Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c35.106

v2.c35.106

2. Vacchagotta.—A Paribbājaka. He is mentioned in the Aṅguttara Nikāya¹ as visiting the Buddha at Veṇāgapura, where he was at the head of the brahmins. He is possibly to be identified with Vacchagotta (1). In this context, however, he is called Veṇāgapurika. Vacchagotta (1) (q.v.) was a native of Rājagaha, but seems to have travelled widely, for we find him visiting the Buddha at Vesālī,² at Sāvatthi,³ and at Ñātikā,⁴ in addition to his visits to Rājagaha.⁵ The Commentary,⁶ moreover, explains Veṇāgapuraka by “Veṇāgapuravāsī,” which may mean that he merely lived at Veṇāgapura and was not necessarily a native of that place. Vacchagotta’s question was as to how the Buddha looked so shining and his colour so clear? Was it because he slept on a luxurious bed? The Buddha answered that his bed was luxurious and comfortable, but from quite a different point of view. At the end of the discourse, Vacchagotta declares himself a follower of the Buddha.