Triskandha, Tri-skandha: 7 definitions

Introduction:

Triskandha 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.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

[«previous next»] — Triskandha in Ayurveda glossary
Source: gurumukhi.ru: Ayurveda glossary of terms

Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध):—[triskandhaḥ] The three modes of description namely etiology, symptomatology and the knowledge of therapeutics through which entire ayurveda is described also known as three sutra

Ayurveda book cover
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Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)

[«previous next»] — Triskandha in Jyotisha glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Brihat Samhita by Varahamihira

Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध) [=Skandhatraya?] means “three sections”, according to the Bṛhatsaṃhitā (chapter 1), an encyclopedic Sanskrit work written by Varāhamihira mainly focusing on the science of ancient Indian astronomy astronomy (Jyotiṣa).—Accordingly, “[...] Enough of this (subject of Cosmogony) on account of its vastness. If these questions were discussed, it would swell very much in length. The subject I have now to treat of is the Aṅgaviniścaya (Saṃhitā) section of Jyotiṣaśāstra. Jyotiṣa-Śāstra treats of many different subjects and consists of three sections [i.e., skandhatraya]. The sages call the whole by the general name of Saṃhitā. This section which treats of the motions of the planets is called the Tantrā-śāstra (Saṃhitā or natural astrology). [...]”.

Jyotisha book cover
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Jyotisha (ज्योतिष, jyotiṣa or jyotish) refers to ‘astronomy’ or “Vedic astrology” and represents the fifth of the six Vedangas (additional sciences to be studied along with the Vedas). Jyotisha concerns itself with the study and prediction of the movements of celestial bodies, in order to calculate the auspicious time for rituals and ceremonies.

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Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)

[«previous next»] — Triskandha in Shaktism glossary
Source: Google Books: Manthanabhairavatantram

Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध) refers to “three parts”, according to the Jayadrathayāmala verse 3.11.40.—Accordingly, “The Kālī of menses who resounds in the abode of the triangle with three parts [i.e., triskandha] which is (always) in menses in the three times is Nityaklinnā who makes the beautiful sound (of consciousness)”.

Shaktism book cover
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Shakta (शाक्त, śākta) or Shaktism (śāktism) represents a tradition of Hinduism where the Goddess (Devi) is revered and worshipped. Shakta literature includes a range of scriptures, including various Agamas and Tantras, although its roots may be traced back to the Vedas.

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In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

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

Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध) refers to “threefold practice” according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 13. The Bodhisattvas regularly accomplish a threefold practice (triskandha) three times during the day and three times during the night. By accomplishing this threefold practice, the Bodhisattvas gain immense merit and approach Buddhahood. This is why they must invite the Buddhas.

The Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra also mentions this threefold practice and, according to the explanations it gives here, it appears that the Triskandha consists of the following practices: i) Confession of sins. ii) Commemoration, rejoicing and exhortation of the Buddhas.iii) Invitation to the Buddhas to preach the Dharma and prayer to the Buddhas to delay their entry into nirvāṇa. (also see Appendix 4)

Śāntideva recommends these spiritual exercises mainly in his Bodhicaryāvatāra, chap. II-III, and his Śikṣamuccaya, p. 290–291. There the threefold practice, so-called because it is done three times during the day and three times during the night, consists of at least six parts:

  1. Vandana and pūjana: veneration and worship of the Buddhas, etc.
  2. Śaraṇagamana, taking refuge in the Buddhas, etc., and pāpadeśana, confession of sins.
  3. Puṇyānumodanā, rejoicing in virtue.
  4. Adhyeṣaṇā, invitation to the Buddhas to preach the Dharma.
  5. Yācanā, prayer to the Buddhas to delay their entry into nirvāṇa.
  6. Pariṇamanā, dedication of merit for the good of beings.
Mahayana book cover
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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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Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

[«previous next»] — Triskandha in Sanskrit glossary
Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध).—(°-), perhaps = next, but probably rather in the sense of skandha (3), q.v., in °dha-patha-deśika (Mironov °daiśika), a title of Buddha: Mahāvyutpatti 74.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध):—[=tri-skandha] [from tri] n. ‘consisting of 3 Skandhas’, the Jyotiḥ-śāstra, [Āryabhaṭa [Scholiast or Commentator] [Introduction]]

[Sanskrit to German]

Triskandha 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.

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