Vappa, 1 Definition(s)

1. Vappa Thera. One of the Pancavaggiya. He was the son of Vasettha, a brahmin of Kapilavatthu. When Asita declared that Prince Siddhattha would become the Buddha, Vappa and four other brahmins, headed by Kondanna, became recluses. Vappa was with the Buddha during the six years of his ascetic practices, but being disappointed when the Buddha began taking solid food, he left him and went to Isipatana, where the Buddha, after his Enlightenment, preached to him and the others the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. On the fifth day after, Vappa and his companions became arahants, at the end of the Anattalakkhana Sutta. Vappa became a sotapanna on the second day of the quarter (AA.i.84); patipadadivase, says ThagA. (loc. infra) and MA.i.390.

Vappas resolve to be among the first of the Buddhas followers was taken in the time of Padumuttara Buddha. In the past, he was sixteen times king, under the name of Mahadundubhi.

ThagA.i.140f.; a verse attributed to him is found in Thag.61); see also J.i.82; Dpv.i.32; Vin.i.12.

2. Vappa. A Sakiyan, disciple of the Niganthas.* He visits Moggallana and they talk of the asavas. The Buddha joins them and tells Vappa how the asavas can be completely destroyed so that the monk who has so destroyed them will abide in the six satata viharas with equanimity, mindful and comprehending. Vappa is convinced of the superiority of the Buddhas teaching and becomes his follower. A.ii.196f.

* AA.ii.559 says he was the Buddhas uncle (culapita) and a Sakiyan raja. He was a disciple of Nigantha Nataputta.