Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c35.18

v2.c35.18

According to the Theragāthā Commentary,³ when Vakkali was dismissed by the Buddha he lived on Gijjhakūṭa, practising meditation, but could not attain insight because of his emotional nature (*saddhā*). The Buddha then gave him a special exercise, but neither could he achieve this, and, from lack of food, he suffered from cramp. The Buddha visited him and uttered a verse to encourage him. Vakkali spoke four verses⁴ in reply, and, conjuring up insight, won arahantship. Later, in the assembly of the monks, the Buddha declared him foremost among those of implicit faith (*saddhāadhimuttānaṃ*).⁵ In the Pārāyanavagga⁶ the Buddha is represented as holding Vakkali up to Piṅgiya as an example of one who won emancipation through faith.