Caturdvipa, Caturdvīpa, Catur-dvipa: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Caturdvipa means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit. 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Chaturdvipa.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraCaturdvīpa (चतुर्द्वीप) (Cf. Caturdvīpaka) refers to the “four continents”, according Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XV).—At dawn (sūryodaya), the Buddha, who knew Ānanda’s thoughts, entered into the Daybreak samādhi (sūryodayasamādhi); then he emitted rays (raśmi) from all the pores of his skin (romakūpa). Like the sun, he emitted rays the brilliance of which spread successively over Jambudvīpa, the four continents (caturdvīpaka), the Trisāhasramahāsāhasralokadhātu and finally over all the innumerable universes of the ten directions (daśadiglokadhātu).
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: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgrahaCaturdvīpa (चतुर्द्वीप) or simply Dvīpa refers to the “four continents” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 120):
- Pūrvavideha in the east,
- Jambudvīpa in the centre,
- Aparagodānī in the west,
- Uttarakurudvīpa in the north.
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., catur-dvīpa). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryCāturdvīpa (चातुर्द्वीप).—also semi-MIndic cātudvīpa (1) adj. (= Pali cātuddīpa; from catur-dvīpa plus -a), (ruler) of the earth consisting of four continents, epithet of a cakravartin: Mahāvastu i.49.2; 52.8; 108.7; 114.13; 193.14; 220.2 = ii.22.3; ii.158.14; iii.102.15; epithet of rājya, rulership: Mahāvastu i.95.2, 4; (2) adj. and subst., consisting of the four continents, epithet of the earth: °pāṃ mahīṃ Mahāvastu i.208.4 (corrupt in mss.) = ii.12.13; as subst., gender uncertain (f. would be expected, recorded forms ambiguous): daśacātudvīpanayutānāṃ… madhyama cātudvīpa, the midmost world of ten nayutas of worlds, Gaṇḍavyūha 254.6—7 (verses; final short a perhaps m.c. for ā ?); cāturdvīpeśvaro, lord of the whole world, Daśabhūmikasūtra.g. 53(79).2 (as subst., without other noun; compare caturdvī°).
Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Dvipa, Catur.
Starts with: Caturdvipacakravartin, Caturdvipaka, Caturdvipakacakravartin.
Full-text: Caturdvipeshvara, Catudvipa, Caturdvipacakravartin, Dvipa, Caturdvipaka, Vijitavin, Cakravartin.
Relevant text
Search found 4 books and stories containing Caturdvipa, Caturdvīpa, Catur-dvipa, Catur-dvīpa, Cāturdvīpa; (plurals include: Caturdvipas, Caturdvīpas, dvipas, dvīpas, Cāturdvīpas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Historical Elements in the Matsya Purana (by Chaitali Kadia)
The concept of Saptadvīpa (seven islands) < [Chapter 4 - Geographical history in the Matsya-Purāṇa]
Position of Purāṇas in the Sanskrit Literature < [Chapter 1 - An Introduction of the Purāṇas]
The Matsya Purana (critical study) (by Kushal Kalita)
Part 1 - Bhūvanakoṣa: Geography of Seven Continents (saptadvīpā) < [Chapter 8 - Geographical data in the Matsyapurāṇa]
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
III. Similarities and differences between powers and fearlessnesses < [Part 1 - The four fearlessnesses of the Buddha according to the Abhidharma]
Act 10.8: The Sahā universe transforms into jewels < [Chapter XV - The Arrival of the Bodhisattvas of the Ten Directions]
VI. Literal commentary on the Vaiśāradyasūtra < [Part 1 - The four fearlessnesses of the Buddha according to the Abhidharma]
A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)