Seven Buddhas: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Seven Buddhas means something in Buddhism, Pali, the history of ancient India. 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.
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In Buddhism
General definition (in Buddhism)
Seven Buddhas:—A technical term in Buddhism corresponding to the Sanskrit saptatathāgata defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 6):
- Vipaśyī,
- Śikhī,
- Viśvabhū,
- Krakucchanda,
- Kanakamuni,
- Kāśyapa,
- Śākyamuni.
The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., saptatathāgata, ‘seven Buddhas’). The work is attributed to Nagarguna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.
According to Buddhist tradition, each kalpa has 1,000 Buddhas. The previous kalpa was the vyuhakalpa (Glorious aeon), and the present kalpa is called the bhadrakalpa (Auspicious aeon). The Seven Buddhas of Antiquity (Saptatathāgata) are seven Buddhas which bridge the vyuhakalpa and the bhadrakalpa:
- Vipassī (the 998th Buddha of the vyuhakalpa)
- Sikhī (the 999th Buddha of the vyuhakalpa)
- Vessabhū (the 1000th and final Buddha of the vyuhakalpa)
- Kakusandha (the first Buddha of the bhadrakalpa)
- Koṇāgamana (the second Buddha of the bhadrakalpa)
- Kassapa (the third Buddha of the bhadrakalpa)
- Gautama (the fourth and present Buddha of the bhadrakalpa)
Following the Seven Buddhas of Antiquity will be Maitreya, the fifth and future Buddha of the bhadrakalpa.
India history and geography
The concept of the Seven Buddhas (Saptatathagata) according to the Svayambhu Purana:
- Vipassi,
- Sikhi,
- Vishwabhu,
- Krakuchanda,
- Kanakmuni,
- Kashyapa and
- Shakyamuni.
The primordial Buddha or the Svayambhu (the self sprouted) is highly venerated in the Buddhist society of Nepal. Nepalese Buddhists not only venerate the Seven Buddhas, but also the text of the Svayambhu Purana itself. The names of the Seven Buddhas mentioned in the Purana are identical to the names mentioned in the Buddhavamsha . The existence of some of the seven Buddhas has been archaeologically proved. Huen-Tsang, a famous Chinese traveller also saw Chaityas erected in the memory of Kashyapa, Kanakmuni and Kakruchhanda Buddha. His account obviously proved the existence of the Buddhas in different epochs before that of the historical Buddha. The account is not myth but the historical fact. The Ashokan pillar of Lumbini also mentions the Kanakmuni and Kakruchhanda Buddhas. It proves the existence of the Buddhas in different epochs before the historical Buddha.
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches (+0): Seven, Buddha.
Full-text (+116): Qi fu jing, Vishvabhu, Kashyapa, Qi fu ba pu sa suo shuo da tuo luo ni shen zhou jing, Sakyamuni, Guo qu qi fu, Krakucchanda, Kanakamuni, Tong jie, Qi fu, Qi fu ba pu sa, Shikhin, Qi fu yao shi fa, Di qi xian, Qi fu fu mu xing zi jing, Vipashyin, Qi fu tong jie ji, Vipassi, Qua khu that phat, Shou chi qi fu ming hao suo sheng gong de jing.
Relevant text
Search found 22 books and stories containing Seven Buddhas; (plurals include: Seven Buddhases). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Buddhist Medical Demonology in The Sūtra of the Seven Buddhas < [Volume 10, Issue 4 (2019)]
The Chinshō Yasha-hō 鎮將夜叉法 and... < [Volume 14, Issue 8 (2023)]
How to Protect One’s Home in Medieval China? A Study of the... < [Volume 14, Issue 3 (2023)]
Jataka tales [English], Volume 1-6 (by Robert Chalmers)
Jataka 203: Khandha-Vatta-jātaka < [Book II - Dukanipāta]
Taisho: Chinese Buddhist Canon
Sutta 4: The Names and Accounts of the Seven Buddhas < [Part 125 - Ekottara-Agama (Numbered Discourses)]
Sutta 5: The Buddha's Visit to Trayastrimsha Heaven and the Subjugation of the Dragon Kings < [Part 125 - Ekottara-Agama (Numbered Discourses)]
Sutta 9: The Passing of Sariputta and Moggallana < [Part 125 - Ekottara-Agama (Numbered Discourses)]
Buddhist records of the Western world (Xuanzang) (by Samuel Beal)
Chapter 5 - Country of Mo-la-p’o (Malava) < [Book XI - Twenty-three Countries]
Guide to Tipitaka (by U Ko Lay)
(b) Maha Vagga Pali < [Chapter IV - Suttanta Pitaka]
Kailash: Journal of Himalayan Studies
Part 5 - Guide to Vipashvi’s Stupa < [A Buddhist Guide to the Power Places of the Kathmandu Valley]
Place of the Pilgrimage in Thag (Thakkhola) < [Volume 7, Number 2 (1979)]