Vidudabha, Vidūdabha, Viḍūḍabha: 1 definition

Introduction:

Vidudabha means something in Buddhism, Pali. 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)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

Vidudabha (v.l. Vitatubha).—Son of Pasenadi and Vasabhakhattiya. On the birth of Vidudabha, the king, glad at having a son, sent word to his own grandmother asking her to choose a name. The minister who delivered the message was deaf, and when the grandmother spoke of Vasabhakhattiya as being dear to the king, mistook vallabha for Vidudabha, and, thinking that this was an old family name, bestowed it on the prince. When the boy was quite young, Pasenadi conferred on him the rank of senapati, thinking that this would please the Buddha. It was for the same reason he married Vasabhakhattiya; both in the Piyajatika Sutta (M.ii.110) and the Kannakatthala Suttas (M.ii.127) Vidudabha is spoken of as senapati.

When Vidudabha was seven years old, he wished to visit his maternal grandparents, hoping to be given presents, like his companions by theirs, but Vasabhakhattiya persuaded him against this, telling him that they lived too far away. But he continued to express this desire, and when he reached the age of sixteen she consented to his going. Thereupon, accompanied by a large retinue, he set out for Kapilavatthu. The Sakiyans sent all the younger princes away, there being thus none to pay obeisance to him in answer to his salute, the remaining ones being older than he. He was shown every hospitality and stayed for several days. On the day of his departure, one of his retinue overheard a contemptuous remark passed by a slave woman who was washing, with milk and water, the seat on which Vidudabha had sat. This was reported to him, and, having discovered the deceit which had been practiced on his father, he vowed vengeance on the Sakiyans. Pasenadi cut off all honours from Vasabhakhattiya and her son, but restored them later, at the Buddhas suggestion.

After Pasenadis death, which was brought about by the treachery of Dighakarayana in making Vidudabha king (for details see Pasenadi), Vidudabha remembered his oath, and set out with a large army for Kapilavatthu. The Buddha, aware of this, stood under a tree, with scanty shade, just within the boundaries of the Sakiyan kingdom. On the boundary was a banyan which gave deep shade. Vidudabha, seeing the Buddha, asked him to sit under the banyan. Be not worried, said the Buddha, the shade of my kinsmen keeps me cool. Vidudabha understood and returned home with his army. This exposure to the sun gave the Buddha a headache which lasted through out his life (UdA.265; Ap.i.300).

Three times he marched against the Sakiyans and three times he saw the Buddha under the same tree and turned back. The fourth time the Buddha knew that the fate of the Sakiyans could not be averted and remained away. In a previous existence they had conspired and thrown poison into a river.

The Sakiyans went armed into the battle, but not wishing to kill,

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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