Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c35.97

v2.c35.97

1. **Vacchagotta**.—A **Paribbājaka**, who later became an arahant Thera. Several conversations he had with the Buddha are mentioned in the books. For details see the **Tevijja Vacchagotta°**, **Aggi Vacchagotta°**, **Mahā Vacchagotta°**, **Vaccha°** and **Vacchagotta Suttas**. Some of these suttas are quoted in the **Kathāvatthu**.¹ The **Saṃyutta Nikāya**² contains a whole section on **Vacchagotta**; his discussions were chiefly concerned with such mythical questions as to whether the world is eternal, the nature of life, the existence or otherwise of the **Tathāgata** after death, etc. The three Vacchagotta Suttas of the **Majjhima Nikāya** seem to contain the story of Vacchagotta's conversion, in due order: at the conclusion of the Tevijja-Vacchagotta (No. 72) it is merely stated that "the Paribbājaka Vacchagotta rejoiced in what the Blessed One has said." At the end of the next, the Aggi-Vacchagotta, he is mentioned as having accepted the Buddha as his teacher. In the third, the Mahā-Vacchagotta, he seeks ordination from the Buddha at **Rājagaha**, and receives it after the requisite probationary period of four months. He returns to the Buddha after two weeks and tells him that he has attained all that is to be attained by a non-arahant's understanding and asks for a further exposition of the Doctrine. The Buddha tells him to proceed to the study of calm and insight, whereby sixfold *abhiññā* may be acquired. Vacchagotta profits by the lesson and soon after becomes an arahant. He thereupon sends news of his attainment to the Buddha through some monks, and the Buddha says he has already heard the news from the devas.³