Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.1737

v2.c31.1737

Mahāpanthaka Thera.—The elder brother of Cūḷapanthaka (q.v.) and grandson of Dhanaseṭṭhi of Rājagaha. He went with his grandfather to hear the Buddha preach, won faith, and entered the Order. He became skilled in the Doctrine, and, in due course, received higher ordination and became an arahant, with special proficiency in the four arūpa-jhānas. Later, he was declared pre-eminent among those skilled in the evolution of consciousness (saññāvivaṭṭakusalānam).¹