-text: Kalasigama, Yona, Milinda, Mahadhammarakkhita, Yonaka, Mahathupa.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Alasanda, Alasandā; (plurals include: Alasandas, Alasandās). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Appendix 2 - Ahicchatra (capital of northern Pañcala, present Ramnagar) < [Chapter V - Rājagṛha]
Bhagavad-gita-rahasya (or Karma-yoga Shastra) (by Bhalchandra Sitaram Sukthankar)
Mahavamsa (by Wilhelm Geiger)
The Great Buddhist Emperors of Asia (by Shibani Dutta)