Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c24.219

v1.c24.219

1. Dhammadinna Thera.—Also called Mahādhammadinna. An arahant. He resided at Talaṅga-(Talaṅgatissa-pabbata) (*q.v.*). He was one of the monks who partook of the meal of sour gruel given by Duṭṭhagāmaṇi when in dire distress for want of food. Dhammadinna distributed his share among ten thousand monks in Piyaṅgudīpa.¹ He is also mentioned² as having accepted a meal given by Sāliya and his wife when they were blacksmiths in a previous birth. Dhammadinna had a nephew who became an arahant in the tonsure-hall. Dhammadinna read to him the three Piṭakas, and he learnt them all on that occasion.³ Dhammadinna's teacher was Mahānāga of Uccataḷaṅka (*v.l.* Uccavālika). Dhammadinna visited him in his old age, knowing that, though he himself thought he had attained arahantship, this was not the case. By a display of *iddhi*-power, Dhammadinna convinced Mahānāga of his error and gave him a subject of meditation. Almost immediately after, the Elder became an arahant.⁴ Once, while preaching the Apaṇṇaka Sutta, at Tissamahārāma, Dhammadinna pointed his fan downwards, whereupon the earth opened to the depth of Avīci, revealing all that was there. Similarly, he showed all things to the height of the Brahma-world. During his sermon he frightened the audience with the fear of hell and lured them with the bliss of heaven.⁵