In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

1. Ekadhammasavaniya Thera - He was the son of a banker in Setavya and he went to see the Buddha who was visiting the town and staying in the Simsapa wood. The Buddha preached to him on the impermanence of all component things and at the end of the sermon he became an arahant. He received his name because he won insight by hearing the Dhamma only once.

In the time of Padumuttara Buddha he was a tree sprite and, coming across some monks who had lost their way, he looked after them, gave them food and directed them to their destination. After the death of Kassapa Buddha, he was born as the son of Suyama and great grandson of Kiki and became king of Benares under the name of Kiki Brahmadatta. Not finding anyone capable of preaching the Doctrine to him, he left his throne in disgust and started on his way to Himava. As he went along the road, Sakka appeared before him and quoted to him some lines on the impermanence of all things. Satisfied therewith, the king returned to his capital (Thag.v.67; ThagA.i.151f).

The Apadana verses regarding this Thera quoted in the Theragatha Commentary are, in the Apadana itself (i.152f), attributed to an Elder named Maggasannaka, with whom he is evidently to be identified. Five kappas ago he became king twelve times under the name of Sacakkhu. v.l. Ekadhammika.

2. Ekadhammasavaniya Thera - An arahant. In the time of Padumuttara he was a Jatila of great power. Once when journeying through the air he found his progress suddenly stopped and, on investigation, discovered that below him, on the ground, the Buddha was preaching. He listened to the sermon, which dealt with impermanence, and, returning to his hermitage, meditated on this topic. Later he was born in Tavatimsa. Fifty one times he reigned as king of heaven for thirty thousand kappas and twenty one times he was king of men. In this last life he heard a monk in his fathers house preaching a sermon in reference to the impermanence of all component things. At the end of the sermon he remembered his former attainments and, seated there, reached arahantship. He was only seven years old at the time. Ap.ii.385.

context information

Theravāda is a major branch of Buddhism having the the Pali canon (tipitaka) as their canonical literature, which includes the vinaya-pitaka (monastic rules), the sutta-pitaka (Buddhist sermons) and the abhidhamma-pitaka (philosophy and psychology).

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Ekadhammika, Sacakkhu, Maggasannaka, Setavya.

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