Damila, Damiḷa: 4 definitions

Introduction:

Damila means something in Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India, Jainism, Prakrit. 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

The name of a people (Tamils) whose home was in South India. The Ceylon Chronicles (Mhv., Cv., and Dpv., passim) contain records of invasions of Ceylon by the Damilas, the most noteworthy being that which was repelled by Dutthagamani. The Damila leader on that occasion was Elara. Other Damilas mentioned by name in the Mahavamsa are Sena, Gutta, Pulahattha, Vatuka and Niliya. Large numbers of Damilas settled in Ceylon, chiefly in the north and east of the Island and, in due course, gained possession of that part of the country. They were employed as mercenary soldiers by some of the Sinhalese kings and many were brought as captives (E.g., Cv.lxx.230; lxxv.20, 69; lxxviii.76, etc.). The Damila bhasa is mentioned among the eighteen non Aryan languages (E.g., VibhA.388; it was full of consonants, AA.i.409). In the Akitti Jataka (J.iv.238) the Damilarattha is spoken of as including also the region round Kavirapattana, while in the Petavatthu Commentary (p.133) it is spoken of as part of Dakkhinapatha.

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).

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India history and geography

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Damiḷa (दमिऌअ) is the name of an ancient kingdom situated in Dakkhiṇāpatha (Deccan) or “southern 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).—In the Akitti Jātaka (Jāt., IV, 238) as well as in the Ceylonese chronicles, Dīpavaṃsa and the Mahāvaṃsa, mention is made of the Damiḷaraṭṭha or the kingdom of the Damiḷas. The Damiḷas are, however, identified with the Tamils. Kāviripaṭṭana was a sea-port town in the Damiḷa kingdom which is generally identified either with the Malabar coast or Northern Ceylon.

India history book cover
context information

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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

damiḷa : (adj.) Tamil.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

Damila (दमिल) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Draviḍa.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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