Alternative spellings of this word include Udakachandra.

In Buddhism

Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Udakacandra (उदकचन्द्र) (cf. Ambucandra) refers to the “moon reflected in water” and represents one of the ten comparisons (upamāna) according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra chapter 11. These upamānas represent a quality of the Bodhisattvas accompanying the Buddha at Rājagṛha on the Gṛdhrakūṭaparvata. They accepted that dharmas are like the ‘moon reflected in water’ (udakacandra). Actually, the moon (candra) is situated in space (ākāśa) but its reflection (bimba) appears in the water (udaka). In the same way, ‘the moon’ of the true Dharma (bhūtadharma) is in ‘the space’ of suchness (dharmatā) and the peak of existence (bhūtakoṭi), but its ‘reflection’—the wrong notions of ‘me’ and ‘mine’—appear in the ‘water’ of the minds of fools (bālacitta), gods or men. This is why dharmas are like the moon reflected in water (udakacandra).

Source: academia.edu: A Study and Translation of the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā

Udakacandra (उदकचन्द्र) refers to “(that which is like) the reflection of the moon in the water”, according to the Gaganagañjaparipṛcchā: the eighth chapter of the Mahāsaṃnipāta (a collection of Mahāyāna Buddhist Sūtras).—Accordingly, “[...] The Bodhisattva Gaganagañja then sustained the jewel-canopy of ten thousand yojanas high over the Lord’s lion throne in the sky, joined the palms of his hands, saluted, and praised the Lord with these suitable verses: ‘[...] (13) The parts of the personality, realms and fields of perception (skandhadhātu-āyatana) are as an illusion (māyā-upama); the three worlds are as the reflection of the moon in the water (udakacandra-upama) without change (acyuta); all living beings are non-existence (abhāva) as a dream (svapnopama). Having realized the fact that all things are like a dream by the knowledge, you teach this dharma. [...]”.

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.

Languages of India and abroad

Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Udakacandra (उदकचन्द्र).—a kind of magic.

Derivable forms: udakacandraḥ (उदकचन्द्रः).

Udakacandra is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms udaka and candra (चन्द्र).

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Edgerton Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Dictionary

Udakacandra (उदकचन्द्र).—m., (1) the moon in water, as symbol of deceptive and unsubstantial things: Mahāvyutpatti 2814 (among svnonyms for māyā); also uda-candra, daka(-candra), [Pagĕ8-a+ 71] qq.v.; no such form noted elsewhere; (2) name of a former Buddha: Sukhāvatīvyūha 6.1.

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Udakacandra (उदकचन्द्र) or Uda-candra.—and daka-c°, qq.v.: °dra-samā imi kāmaguṇāḥ Lalitavistara 174.5 (verse), cited Śikṣāsamuccaya 204.15, reading dakacandranibhā.

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

1) Udakacandra (उदकचन्द्र):—[=udaka-candra] [from udaka > und] a m. (?), a kind of magic ([Buddhist literature]), [cf. Lexicographers, esp. such as amarasiṃha, halāyudha, hemacandra, etc.]

2) [v.s. ...] b m. Name of a Tathāgata, [Sukhāvatī-vyūha i]

[Sanskrit to German]

Udakacandra 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.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Partial matches: Udaka, Candra.

Starts with: Udakacandropama.

Full-text: Udacandra, Tathagatanirmita, Akashashakuni, Alatacakra, Parinama, Akashapushpa, Taimirika, Candra, Udaka, Upamana, Ambucandra, Svapna, Acyuta, Svapnopama, Abhava, Ambucandraka, Mayopama, Samjanati, Samjanite.

Relevant text

Search found 2 books and stories containing Udakacandra, Udaka-candra; (plurals include: Udakacandras, candras). 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)

Introduction: the ten comparisons (upamāna) < [Bodhisattva quality 19: the ten upamānas]

III.b Causality according to the Perfection of Wisdom < [Part 1 - Understanding the Conditions (pratyaya)]

Third comparison or upamāna: The moon reflected in water (udakacandra) < [Bodhisattva quality 19: the ten upamānas]

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A Dictionary Of Chinese Buddhist Terms (by William Edward Soothill)

Part 4 - Four Strokes

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