Abhaya ¹

A monk whose verse concerning the bewildering effects of beautiful sights is in the Theragāthā. Thag.98

Abhaya²Abhayarājakumāra

The son of King Bimbisāra and of Padum …

A river, the modern Rāpti in Uttar Pradesh; one of the pañca-mahānadī, Vin.ii.237 the five great rivers flowing from the Himālaya eastwards (pācīnaninnā) SN.v.39 into the sea. During the hot seas …

A brahmin of Khemavatī, father of the Buddha Kakusandha. His wife was named Visākhā. DN.ii.7

Aggāḷave CetiyeAggālavacetiya

The chief shrine at Āḷavī, originally a pagan place of worship, but later converted into a Buddhist vihāra. The Buddha stopped here on many occasions during his wander …

A monk of Vesālī. In settling a dispute regarding the estate of his lay-supporter, he was accused of partisanship by one of the parties concerned and was reported to Ānanda. The case went up before U …

AjātasattuVedehiputta

Son of Bimbisāra, King of Māgadha, and therefore half-brother to Abhayarājakumāra. He murdered his father to gain the throne, and conspired with Devadatta to kill the Buddha, b …

AmbapālīAmbapālikā

A courtesan of Vesāli. She became a devout follower of the Buddha, and building a vihāra in her own garden, gave it to him and the Order. This was during the Buddha’s last visit …

AmbaṭṭhaAmbaṭṭhamāṇava

A brahmin youth of the Ambaṭṭha clan who lived with his teacher, Pokkharasādi, at Ukkaṭṭha. He was learned in the three Vedas and the correlated branches of knowledge, includin …

A village in the Māgadha country, three gāvuta from Rājagaha. Between it and Rājagaha is the river Sappinī, which rises in the Gijjhakūṭa. Vin.i.109 Once the Buddha went from Benares to Andhakavinda w …

A grove to the south of Sāvatthī, one gāvuta away from the city. It was well guarded and monks and nuns used to resort there in search of solitude. The Bhikkhunī Saṃyutta contains stories of nuns wh …

A banker (seṭṭhi) of Sāvatthī who became famous because of his unparalleled generosity to the Buddha. His first meeting with the Buddha was during the first year after the Enlightenment, in Rājagaha …

The Bodhisatta, born as a brahmin teacher. In the Aṅguttara Nikāya AN.iv.136–138 we are told that among Araka’s pupils those who followed his teachings were born in the Brahma-world, while the others …

AññātakoṇḍaññaKoṇḍañña

One of the five ascetics known as the Pañcavaggiyā. When, after the Enlightenment, the Buddha visited them at Isipatana and preached the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, Koṇḍañña w …

One of the 16 Great Nations (Mahājanapadā), mentioned in the Pitakas. The countries mentioned are Aṅga, Māgadha, Kāsī, Kosala, Vajji, Mallā, Ceti, Vaṃsa, Kuru, Pañcāla, Macchā, Sūrasena, Assaka, Avant …

A Brahmā. When the Buddha was once staying at Ukkaṭṭha in the Subhagavana, he read the thoughts of Baka, who had conceived the idea that this world was permanent and free from decay and death; and the …

An arahant, preceptor of Ānanda. He was once afflicted with scurvy and his robes clung to him. The monks thereupon applied water to the robes, but when the Buddha heard of it he made a rule allowing n …

BimbisāraSeniya

King of Māgadha and patron of the Buddha.

According to the Pabbajā Sutta Snp.405ff. the first meeting between the Buddha and Bimbisāra took place in Rājagaha under the Paṇḍavapabba …

The name given to a being who aspires to Bodhi or Awakening. Originally only in connection with the last life of a Buddha, especially after having left home, in such contexts as “in the days before my …

A brahmin foremost in Mithilā in his knowledge of the Vedas.

On hearing of the Buddha at the age of one hundred and twenty, he sent his pupil Uttara to discover if the Buddha had on his body the mark …

BārānasīBenares

The capital of Kāsi-janapada. It was one of the four places of pilgrimage for the Buddhists - the others being Kapilavatthu, Buddhagayā and Kusināra - because it was at, the Migadā …

A brahmin ascetic who went from Sāvatthī to Dakkhiṇāpatha and lived on the banks of the Godhāvarī in a hermitage which lay half in the territory of Assaka and half in that of Alaka.

