In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The daughter of a Kosiyagotta Brahmin of Sagala, in the Madda country.

Ap.ii.583 (vs. 57) says that her mother was Sucimati and her father Kapila, whence, probably, her title of Kapilani. When the messengers sent by the parents of Pipphali manava (Maha Kassapa) were wandering about seeking for a wife for him to resemble the image they carried with them, they discovered Bhadda and informed Pipphalis parents. The parents arranged the marriage without the knowledge of the young people and Bhadda went to Pipphalis house. There they lived together, but, by mutual consent, the marriage was never consummated. It was said that, she brought with her, on the day of her marriage, fifty thousand cartloads of wealth. When Pipphali desired to leave the world, making over to her his wealth, she wished to renounce it likewise, and together they left the house in the guise of recluses, their hair shorn, unobserved by any. In the village, however, they were recognized by their gait, and the people fell down at their feet. They granted freedom to all their slaves, and set forth, Pipphali leading and Bhadda following close behind. On coming to a fork in the road, they agreed that he should take the right and she the left. In due course she came to the Titthiyarama (near Jetavana), where she dwelt for five years, women not having yet been admitted to the Buddhas Order. Later, when Pajapati Gotami had obtained the necessary leave, Bhadda joined her and received ordination, attaining arahantship not long after. Later in the assembly, the Buddha declared her foremost of nuns who could recall former lives.

In the time of Padumuttara Buddha she was the wife of Videha, a setthi of Hamsavati, and having heard a nun proclaimed in the first rank of those who could recall former lives, she resolved to acquire a similar rank, while her husband (Maha Kassapa in this life) resolved to be chief among those who practise austere vows (dhutavadinam). Together they did many good deeds and were reborn in heaven.

In the time of Vipassi Buddha, the husband was the brahmin Ekasataka and she was his wife. In his next birth he was king of Benares and she his chief queen. Together they entertained eight Pacceka Buddhas on a very lavish scale. In the interval between the appearance in the world of Konagamana and Kassapa Buddha, the husband was a clansman and she his wife. One day a quarrel arose between her and her sister in law. The latter gave alms to a Pacceka Buddha and Bhadda, thinking She will win glory for this, took the bowl from her hand and filled it with mud. But later she was filled with remorse, took back the bowl, emptied it, scrubbed it with scented powder and, having filled it with the four sweet foods, sprinkled over the top ghee of the colour of a lotus calyx. Handing it back to the Pacceka Buddha,

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).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Kapilani, Theri, Bhadda, Teri.

Relevant text

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