Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c35.15

v2.c35.15

1. Vakkali Thera.—He belonged to a brahmin family of Sāvatthi and became proficient in the three Vedas. After he once saw the Buddha he could never tire of looking at him, and followed him about. In order to be closer to him he became a monk, and spent all his time, apart from meals and bathing, in contemplating the Buddha’s person. One day the Buddha said to him, “The sight of my foul body is useless; he who sees the Dhamma, he it is that seeth me” (*yo kho dhammaṃ passati so mamaṃ passati; yo mamaṃ passati so dhammaṃ passati*).¹ But even then Vakkali would not leave the Buddha till, on the last day of the rains, the Buddha commanded him to depart. Greatly grieved, Vakkali sought the precipices of Gijjhakūṭa. The Buddha, aware of this, appeared before him and uttered a stanza; then stretching out his hand, he said: “Come, monk.” Filled with joy, Vakkali rose in the air pondering on the Buddha’s words and realized arahantship.²