He received the r …

The Wheel Treasure that is one of the seven treasures of a Wheel Turning Monarch (cakkavatti). The Cakkaratana is the Cakkavatti’s chief symbol of office; on its appearance before him, he sprinkles …

A city in India on the river of the same name; it was the capital of Aṅga and was celebrated for its beautiful lake, the Gaggarā-pokkharaṇī. On its banks was a grove of campaka-trees, well known for …

A nun, well known for her quarrelsome propensities. She was a friend of Thullanandā, during whose absence the other nuns once expelled Caṇḍakālī from their midst. This act was greatly resented by Thul …

King of Avanti in the time of the Buddha. His name was Pajjota, the sobriquet being added on account of his violent temper.

Once, when ill with jaundice, he asked Bimbisāra to lend him the services o …

Citta¹

A householder of Macchikāsaṇḍa, where he was Treasurer. He was later declared by the Buddha to be pre-eminent among laymen who preached the Doctrine. AN.i.26

When Mahānāma visited …

An arahant. With the Buddha’s sanction, and wishing to be of service to the Order, he took upon himself the task of appointing night’s-lodgings to travelling monks and of directing them to meals. He …

A region in India. It contained the city of Vedisa. Dakkhiṇāgiri lay to the south-west of Rājagaha, beyond the hills that surrounded the city—hence its name. In the district was the brahmin village o …

In the old Pāḷi literature the name Dakkhiṇāpatha would seem to indicate only a remote settlement or colony on the banks of the upper Godāvarī. Thus, we are told that Bāvarī had his hermitage in Dakkh …

A Cakkavatti of long ago. When his cakka showed signs of disappearing, he handed the kingdom over to his eldest son and became a hermit. Later he taught his son how he, in turn, could become a Cakka …

A monk, a close relative of the Buddha, who split the Sangha, and attempted to overthrow the Buddha and have him murdered. In one passage in the Vinaya, Vin.ii.189 Devadatta is spoken of as Godhiputta …

An eminent Therī, ranked foremost among nuns who possessed the gift of preaching. AN.i.25 Her Therīgāthā verse says that one without attachment is bound upstream. Thig.12 In Rājagaha her former husban …

Dhaniya¹Dhanika

A herdsman living on the bank of the river Mahī. One day, while he was in this house, having finished his preparations for the approach of the rains, he sat meditating on h …

A king of long ago. His son was Reṇu and his chief stewards were firstly Govinda and later Jotipāla. DN.ii.230f.

A slave-woman of Okkāka. She was the mother of Kaṇha, ancestor of the Kaṇhāyanā-gotta. DN.i.93

A town in India. It lay on the road between the Bodhi-tree and Benares. It was between the Bodhimanda and Gayā that the Buddha, on his way to Isipatana, met Upaka. Vin.i.8

The Buddha stayed at Gayā …

One of the three Kassapa brothers. They all lived at Gayāsīsa. When Uruvelā-Kassapa was converted, Gayā-Kassapa, with his followers, joined the Order, and at the conclusion of the Ādittapariyāya Sut …

A hill near Gayā. Here the Buddha came from Uruvelā after converting the Tebhātika-Jaṭilā (the three Kassapa ascetics), and here he lived with one thousand monks. On this occasion of his coming he ta …

In the time of Kassapa Buddha he was a potter of Vehaliṅga, looking after his blind parents. He was a very pious and devoted follower of the Buddha, ministering to him better than anyone else, and the …

One of the places passed by Bāvarī’s disciples on their way from Bāvarī’s hermitage to see the Buddha at Rājagaha.

Between Gonaddha and their starting place lay Patitthāna, Māhissati and Ujjeni, an …

The steward or treasurer of King Disampati. He had a son, Jotipāla, who succeeded him after his death and came to be known as Mahā Govinda. DN.ii.230f.

“Govinda” was evidently a title and not a name.

