Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c34.181

v2.c34.181

Elsewhere,¹¹ however, we find Lāḷudāyī listening in all humility to a discourse by Sāriputta on Nibbāna, as the happiness which is not sensed (avedayitasukha). Though Udāyī’s knowledge of the Dhamma was not profound, he did not hesitate to take part in a discussion, even with the Buddha himself, when occasion arose. We find him twice censured by the Buddha for this exhibition of his ignorance, once in the Mahākamma-vibhaṅga Sutta¹² and once again in a discussion on anussati.¹³ In both instances Ānanda is present, and, in the discussion on anussati, he earns the Buddha’s praise for his knowledge compared with Udāyī’s ignorance. This annoyed Udāyī, for we find him confronting Ānanda with the fact that though he had been in the constant society of the Buddha he had not profited by it, a remark which earned the censure of the Buddha and his assurance that Ānanda would certainly reach perfection in that very life.¹⁴