Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c37.36

v2.c37.36

When he grew up Hatthaka heard the Buddha preach, and, in due course, became an Anāgāmin. He was always accompanied by five hundred lay disciples, and was one of seven laymen who had such a following.³ The books record several conversations between the Buddha and Hatthaka. He once saw the Buddha at Gomagga in Siṃsapavana, near Āḷavī, and asked him if he were one of those who lived happily. The Buddha said he was always happy in any circumstances.⁴ On another occasion the Buddha asked Hatthaka how he could command the allegiance of such a large company. “By the four bases of sympathy,” he answered, “by giving gifts, by kindly words, by kindly deeds, by equality of treatment.” And when Hatthaka had gone, the Buddha praised him for his eminence, in that he possessed eight marvellous qualities: faith, virtue, conscientiousness, fear of blame, ability to listen well, charity, wisdom, modesty.⁵ Together with Citta-gahapati, Hatthaka is often held up as an example to be copied by others.⁶