Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c14.874

v1.c14.874

3. Gotama Thera.—Also called Aparagotama. He was older than the Buddha and belonged to an Udicca-brahmin family of Sāvatthi. He was learned in the Vedas and was an unrivalled orator. When the Buddha came to Sāvatthi for the dedication of Jetavana, he heard the Buddha preach and entered the Order, attaining arahantship in the tonsure-hall. When he returned to Sāvatthi, after a long residence in the Kosala country, many of his relations, eminent brahmins, came to him and counselled him as to the various gospels (suddhivādā) current among the people; he told them of the Buddha’s teaching.¹