Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c16.1016

v1.c16.1016

Cūlasamudda.—An Elder of Ceylon (Tambapaṇṇi). Once, in a time of famine, seven hundred monks came to him early in the day. Realising that he could not get alms anywhere in Ceylon, he took them across to Pāṭaliputta by the power of his *iddhi*. Before he started the monks asked him the time, and when he told them they said, “But, Sir, Pāṭaliputta is far off!” “Friends, aged elders seize the distance and make it near.” “Where is the ocean, Sir?” “Friends, that was the dark ditch you passed on the way!” “But, Sir, the ocean is large!” “Friends, aged elders make the great small.”¹ The Majjhima Commentary² mentions a Gavilaṅgana-vāsī Cūlasammuda who, when asked what he wished for, answered, “*Lokuttara* things only.”