Indrasilaguha, Indraśilaguhā, Indrasila-guha: 1 definition

Introduction:

Indrasilaguha means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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.

The Sanskrit term Indraśilaguhā can be transliterated into English as Indrasilaguha or Indrashilaguha, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Indrasilaguha in Mahayana glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Indraśilaguhā (इन्द्रशिलगुहा) is one of the vihāras of Rājagṛha, according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter V. Note: Indrasālaguhā, or more likely, Indraśailaguhā:—The reading, Indrasālaguhā “cave of the Indrasāla tree”, has, as evidence, the Pāli form, Indasālaguhā, the inscription at Bārhut (2nd century B.C.) idasālaguhā, the inscription of Tch’ang a han. On the other hand, the reading Indraśailaguha, “Indra’s rock cave”, is attested by the Sanskrit fragments, by the Chinese transcriptions and translations.

When the Buddha was in this cave, Sakka (Indra) came to ask him a series of questions that are recorded in the Sakkapañhasutta. We have several versions: Sanskrit version in Waldschmidt; Pāli version in Dīgha, II; Chinese translations in Tch’ang a han. The Chinese pilgrims who visited this cave found fragments of the Sakkapañhasutta engraved on the rock: Fa hien. The visit of Indra has been represented on the monuments at Bārhut, at Sāncī; at Bodhgayā; at Gandhāra; at Mathurā.

Mahayana book cover
context information

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.

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