Inda¹

Given in the Āṭānāṭiya Sutta as the name of the ninety-one sons of Dhataraṭṭha, king of the Gandhabbas. They are represented as being of great strength and followers of the Buddha. …

Isidatta¹

A verse uttered by Isidatta, in response to the Buddha’s enquiry regarding his welfare, is recorded in the Therāgāthā. Thag.120

According to the Saṃyutta Nikāya, SN.iv.283–288 I …

IsigiliIsigilapassa

One of the five mountains round Rājagaha and one of the beauty-spots of the city. DN.ii.116 There was, on one side of it, a black stone called the Kāḷasilā. This was a favourite …

IsipatanaMigadayaDeer Park

An open space near Benares, the site of the famous Migadāya or Deer Park. It was eighteen leagues from Uruvelā, and when Gotama gave up his austere penances his friends, th …

Jotipāla¹

The Bodhisatta born as a brahmin of Vehaliṅga in the time of Kassapa Buddha. Ghaṭīkāra was his friend and invited Jotipāla to accompany him to the Buddha, but Jotipāla refused to …

JīvakaJīvakakomārabhacca

A celebrated physician, and the Buddha’s doctor. The Vinaya contains many stories of his skill in healing. Vin.i.268–281 Once when the Buddha was ill, Jīvaka found it necessa …

Kassapa¹

One of the seven Buddhas mentioned in the Canon. DN.ii.7

Among those who attained arahantship under Kassapa is mentioned Gavesī, who, with his five hundred followers, strove alwa …

KatamorakatissaKatamorakatissaka

One of the monks whom Devadatta incited to join him in stirring up discord among the Saṅgha, the others being Kokālika, Khaṇḍadevīputta and Samuddadatta Vin.ii.196 Vi …

Kaṇha¹

Son of Disā, a slave girl of Okkāka. He was called Kaṇha because he was black and, like a devil, spoke as soon as he was born. He was the ancestor of the Kaṇhāyanagotta. DN.i.93 Lat …

KhattiyānīVelāmikā

Chief of the eighty-four thousand women who waited on the Bodhisatta when he was once a mighty king Mahāsudassana of Kusāvatī. SN.iii.146 DN.ii.188

A brahmin village of Māgadha, presented to Kūṭadanta by Bimbisāra. The Buddha once stayed there at the Ambalaṭṭhikā pleasance, and there he preached the Kūṭadanta Sutta. DN.i.127

Māgadha3town

KimbilaKimilaKimmila

A Sākiyan of Kapilavatthu. He was converted with Bhaddiya and four other Sākyan nobles at Anupiya. Vin.ii.182 Kimbila seems to have maintained throughout his early friendship wit …

KisasaṅkiccaKisaSaṅkicca

A naked ascetic, contemporary with the Buddha and evidently a well-known head of a school; mentioned in company with Nanda Vaccha and Makkhali Gosāla. MN.i.238

Kisasankicca …

Kisāgotamī

A nun who was declared chief among women disciples with respect to the wearing of coarse robes. AN.i.25 Gotamī was her name—she was called Kisā because of her thinness.

In her Therīgāthā …

KokālikaKokāliya

A monk, one of the chief partisans of Devadatta. Knowing the Buddha’s might, he was, at first, reluctant to join in Devadatta’s plot against him, but later allowed himself to be pers …

Kosala¹

A country inhabited by the Kosalans, to the north-west of Māgadha and next to Kāsī. It is mentioned second in the list of sixteen Great Nations.AN.i.213 AN.iv.252 In the Buddha’s …

The capital of the Vatsas or Vaṃsas. In the time of the Buddha its king was Parantapa, and after him reigned his son Udena. Kosambī was evidently a city of great importance at the time of the Buddha f …

The capital of the Mallas and the scene of the Buddha’s death. At that time it was a small city, “a branch-township with wattle-and-daub houses in the midst of the jungle,” and Ānanda was, at first …

KuveraKubera

King of Uttarakuru. His royal residence is Āḷakamandā and his citadel Visāṇā. His messengers are Tatolā, Tattolā, Tatotalā, Ojasi, Tejasi, Tatojasī, Sūra, Rāja, Ariṭṭha and Nemi. His lot …

Kālāma¹

The name of a family. Mention is made of a town belonging to them in Kosala, which was called Kesaputta. The sermon preached by the Buddha on his visit to Kesaputta is justly famou …

KāsiKāsikaKāsigāmaKāsinigama

One of the sixteen Great Nations, AN.i.213 its capital being Bārāṇasī.

