Candima, Candimā, Camdima: 5 definitions

Introduction:

Candima means something in Buddhism, Pali, Jainism, Prakrit. 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 Chandima.

In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Candima, Candimasa, Canda - The name of the devaputta whose abode (vimana) is the moon (Canda), sometimes also called Candima. The moon is forty nine leagues in diameter and appears in the world at the wish of the Abhassara Brahmas, who are the first inhabitants of the earth, hence its name (amhakam chandam natva viya utthito, tasma cando hotu ti) (VibhA.519; PsA.253).

Candima is also included among the Catummaharajika devas because he lives in their world (E.g., Mahaniddesa Cty. 108). There are other devas besides Canda who dwell in the moon (D.ii.269).

According to the Bilarikosiya Jataka (J.iv.63, 69), Sariputta, having once given alms, was born as Canda, while in the Sudhabhojana Jataka (J.v.382, 412) it is Moggallana who was so born. The moon cannot move in the sky without the permission of Candima, and he can stop its movement at will (E.g., DhA.ii.143, 146; iii.97).

It is said that once, when Candima was seized by Rahu Asurinda, he invoked the Buddha in a verse and the Buddha asked Rahu to set him at liberty, which request was granted (S.i.50). The deva Candimasa who is mentioned (S.i.51) as visiting the Buddha is probably identical with Candima. The moon was worshipped when children were desired (E.g., J.iv.1).

The Sasa Jataka (No.513) gives details of the story of how, as a result of the Bodhisattas sacrifice when born as a hare, Sakka painted the figure of a hare on the moon, which sign will be seen throughout this kappa (J.i.172).

2. Candima - One of the descendants of Okkaka. Mhv.ii.13; Dpv.iii.42.

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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Mahayana (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Wisdom Library: Maha Prajnaparamita Sastra

Candima (चन्दिम) refers to the “god of the moon” according to the 2nd century Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XV). Accordingly, “It is said that once Rāhu asurinda wanted to swallow Candima (god of the moon). The devaputra Candima, frightened, went at once to the Buddha and spoke this stanza...”.

Mahayana book cover
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.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Candima in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

candimā : (m.) the moon.

Source: Sutta: The Pali Text Society's Pali-English Dictionary

Candimā, (m. or f. ?) (Sk. candramas m. & candrimā f. , cp. pūrṇimā; a cpd. of canda+mā, cp. māsa. The Pāli form, however, is based on a supposed derivation fr. canda+mant, like bhagavā, and is most likely m. On this formation cp. Lat. lumen=Sk. rukmān luminous, shiny) the moon. By itself only in similes at Dh. 208, 387 (at end of pada) & in “abbhā mutto va candimā” M. II, 104=Dh. 172=Th. 1, 871; Dh. 382=Th. 1, 873; Ps. I, 175.—Otherwise only in combination with suriya, moon & sun, D. I, 240; II, 12; III, 85 sq. , 90, 112; S. II, 266; V, 264 sq. ; A. I, 227; II, 53, 130; V, 59; Vv 30; J. II, 213; Miln. 191; Vism. 153. Also in cpd. candimāpabhā the light of the moon (thus BB, whereas SS read at all passages candiyā° or candiya-pabhā) S. III, 156=V. 44= It. 20. (Page 262)

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Prakrit-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary

1) Caṃḍima (चंडिम) in the Prakrit language is related to the Sanskrit word: Caṇḍiman.

2) Caṃdimā (चंदिमा) also relates to the Sanskrit word: Candrikā.

context information

Prakrit is an ancient language closely associated with both Pali and Sanskrit. Jain literature is often composed in this language or sub-dialects, such as the Agamas and their commentaries which are written in Ardhamagadhi and Maharashtri Prakrit. The earliest extant texts can be dated to as early as the 4th century BCE although core portions might be older.

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