Shukladanta, Śukladanta, Shukla-danta: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Shukladanta means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Śukladanta can be transliterated into English as Sukladanta or Shukladanta, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Śukladanta (शुक्लदन्त) refers to “(the marks consisting of having) white teeth”, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter 19).—Accordingly, “Furthermore, some say that generosity is the cause and condition (hetupratyaya) for obtaining the thirty-two marks. Why is that? [...] When one gives, one honors the recipient and, as the mind is pure (viśuddha), one obtains the marks consisting of having white teeth (śukladanta) set very close together (aviraladanta). [...]”.

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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In Jainism

General definition (in Jainism)

[«previous next»] — Shukladanta in Jainism glossary
Source: archive.org: Trisastisalakapurusacaritra

Śukladanta (शुक्लदन्त) is the name of an ancient Vidyādhara-king from Śulkapura, according to chapter 5.3 [śāntinātha-caritra] of Hemacandra’s 11th century Triṣaṣṭiśalākāpuruṣacaritra: an ancient Sanskrit epic poem narrating the history and legends of sixty-three illustrious persons in Jainism.

Accordingly, as one Vidyādhara said to king Vajrāyudha:—“[...] There is a mountain Vaitāḍhya in the province Sukaccha, the ornament of Videhakṣetra in this same Jambūdvīpa. On top of the mountain [i.e., Vaitāḍhya] is situated a city as crest-jewel of the row of cities, Śulkapura, like a tax on the wealth of the heavens. There lived a Vidyādhara-king Śukladanta, and his wife, Yaśodharā, maintaining the glory of two families. I am their son, Pavanavega, and I attained youth and acquired the collection of arts gradually. [...]”.

General definition book cover
context information

Jainism is an Indian religion of Dharma whose doctrine revolves around harmlessness (ahimsa) towards every living being. The two major branches (Digambara and Svetambara) of Jainism stimulate self-control (or, shramana, ‘self-reliance’) and spiritual development through a path of peace for the soul to progess to the ultimate goal.

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