At the time of the Buddha, it had been absorbed into the kingdom of Kosala, and Pasenadi was king …

A very learned brahmin of Khāṇumata, which village had been given to him by King Bimbisāra as a brahmadeyya. The Buddha arrived at Khāṇumata when Kūṭadanta was making preparations for a great sacrific …

LaṭṭhivanaLatthivanaLatthivanuyyāna

A grove to the southwest of Rājagaha. In it was the Supatiṭṭha cetiya, where the Buddha stayed during his first visit to Rājagaha from Gayāsīsa, after the Enlighte …

A powerful tribe of India in the time of the Buddha. They were certainly khattiyas, for on that ground they claimed a share of the Buddha’s relics. DN.ii.165

Their capital was Vesāli, and they form …

The Saṃyutta Nikāya mentions an interview between an Elder of this name and the Sākyan Mahānāma. Mahānāma asks the Elder if the learner’s way of life is identical with that of the Tathāgata. Vaṅgīsa a …

MadhurāMathurā

The capital of Surasena, situated on the Yamunā. Its king, soon after the death of Bimbisāra, was Avantiputta, MN.ii.83 who, judging by his name, was probably related to the royal fami …

A place on the Saṅkheyya Mountain where Uttara is said to have stayed, in Dhavajālika vihāra. AN.iv.162

on the Saṅkheyya Mountain in Dhavajālika vihāra.3monastery

MahākassapaKassapaPippali

One of the Buddha’s most eminent disciples, chief among those who upheld austere practices. AN.i.23 His personal name was Pippali, but he is usually known by his clan name K …

MahākoṭṭhitaMahākotthitaKoṭṭhitaKotthita

One of the foremost disciples of the Buddha, ranked foremost among masters of analytical knowledge. AN.i.24 His Theragāthā verse speaks of contentment and sha …

MahāmoggallānaMoggallānaKolita

The second of the Chief Disciples of the Buddha. He and Sāriputta went forth as disciples of Sañjaya. After some time, Sāriputta, wandering about in Rājagaha, met Assaj …

Mahānāma¹

A Sākiyan rājā, son of Amitodana; he was elder brother of Anuruddha and cousin of the Buddha. When the Sākiyan families of Kapilavatthu sent their representatives to join the Ord …

Mahāpajāpatī GotamīPajāpatī

An eminent bhikkhunī and the step-mother of the Buddha. She raised the Buddha as her own child after the death of his mother.

She is chiefly remembered as the first bhik …

The name given to a Great Being, destined to become either a Cakkavatti or a Buddha. He carries on his person the following thirty two marks. DN.ii.17f. DN.iii.142ff. MN.ii.136f. .

1. he has fe …

A king who lived in the beginning of this present age. He was called Mahāsammata, because, on the arising of wickedness in the world, he was chosen by the people DN.iii.92f. to show indignation agai …

The Bodhisatta born as king of Kusāvati. DN.ii.169ff.

Chief queen of Pasenadi, king of Kosala.

Mallika’s knowledge of the Dhamma made her wiser than Pasenadi would have desired, and he once, in a moment of great affection, asked if anyone were dearer to …

A class of devas possessing lovely forms. Once a large number of them visited Anuruddha at the Ghositirāma and announced to him that in a trice they could assume any colour they desired, produce any s …

MeṇḍasiraMeṇḍasīsa

A monk whose Theragāthā verse speaks of realizing release from suffering after many lifetimes. Thag.78

The name given to the monastery erected by Visākhā Migāramātā in the Pubbārāma, to the east of Sāvatthī. It is said that, one day, when Visākhā had gone to the monastery to hear the Dhamma and afterwa …

One of the four chief kingdoms of India at the time of the Buddha, the others being Kosala, the kingdom of the Vaṃsas and Avanti. Māgadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas and had its capital at …

MāraNamuciKaṇhaAdhipatiAntakaPamattabandhuPāpimā

Generally regarded as the personification of Death, the Evil One, the Tempter. Sometimes known as the Dark One (Kaṇha). Snp.355 MN.i.377 DN.ii.262 T …

