Pradakshini, Pradakṣiṇī: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Pradakshini 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.

The Sanskrit term Pradakṣiṇī can be transliterated into English as Pradaksini or Pradakshini, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Pradakshini in Mahayana glossary
Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Pradakṣiṇī (प्रदक्षिणी) refers to “circumambulation”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “At that time, the Brahmā Prabhāvyūha, being surrounded (parivṛta) and followed by sixty-eight hundred thousand Brahmās, teleported from the world of Brahmā (brahmaloka) to the presence of the Lord, bowed down at his feet, circumambulated him three times (tri-pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya), and sat down on a side. [...]”.

Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on Agriculture

Pradakṣiṇī (प्रदक्षिणी) or Pradakṣiṇīkṛtya refers to “having circumambulated someone (three times)”, according to the Vajratuṇḍasamayakalparāja, an ancient Buddhist ritual manual on agriculture from the 5th-century (or earlier), containing various instructions for the Sangha to provide agriculture-related services to laypeople including rain-making, weather control and crop protection.—Accordingly, [after the Bhagavān entered the assembly of Nāgas], “Then the great Nāga king Samantākāracchatrākaraparikara arose from his seat, arranged his outer robe on one shoulder, placed his right knee on the ground, approached the Bhagavān and, having bowed down at his feet, circumambulated him three times (tri-pradakṣiṇīkṛtya), and worshipped the Bhagavān with different flowers, fragrances, garlands, ointments, ornaments and cloths. Having worshipped him, he sat down in front of him”.

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.

Discover the meaning of pradakshini or pradaksini in the context of Mahayana from relevant books on Exotic India

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Pradakshini in Sanskrit glossary

[Sanskrit to German]

Pradakshini in German

context information

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.

Discover the meaning of pradakshini or pradaksini in the context of Sanskrit from relevant books on Exotic India

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