Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c18.443

v1.c18.443

Jīvaka’s fame as a physician brought him more work than he could cope with, but he never neglected his duties to the Saṅgha. Many people, afflicted with disease and unable to pay for treatment by him, joined the Order in order that they might receive that treatment. On discovering that the Order was thus being made a convenience of, he asked the Buddha to lay down a rule that men afflicted with certain diseases should be refused entry into the Order.⁷ Jīvaka was declared by the Buddha chief among his lay followers loved by the people (*aggam puggalappasannānam*).⁸ He is included in a list of good men who have been assured of the realisation of deathlessness.⁹