Wife of Nakulapitā. They were householders of Suṃsumāragiri in the Bhagga-country. When the Buddha visited the village and stayed at Bhesakalāvana, they went to see him. They immediately fell at his …

Husband of Nakulamātā. They were householders of Suṃsumāragiri in the Bhagga-country. When the Buddha visited the village and stayed at Bhesakalāvana, they went to see him. They immediately fell at h …

Nanda¹Vaccha

Mentioned in a list of well known leaders of the Ajivakas, the others being Kisa Saṅkicca and Makkhali Gosāla. MN.i.524 They were declared by Purāṇa Kassapa, in his classifica …

A deva who visits the Buddha and converses with him on the nature of the body and its riddance. SN.i.63 SN.i.15

NigrodhakappaKappa

He was the preceptor (upajjhāya) of Vaṅgīsa, and together they lived in Aggālava cetiya, SN.i.185 where Kappa died. When Vaṅgīsa questioned the Buddha as to the destiny of Kappa, …

Nigrodhārāma¹

A grove near Kapilavatthu, where a residence was provided for the Buddha. Vin.i.82 There Mahāpajāpati Gotamī first asked permission for women to enter the Order. This was ref …

A monk whose Theragāthā verses speak of giving up desire and patiently awaiting one’s time. Thag.195–196

A king, ancestor of the Sākyas and the Kolians.

In the Ambaṭṭha Sutta DN.i.92 it is stated that Okkāka, being fond of his queen and wishing to transfer the kingdom to her son, banished from the kingd …

One of the kings of the devas, mentioned with Sakka, Varuṇa, Isāna, etc. MN.i.2 SN.i.219 DN.i.244 DN.ii.274

He is sometimes mentioned with Brahmā, as distinct from him. MN.i.140 MN.i.327 MN.i.329

In …

The name given to the five monks—Koṇḍañña (Aññā Koṇḍañña), Bhaddiya, Vappa, Mahānāma, and Assaji—to whom the Buddha preached his first sermon at Isipatana.

All five joined in the austerities of Gotam …

PilindavacchaPilindivacchaPilindiyavacchaPilindaPilindiPilindiya

A monk whose enigmatic Theragāthā verse speaks of what has come and not departed. Thag.9 Certain devas who had been born in the deva w …

A wanderer who visited Samiddhi at the Vejuvana in Rājagaha and said that he had heard the Buddha declare that all action and speech were vain, and that what passed in the mind was the only thing of i …

A wanderer. A discussion between him and the Buddha on samādhi and on the soul, which took place in Mallikārāma in Sāvatthī, is reported in the Poṭṭhapāda Sutta. Poṭṭhapāda, accepting the Buddha’s v …

Revata¹Khadiravaniya

An eminent disciple of the Buddha, declared by him foremost among forest dwellers. AN.i.24

His Theragāthā verses appear under two names. As Khadiravaniya he admonishe …

Son and successor of King Disampati. On the death of his father Reṇu, with the advice and co operation of his chief steward Jotipāla, who was also his great friend, divided his kingdom into seven part …

Rojā¹

A Malla, inhabitant of Kusinārā. When the Buddha and Ānanda visited Kusinārā, the Malla chieftains decreed that whoever failed to pay homage to the Buddha would be fined five hundred …

A city, the capital of Māgadha.

The place was called Giribbaja (mountain stronghold) because it was surrounded by five hills—Paṇḍava, Gijjhakūṭa, Vebhāra, Isigili and Vepulla. It is said MN.iii.68 th …

SahajātiSahajātāSahañcanika

A township where Yasa Kākandakaputta met Soreyya Revata, whom he wished to consult regarding the Ten Points raised by the Vajjiputtakas. Revata had gone there from Soreyya …

SarakāniSaraṇāni

A Sākyan. When he died the Buddha declared that he was a sotāpanna, bound for enlightenment. But many of the Sākyans spoke scornfully of him, saying that he had failed in the train …

Serissaka¹

A Yakkha chieftain to be invoked in time of need by followers of the Buddha. DN.iii.205

Serissaka¹Serīsaka

A vimāna in the Cātummahārājika world, which was occupi …

SikhīArindama

A Buddha of a past age.DN.ii.7 DN.iii.195f. SN.ii.9

• He was born in the Nisabha pleasance in Aruṇavatī.
• His father was the khattiya Aruṇa and his mother Pabhāvatī.
• His wife wa …

