[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Reference works](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference) › [Dictionary of Pali Proper Names](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937) › v1.c6.3374 # Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c6.3374 Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names v1.c6.3374 - **Language:** English ### [v1.c6.3374](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3374) 1. Asita.—Often called the Buddhist Simeon, though the comparison is not quite correct. He was a sage and the chaplain of Sīhahanu, father of Suddhodana. He was the teacher of the Suddhodana, and later his chaplain. He came morning and evening to see the king, Suddhodana, who showed him as great respect as he had while yet his pupil; this, we are told, is a characteristic of Sākya kings. With the king’s leave, Asita renounced the world and lived in the king’s pleasaunce. In due course he developed various iddhi powers. Thenceforward he would often spend the day in the deva worlds. Once, while in Tāvatimsa, he saw the whole city decked with splendour and the gods engaged in great rejoicing. On inquiry he learnt that Siddhattha Gotama, destined to become the Buddha, had been born. Immediately he went to Suddhodana’s home and asked to see the babe. From the auspicious marks on its body he knew that it would become the Enlightened One and was greatly overjoyed, but realising that he himself would, by then, be born in an Arūpa world and would not therefore be able to hear the Buddha preach, he wept and was sad. Having reassured the king regarding the babe’s future, Asita sought his sister’s son, Nalaka, and ordained him that he might be ready to benefit by the Buddha’s teaching when the time came. Later Asita was born in the Arūpa world.¹ - [Previous: v1.c6.3373](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3373) - [Next: v1.c6.3375](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3375) - [Up: v1.c6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3374](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.reference.malalasekera-1937.v1.c6.3374) · Pramāṇa