Surabhicandana, Surabhi-candana: 3 definitions
Introduction:
Surabhicandana 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.
Alternative spellings of this word include Surabhichandana.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
Source: Wisdom Library: LokottaravādaSurabhicandana (सुरभिचन्दन) is the name of a Buddha under whom Śākyamuni (or Gautama, ‘the historical Buddha’) acquired merit along the first through nine bhūmis, according to the Mahāvastu. There are in total ten bhūmis representing the ten stages of the Bodhisattva’s path towards enlightenment.
Surabhicandana is but one among the 500 Buddhas enumerated in the Mahāvastu during a conversation between Mahākātyāyana and Mahākāśyapa, both principle disciples of Gautama Buddha. The Mahāvastu is an important text of the Lokottaravāda school of buddhism, dating from the 2nd century BCE.
Source: De Gruyter: A Buddhist Ritual Manual on AgricultureSurabhicandana (सुरभिचन्दन) refers to “(grounded) fragrant sandal” (suitable for an offering ceremony), 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 [as the Bhagavān taught the detailed offering-manual], “[...] Four Nāga kings should be prepared in the middle of the ditch. [...] Retinues of seven should be made for each. They should be three-, two- or five-headed and their bodies should be smeared with various fragrances. Having ground sandal, red sandal, fragrant sandal (surabhicandana), padmaka wood and saffron, it should be scattered along with fumigation. [...]”.
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.
Languages of India and abroad
Sanskrit dictionary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit DictionarySurabhicandana (सुरभिचन्दन).—(? mss. °vandana), name of a former Buddha: Mahāvastu i.140.13 (should the following rājā be com- pounded with this?).
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.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Partial matches: Candana, Surabhi.
Full-text: Surabhi.
Relevant text
Search found 3 books and stories containing Surabhicandana, Surabhi-candana; (plurals include: Surabhicandanas, candanas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
The Mahavastu (great story) (by J. J. Jones)
Chapter XVI - The ninth Bhūmi < [Volume I]
Siddhanta Sangraha of Sri Sailacharya (by E. Sowmya Narayanan)
A History of Indian Philosophy Volume 4 (by Surendranath Dasgupta)
Part 2 - Madhva’s interpretation of Brahma-sūtra I. 1. 1 < [Chapter XXVI - Madhva’s Interpretation of the Brahma-sūtras]