Dictionary of Pali Proper Names v2.c38.288

v2.c38.288

Tissamahānāga Thera.—A monk of Kuṭumbiya Vihāra. Having heard the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta from Tissa Thera of Ambalena, he was on his way back when he met a wild elephant. By his virtue the elephant was subdued and Tissamahānāga took shelter from a storm under the elephant's body. There he developed arahantship. He then went to Viyoḷaka-vihāra with the elephant, and for thirty years the animal waited on him. After death the monk's remains were cremated at Kuṭumbiya Vihāra, and the elephant participated in the celebrations.¹