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)
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
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.
Jyotisha (astronomy and astrology)
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 (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.
Shaktism (Shakta philosophy)
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)”.
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.
In Buddhism
Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)
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:
- Vandana and pūjana: veneration and worship of the Buddhas, etc.
- Śaraṇagamana, taking refuge in the Buddhas, etc., and pāpadeśana, confession of sins.
- Puṇyānumodanā, rejoicing in virtue.
- Adhyeṣaṇā, invitation to the Buddhas to preach the Dharma.
- Yācanā, prayer to the Buddhas to delay their entry into nirvāṇa.
- Pariṇamanā, dedication of merit for the good of beings.
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
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.
Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध):—[=tri-skandha] [from tri] n. ‘consisting of 3 Skandhas’, the Jyotiḥ-śāstra, [Āryabhaṭa [Scholiast or Commentator] [Introduction]]
Triskandha (त्रिस्कन्ध):—Adj. aus drei Skandha bestehend ; n. das aus drei Skandha bestehende Jyotiḥśāstra [Sūryadevayajvan (kern) ] in der Vorrede zu [Āryabhaṭa .VII,11.]
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: Tri, Skandha.
Starts with: Triskandhabhushana, Triskandhaka, Triskandhapathadaishika.
Full-text: Triskandhapathadaishika, Triskandhaka, San pin, San ju, Skandhatraya, Shi jiang.
Relevant text
Search found 15 books and stories containing Triskandha, Tri-skandha; (plurals include: Triskandhas, skandhas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra (by Gelongma Karma Migme Chödrön)
Preliminary note on sympathetic joy and transfer of merit < [Chapter XLIV - Sympathetic Joy and Transfer of Merit]
Appendix 4 - Triskandha (threefold practice): confession, commemoration, rejoicing < [Chapter XIII - The Buddha-fields]
Bodhisattva quality 27: excelled in inviting innumerable Buddhas < [Chapter XIII - The Buddha-fields]
A Descriptive Catalogue of the Sanskrit Manuscripts, Madras (by M. Seshagiri Sastri)
Page 90 < [Volume 24 (1918)]
Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine
"AYUSH digital initiatives: Leveraging tech for India’s traditional medicine." < [Volume 13 (issue 2), Apr-Jun 2022]
Vaidya V. B. Mhaiskar < [Volume 1 (issue 3), Jul-Sep 2010]
Understanding Ayurveda < [Volume 1 (issue 1), Jan-Mar 2010]
Advayavajra-samgraha (Sanskrit text and English introduction) (by Mahamahopadhyaya Haraprasad Shastri)
Blue Annals (deb-ther sngon-po) (by George N. Roerich)
Chapter 21 - Zhang Rinpoche together with his students < [Book 8 - The famous Dakpo Kagyü (traditions)]
Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine
Prakṛti: A Determinant of Health and Personality < [Volume 11, issue 8 (2023)]
The Hidden Gems of Charak Samhita Indriya Sthana < [Volume 11, issue 12 (2023)]