Bimbisāra (English spelling)

King of Magadha in ancient India (reigned from around 543 BC to around 491 BC). In Chinese translations of Buddhist scriptures, he is written as Bimbasara. He conquered the kingdom of Ang and advanced eastward, taking wives from the powerful northern kingdom of Kosala and the Licchavi people. He promoted skillful foreign policies, while also implementing domestic reforms in areas such as administration, military affairs, and taxation, laying the foundation for the development of the kingdom. He was also known as the protector of Buddha (Shakyamuni) and Jina (Mahavira, founder of Jainism). His later years were unfortunate, and it is said that he was imprisoned and killed by Prince Ajatashatru (Ajatashatru).

[Genichi Yamazaki December 12, 2016]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

古代インド、マガダ国の王（在位前543ころ～前491ころ）。漢訳仏典では頻婆娑羅(びんばしゃら)と記す。アンガ国を征服して東方に進出し、北方の強敵コーサラ国やリッチャビ人から妃を迎えるなど、巧みな外交政策を推進するとともに、行政、軍事、徴税など内政上の改革を断行し、王国発展の基礎を築いた。ブッダ（釈迦(しゃか)）やジナ（マハービーラ。ジャイナ教の祖）の庇護(ひご)者としても知られる。晩年は不幸で、王子アジャータシャトル（阿闍世(あじゃせ)）に幽閉され殺されたといわれる。

［山崎元一　2016年12月12日］

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