Dhanapalaka, Dhanapālaka: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Dhanapalaka 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.
In Buddhism
Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper NamesA householder of Dhananjaya, who was converted by Sikhi Buddha. BuA.202.
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).
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita SastraDhanapālaka (धनपालक) or Dhanapāla is the name of an elephant, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter XLII.—Accordingly, “A-chö-che (Ajātaśatru) unleashed drunken elephants intending to kill the Buddha, but the latter was not afraid and tamed the mad elephants. When the inhabitants of Rājagṛha, redoubling their respect (gurukāra), came out with perfumed flowers and ornaments (ābharaṇa) to offer to the Buddha, the latter experienced no joy”.
Notes: A brief allusion to the miracle of the subjugation of the elephant Nālāgiri or Dhanapāla [Dhanapālaka]. The stories of this miracle can be arranged into three groups: 1) the sources that present it as a miracle of loving-kindness; 2) those that make it into a miracle of magic; 3) the late versions, somewhat aberrant, where the meaning of the miracle does not appear clearly.
According to the Mūlasarvāstivādin Vinaya: The episode of Dhanapālaka in its original text appears in the manuscript of the Saṅghabhedavastu. At the invitation of a wealthy householder, the Buddha accompanied by five hundred monks went to Rājagṛha. He was challenged from the heights of the ramparts by Ajātaśatru and Devadatta who had plotted his death. The Teacher announced to them that he was going to manifest his marvelous power. When the elephant Dhanapālaka rushed against him, the Blessed One on the palm of his right hand created by magic five maned lions with ribbons on their heads; having smelled their scent, the elephant began to flee, releasing urine and excrement. [...]
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionaryDhaṇapālaka (धणपालक).—see Dhana°.
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Dhanapālaka (धनपालक).—(= Pali id.), = prec.: Avadāna-śataka i.177.6 (here ed. with best ms. Dhaṇa°, but v.l. Dhana° as in Pali).
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)
Ends with: Bandhanapalaka.
Full-text: Dhanapala, Dhananjaya, Nalagiri.
Relevant text
Search found 8 books and stories containing Dhanapalaka, Dhanapālaka, Dhaṇapālaka; (plurals include: Dhanapalakas, Dhanapālakas, Dhaṇapālakas). 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 4 - Buddha’s subjugation of the elephant Nālāgiri (or Dhanapāla) < [Chapter XLII - The Great Loving-kindness and the Great Compassion of the Buddhas]
Part 9 - Why is the Buddha called Puruṣadamyasārathi (puruṣa-damya-sārathi) < [Chapter IV - Explanation of the Word Bhagavat]
Dhammapada (Illustrated) (by Ven. Weagoda Sarada Maha Thero)
Verse 324 - The Story of an Old Brāhmin < [Chapter 23 - Nāga Vagga (The Great)]
The Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 222: Cūla-Nandiya-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]
Jataka 533: Cullahaṃsa-jātaka < [Volume 5]
The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)
Buddha Chronicle 20: Sikhī Buddhavaṃsa < [Chapter 9 - The chronicle of twenty-four Buddhas]
Buddhacarita (by Charles Willemen)
Chapter XXI - Subduing the Maddened Elephant Dhanapālaka < [Fascicle Four]
Mahavamsa (by Wilhelm Geiger)