Udena¹Utena

King of Kosambī. He was the son of Parantapa. Once when be discovered that the women of the court had given five hundred costly robes to Ānanda, he was annoyed, but when in answer to his questions Ānanda explained to him that nothing given to members of the Order was wasted, he was pleased and himself made a similar offering of robes to Ānanda. Vin.ii.291 The incident took place after the Buddha’s death.

Udena visited Piṇḍola Bhāradvāja to learn how young monastics curbed their passions, at which meeting Udena declared himself a follower of the Buddha. SN.iv.110f.

Udena²

A thera. He once stayed, after the Buddha’s death, in the Khemiyambavana near Benares. There the brahmin Ghoṭamukha visited him. Their conversation is recorded in the Ghoṭamukha Sutta. At the end of Udena’s sermon, the brahmin offered to share with him the daily allowance he received from the Aṅga king. This offer was refused, and at Udena’s suggestion Ghoṭamukha built an assembly-hall for monks at Pāṭaliputta; this assembly-hall was named after him. MN.ii.157ff.

Udena³

An upāsaka of Kosala. He built a dwelling for the Order, and he invited monks for its dedication, which took place during the Vassa. It being against the rules to go on a journey before the Vassa, the monks asked him to postpone the dedication. This annoyed him. When the matter was referred to the Buddha, he altered the rule so that a journey lasting not more than seven days could be undertaken during the Vassa. Vin.i.139