In Buddhism

Theravada (major branch of Buddhism)

Source: Pali Kanon: Pali Proper Names

A lady of Velukanta (Velukanda). She is mentioned as an exemplary lay woman (A.i.88; ii.164). She founded, for the Order headed by Sariputta and Moggallana an offering which the Buddha praised, because it was endowed with the six requisite qualities. See Dana Sutta (1).

Once she rose before dawn and sang the Parayana. Vessavana happened to be passing over her house on his way from north to south (to see the Buddha, says SNA.i.369), and hearing the song, stopped at her window to praise it and to reveal his identity. She greeted him cordially, and in return for her greeting he announced to her that Sariputta and Moggallana were on their way to Velukanta. She, delighted with the news, made all preparations and sent word to the monastery, inviting the monks to the house. After the meal, she informed the Elders that Vessavana had told her of their arrival. When they expressed their amazement, she told them of several other virtues possessed by her. Her only son Nanda was seized by the kings men and killed before her eyes, but she experienced no disquiet, nor did she when her husband, after his death, having been born as a Yakkha (Bhummadevata says the Commentary), revealed himself to her. She was guilty of no transgression of the precepts, could enter into the four jhanas at will, and had cast off the five lower fetters. The monks expressed their great admiration and Sariputta preached to her (A.iv.63ff).

Buddhaghosa says (AA.ii.718; cf. SNA.i.370) that she was an anagami, and that, when she promised to share with Vessavana the merits she would gain by entertaining the monks, headed by the two Chief Disciples, Vessavana, to show his gratitude, filled her stores with rice, and these stores remained always full throughout her life. They thus became proverbial.

The Sutta Nipata Commentary (SNA.i.370) states that she kept a daily fast and knew the Pitakas by heart. It also says that, at the end of her recital of the Parayana, Vessavana offered her a boon, and she asked that, as her servants were weary of carrying the harvest home from the fields, Vessavana should allow his Yakkhas to do the work for them. To this he agreed, and his followers filled for her one thousand two hundred and fifty store houses. Vessavana then went to the Buddha and told him of what had happened.

The Dhammapada Commentary (DhA.i.340) mentions Velukantaki Nandamata and Khujjattara as the chief lay women disciples of the Buddha. But in the Anguttara list of eminent lay women, while Velukantaki Nandamatas name does not occur, Khujjatara is mentioned. Mention is made of a Nandamata, eminent in meditation, but she is called Uttara.

A.i.26; cf. S.ii.236, where the same two are mentioned; Mrs. Rhys Davids thinks that Velukantaki Nandamata is probably identical with Uttara Nandamata (Brethren 4, n.1).

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: Nandamata Sutta, Ekadhitu Sutta, Velukanda, Dana Sutta, Ayacana Sutta, Vessavana.

Relevant text

Search found 1 books and stories containing Velukantaki, Velukandaki, Velukantakī, Velukantakiya; (plurals include: Velukantakis, Velukandakis, Velukantakīs, Velukantakiyas). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

The Great Chronicle of Buddhas (by Ven. Mingun Sayadaw)

Miscellaneous Notes on Different Aspect of Dāna (generosity) < [Chapter 6 - On Pāramitā]

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