SippinikātīraSappinīSappinīkā

A river that flowed through Rājagaha. On its bank was a Paribbājakārāma where famous Paribbājakas lived in the Buddha’s time. AN.i.185 AN.ii.29 AN.ii.176 SN.i.153

Rājagaha3river

Siṃsapāvana¹

A grove in Āḷavī, where the Buddha stayed in the Gomagga and was visited by Hatthaka of Āḷavī. AN.i.136

26.12098, 83.34133parkSiṃsapāvana²Sīsapāvane

A grove in Ko …

Soṇa¹

A Thera, declared chief of those possessing clear utterance. AN.i.24 He lived in Avantī, where he met Mahākaccāna and was later ordained by him, after much difficulty assembling the …

A rich brahmin of Campā, very learned in the Vedas; he lived in a royal domain, given to him as royal fief by King Bimbisāra. When the Buddha was in Campā, on the banks of the Gaggarā-lake, Soṇadaṇḍa …

Subhā¹

A group of Brahmās; the group includes the Parittasubhā, the Appamāṇasubhā and the Subhakiṇhā. MN.iii.102

Subhā²Kammāradhītā

The daughter of a rich goldsmith of Rājagah …

Sudhamma¹

He lived in Macchikāsaṇḍa, in a monastery (the Ambātakārāma) provided by Citta. Citta used to invite Sudhamma to his house for meals. One day Sāriputta, at the head of several em …

Sujātā¹

The foremost laywoman in being first to go for refuge. DN.ii.135 AN.i.26

Sujātā²

A lay woman of Ñātikā. The Buddha said that she had become a sotāpanna and had thus as …

SusumāragiriSuṃsumāragiri

A city in the Bhagga country, of which it was probably the capital. Near the city was the Bhesakalāvana where the Buddha stayed.

During his visits there he preached the Anu …

Sāgata

He was the personal attendant of the Buddha at he time when Soṇa Kolvisa visited Bimbisāra, with overseers of the eighty thousand townships of Bimbisāra’s kingdom. Sāgata was endowed with supe …

A town in Kosala. It was regarded in the Buddha’s time as one of the six great cities of India, the others being Campā, Rājagaha, Sāvatthī, Kosambī and Benares. DN.ii.146 In the Vinaya Vin.i.253 howev …

SāmaṇḍakaSāmaṇḍakāniSāmañcakāni

A Paribbājaka, mentioned SN.iv.261f. as having visited Sāriputta at Ukkacela and questioned him regarding Nibbāna, and again AN.v.121f. at Nālakagāma, where he que …

The capital city of Kosala in India and one of the six great Indian cities during the lifetime of the Buddha. DN.ii.147 It was six leagues from Sāketa. Vin.i.253 It was on the banks of the Aciravatī.V …

A grove near Rājagaha where Anāthapiṇḍika first met the Buddha. When Anāthapiṇḍika approached it, he was filled with fear and trembling. But he was reassured by a friendly Yakkha, Sīvaka. Vin.ii.155*f …

A nun, one of four sisters who all joined the Order, the others being Nandā, Nandavatī and Sundarinandā.

Thulla-Nandā appears to have had charge of a large company of nuns, all of whom followed her …

The fourth of the six deva worlds. AN.i.210

Four hundred years of human life are equal to one day of the Tusita world and four thousand years, so reckoned, is the term of life of a deva born in Tusit …

The capital of Avanti. In the Buddha’s time, Caṇḍapajjota Vin.i.276 was king of Ujjenī and there was friendly intercourse between that city and Māgadha, whose king was Seniya Bimbisāra. After Bimbisār …

UpavattaUpavattana

The sāla-grove of the Mallas of Kusināra, on the further side of the Hiraññavatī. This was the last resting-place of the Buddha on his last tour, and here he passed away, lying …

UruvelāSenānigamaUruvelapattana

A locality on the banks of the Nerañjara, in the neighbourhood of the Bodhi-tree at Buddhagayā. MN.i.166 The place chosen by the Bodhisatta for his penances was calle …

