Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c21.362

v1.c21.362

Tālapuṭa, Talapuṭa.—A naṭagāmaṇi (stage-manager) of Rājagaha. With a company of five hundred men, he gave dramatic performances of great splendour in towns and villages and in royal courts, and won much fame and favour. One day he visited the Buddha and asked if it was true that players who delight large audiences are reborn among the gods of laughter. Three times the Buddha refused to answer, but in the end allowed himself to be persuaded, and told Tālapuṭa that those who induce sensual states in others will be reborn in purgatory. Tālapuṭa wept to think that older actors should so have deceived him in telling him of their theories, and, having heard the Buddha preach, entered the Order and soon became an arahant.¹