Shaddhatu, Shad-dhatu, Ṣaḍdhātu: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Shaddhatu 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.

The Sanskrit term Ṣaḍdhātu can be transliterated into English as Saddhatu or Shaddhatu, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).

In Hinduism

Shaiva philosophy

Source: Brill: Śaivism and the Tantric Traditions (philosophy)

Ṣaḍdhātu (षड्धातु) [=Dhātuṣaṭka?] refers to the “(theory of the) six elements”, according to Utpaladeva’s Vivṛti on Īśvarapratyabhijñākārikā 1.5.6.—Accordingly, “[...] For it is not [universally acknowledged that] no [perception] at all can be accounted for without speculating about the [imperceptible] sense organs; thus some propound the theory of the six elements (ṣaḍdhātu-vādin) while not taking the sense organs into account in any way, [and] others defend the theory of the two [sorts of combinations of four elements—namely, the sort that produces consciousness and the one that does not—without taking imperceptible sense organs into account either]. [...]”

Note: (Cf. Ṣaḍdhātuvāda) According to Abhinavagupta’s commentary, their “theory of the six elements” (ṣaḍdhātu-vāda) includes a set of five elements (bhūtapañcaka)—i.e. most probably earth, water, fire, wind and ākāśa—to which consciousness (cetanā) is added. At first sight one might assume that Utpaladeva and Abhinavagupta had a Buddhist author in mind.—On the Buddhist theory of the ṣaḍdhātu see e.g. Abhidharmakośabhāṣya 28 on Abhidharmakośa 1.27: [...]

context information

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Discover the meaning of shaddhatu or saddhatu in the context of Shaiva philosophy from relevant books on Exotic India

In Buddhism

General definition (in Buddhism)

[«previous next»] — Shaddhatu in Buddhism glossary
Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-samgraha

Ṣaḍdhātu (षड्धातु) or simply dhātu refers to the “six elements” as defined in the Dharma-saṃgraha (section 58):

  1. pṛthvī (earth),
  2. āpas (water),
  3. tejas (fire),
  4. vāyu (wind),
  5. ākāśa (space),
  6. vijñāna (consciousness).

The Dharma-samgraha (Dharmasangraha) is an extensive glossary of Buddhist technical terms in Sanskrit (e.g., ṣaḍ-dhātu). The work is attributed to Nagarjuna who lived around the 2nd century A.D.

See also (Relevant definitions)

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