Tambapanni, Tambapaṇṇi, Tambapaṇṇī: 3 definitions

Introduction:

Tambapanni 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.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Tambapanni in Theravada glossary
Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

The name given to that district in Ceylon where Vijaya landed after leaving Supparaka (Mhv.vi.47; Dpv.ix.30). It is said to have been so called because when Vijayas followers, having disembarked from the ship, sat down there, wearied, resting their hands on the ground, they found them coloured by the red dust that lay there. Later on Vijaya founded his capital in Tambapanni, and following that the whole island came to bear the same name (Dpv.vii.38-42). Tambapanni was originally inhabited by Yakkhas, having their capital at Sirisavatthu (q.v.). The Valahassa Jataka (J.ii.129) speaks of a Tambapannisara. According to the Samyutta Commentary (ii.83; but in VbhA.p.444 it is spoken of as tiyojana satika), the Tambapannidipa was one hundred leagues in extent.

Anuradhapura formed the Majjhimadesa in Tambapannidipa, the rest being the Paccantimadesa (AA.i.265).

In Asokas Rock Edicts II. and XIII. Tambapanni is mentioned as one of the Pratyanta desas, together with Coda, Pandya, Satiyaputta, Keralaputta, and the realm of Antiyaka Yonaraja, as an unconquered territory with whose people Asoka was on friendly terms. Vincent Smith (Asoka (3rd edn.), p.163; but see Ind. Antiq., 1919, p.195f ) identifies this, not with Ceylon, but with the river Tamraparni in Tinnevelly.

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An irrigation channel built by Parakkamabahu I. It flowed northwards from the Ambala tank. Cv.lxxix.50.

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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India history and geography

Source: archive.org: Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 1963

Tambapaṇṇi is one of the twenty canal-systems associated with Parakkamasamudda waters that existed in the Polonnaruva (Polonnaruwa) district of Ceylon (Sri Lanka).—The Pūjāvaliya gives the name Mahāsamudra to the Parakkamasamudda at Polonnaruva. The canal system associated with Parakkamasamudda is described and named in the Cūlavamsa as follows:—[...] Tambapaṇṇi canal, which flowed north from Ambālavāpi; [...].

Source: Ancient Buddhist Texts: Geography of Early Buddhism

Tambapaṇṇi (तम्बपण्णि) is the name of a locality as recorded in the Pāli Buddhist texts (detailing the geography of ancient India as it was known in to Early Buddhism).—Tambapaṇṇi is mentioned in Rock Edicts II and XIII of Asoka as one of the Prachaṃta deśas along with Coḍa, Pāṇḍya, Satiyaputta, Keralaputta and the realm of Aṃtiyako Yonarājā with which Asoka was in friendly relations. Dr. Smith, however, identifies the word to mean not Ceylon but the river Tāmraparṇi in Tinnevelay. But the more correct identification is Ceylon which was meant in ancient times as Pārasamudra (Greek: Palaesimunda) as well as Tāmraparṇi (Greek: Taprobane).

India history book cover
context information

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.

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