UruvelākassapaKassapa

One of three brothers, the Tebhātika-Jatilas, living at Uruvelā. After initial resistance, all became the Buddha’s followers. He lived on the banks of the Nerañjara with five h …

Uttara¹

A monk whose verses are recorded in the Theragāthā. Thag.121–122

Uttara²

A monk whose verse are recorded in the Theragāthā. Thag.161–162

Uttara³

A *devapu …

VanasavhayaVanasaVanasāvhayaTumbavanagaraPavanaVanasāvatthī

A city lying between Vedisa and Kosambī, on the road taken by Bāvarī’s disciples. Snp.1011

24.69943,80.1727292town

Vappa ¹

One of the group of five monks who practiced with the Bodhisatta before his Awakening, and who were his first monastic followers. Vappa was disappointed when the Buddha began takin …

A king of the devas, mentioned as the companion of Sakka, Pajāpati and Isāna. In battle against the Asuras, the devas of Tāvatiṃsā were asked to look upon the banner of Varuṇa in order to have all the …

A brahmin, chief minister of Ajātasattu. He and Sunidha were in charge of the fortifications of Pāṭaligāma, built against the Vajjī. Vin.i.228 Ud.viii.6 DN.ii.72ff.

At Ajātasattu’s suggestion, Vass …

A monk who was declared foremost in the gift of spontaneous poetic expression. AN.i.24

The Theragāthā contains numerous verses spoken by him on various occasions Thag.1208–1279 SN.i.183ff. Some of …

VaṭajālikāyaṃDhavajālikā

A monastery on Sankheyyaka mountain in Mahisa country. A monk, named Uttara, once lived there and was visited by Sakka. AN.iv.162ff.

Sankheyyaka mountain in Mahisa3monastery

VedisaVedisagiri

A city, the home of Devī, mother of Mahinda. He and Sanghamittā were born there, and, just before he left for Ceylon, he went there to visit his mother and stayed for one month in th …

VepacittiSambara

An Asura chieftain, who was present with Namuci (Māra) at the preaching of the Mahāsamaya Sutta. DN.ii.259

Vepacitti was the friend of Rāhu, and when Rāhu seized Candimā and Suriya …

Veḷuvana¹Veṇuvana

A park near Rājagaha, the pleasure garden of Bimbisāra. When the Buddha first visited Rājagaha, after his Enlightenment, he stayed at the Latthivanuyyāna. Vin.i.35 The da …

A country and its people. At the time of the Buddha, Videha formed one of the two important principalities of the Vajjian confederacy. Its capital was Mithilā. The kingdom bordered on the Ganges, on o …

Visākha¹

Husband of Dhammadinnā. After Dhammadinnā had joined the Order, she left the city and retired into the country, returning to Rājagaha after she had attained arahantship. Visākha, …

Visākhā¹

. Thig.13

Visākhā²

The chief among the female lay disciples of the Buddha and declared by him to be foremost among those who ministered to the Order. AN.i.26 She is c …

A class of non human beings generally described as non-human. They are mentioned with Devas, Rakkhasas, Dānavas, Gandhabbas, Kinnaras, and Mahoragas (? Nāgas).

Elsewhere AN.ii.38 they rank, in progr …

Yasa ¹

He was the son of a very wealthy treasurer of Benares, and was brought up in great luxury, living in three mansions, according to the seasons and surrounded with all kinds of pleasu …

ĀjīvakāĀjīvikā

A class of naked ascetics, Vin.i.291 followers of Makkhali Gosāla, regarded, from the Buddhist point of view, as the worst of sophists. Numerous references to the Ājīvakas are to be fo …

One of the principal disciples of the Buddha. He was a first cousin of the Buddha and was deeply attached to him. Ānanda entered the Order in the second year of the Buddha’s ministry, together with ot …

ĀrāmikagāmaPilindagāma

The name given to the village in which lived the five hundred park-keepers who were given by Bimbisāra to the Elder Pilindavaccha. It was near Rājagaha and was also called Pil …

One of the chief devas.

In the Tevijja Sutta DN.i.244 he is mentioned with Indra, Soma, Varuṇa, Pajāpati and Brahmā, as being invoked by the brahmins.

He was in the battle of the devas against the A …