Kaludayi, Kāḷudāyi, Kāḷudāyī: 1 definition

Introduction:

Kaludayi 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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

Son of one of Suddhodanas ministers at Kapilavatthu; he was born on the same day as the Buddha and grew up as his playfellow. After Gotama left the world, Suddhodana made Kaludayi one of his most trusted counsellors. When the king heard of his sons Enlightenment he sent several of his ministers with large retinues to bring the Buddha to Kapilavatthu, but they all became arahants as soon as they heard the Buddhas preaching and then forgot their mission. In the end the king sent Kaludayi, on the understanding that he should first be allowed to join the Order. (According to Mtu.iii.233, he was accompanied by Channa in this mission). He went to the Buddha and, having listened to him, himself became an arahant. When the rains fell, covering the earth with the glory of leaves and flowers, Kaludayi felt that it was time for the Buddha to visit his kinsmen, and gave him their invitation, singing the seasons beauties in a series of verses. The Buddha took sixty days in covering the sixty leagues from Rajagaha to Kapilavatthu, and each day Kaludayi went by air to the kings palace to tell him of the progress made in the journey and to bring back to the Buddha from the palace a bowl full of excellent food. By the time the Buddha reached his home his kinsmen were already full of faith in him. Because Kaludayi accomplished this feat, he was declared pre eminent among those who gladdened the clans (kulappasadakanam aggo) (A.i.25; Thag.527-36; J.i.54, 86f; AA.i.107, 117; ThagA.i.497ff; UdA.168; DA.ii.425).

It is said that he was called Udayi because he was born on a day on which the citizens were full of joy (udaggacittadivase jatatta); and called Kala because of his slightly dark colour. AA.i.167; ThagA.i.498.

According to the Apadana (ii.500f; see also Ap.i.86f, where another set of verses is attributed to Kaludayi), Kaludayi had been the son of a minister of Hamsavati during the time of Padumuttara Buddha, and having heard the Buddha utter the praises of a monk skilled in converting families, had wished for the same eminence.

The Anguttara Nikaya (A.iv.449f) records a conversation between Udayi (who, according to Buddhaghosa (AA.ii.815), is to be identified with Kaludayi) and Ananda. Udayi asks Ananda to explain in detail a question which is recorded in the Samyutta Nikaya (S.i.48) as having been asked of the Buddha by Pancalacanda devaputta (see Pancala Sutta).

The Dhammapada Commentary (iv.143) refers to an assembly at which Kaludayi was present, his body of golden hue, sitting near Pasenadi, at sunset, with the moon rising in the eastern sky. Ananda looks at them and declares how the Buddha suffuses them all with his glory.

Kaludayi is identified with Sakka in the Bhisa Jataka (J.iv.314).

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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