Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c31.2252

v2.c31.2252

2. Mahāsīva Thera.—Resident of Vāmantapabbhāra. He was among the last of the arahants, and had taken part in various assemblies led by the Boddhisatta.¹ It is probably this Thera who is referred to as Gāmantapabbhāravāsī Mahāsīva in the Aṅguttara Commentary.² He lived in Tissamahārāma at Mahāgāma, and was the teacher of eighteen groups of monks. One of his pupils became an arahant, and, being aware that his teacher was yet a puthujjana, went to him and asked his leave to be taught a stanza. But Mahāsīva said his pupils were so numerous that he had no time to give him a stanza. The pupil waited for a whole day and night, and then getting no chance of learning, said, “If you are so busy now how will you find time to die?” Mahāsīva heard and understood, and exerted himself strenuously for thirty long years, at the end of which time he became an arahant.