Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v1.c9.908

v1.c9.908

7. Upatissa.—Thera of Tambapaṇṇidīpa (Ceylon), perhaps to be identified with No. 6 above. He and his colleague, Phussadeva, are often mentioned as being expert exponents of the Vinaya. Upatissa had two pupils, Mahāpaduma and Māhāsumma, who became very famous as vinayadharā. Mahāpaduma “read” through the Vinaya eighteen times with his teacher, and Mahāsumma nine times.¹ Buddhaghosa evidently regarded with great respect the explanations of various Vinaya questions as given by Upatissa, for he often quotes him.²