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Kailash

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Buddhism and Jainism

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Indian Religions ((EIR))

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Synonyms

Gang Rinpoche; Gang Tisé; Kailās; Kelāsa; Meru; Sumeru

Definition

Mt Kailash is one of the holiest shrines of the Buddhists, Hindus, Jainas, and Bön. According to the Buddhist tradition, it is located in Uttarakuru and has Trāyastriṃśa heaven on top of it where Lord Indra (Sakka/Sakra), chief of the devas, lives.

Introduction

In the Buddhist tradition, Mt Kailash, which is also known as Gang Rinpoche, Gang Tisé, Kelāsa, Meru, and Sumeru, is located in Uttarakuru, a semi-mythical and semi-historical region situated to the north of Jambudīpa (Indian subcontinent). Alakanandāis said to be the chief city of this region and Kubera (also called Vessavana) is its king. It abounds with yakṣas and devas, is 80,000 leagues in extent, and is at the center of the flat world system. Lord Indra (Sakka/Sakra), chief of the devas, lives in Tāvatiṃsa (Sk, Trāyastriṃśa) heaven which is located on top of Kailash. Gautama Buddha is also said to have visited Tāvatiṃsa in order to preach to his...

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References

  1. Govinda A (1966) The way of the white clouds: a Buddhist Pilgrim in Tibet. Rider & Co, London

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  2. Fausböll V (ed) (1877–1897) The Jātakas, 7 vols. Trübner, London

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  3. Jones JJ (trans) (1949–1956) The Mahāvastu, 3 vols. Luzac & Co, London

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  4. Smith H (ed) (1916–1918) Sutta-Nipāta Commentary being Paramatthajotikā II, 3 vols. PTS, London

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  5. Sarao KTS (2009) Pilgrimage to Kailash: the Indian route. Aryan Books International, Delhi

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  6. Sherring CA (1974) Western Tibet and the Indian Borderland, First Indian edn. Cosmo Publications, Delhi (originally published, 1906)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India

    K. T. S. Sarao

Authors
  1. K. T. S. Sarao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to K. T. S. Sarao .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Delhi, Department of Buddhist Studies, Delhi, India

    K. T. S. Sarao

  2. Elizabethtown College, Department of Religious Studies, Elizabethtown, USA

    Jeffery D. Long

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Sarao, K.T.S. (2017). Kailash. In: Sarao, K.T.S., Long, J.D. (eds) Buddhism and Jainism. Encyclopedia of Indian Religions. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-024-0852-2_1878

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