• Hārita

1. Hārita. The same as Harittaca. See the Hārita Jātaka.

2. Hārita. A Mahā Brahmā who was present at the preaching of the Mahāsamaya Sutta, at the head of one hundred thousand other Brahmās (D.ii.261; DA.ii.693; cf. DA.i.40).

He was one of the chief Brahmās. See, e.g., DA.ii.693; MA.ii.576.

3. Hārita Thera. He was the son of a wealthy brahmin of Sāvatthi, and had a beautiful wife. One day, while contemplating her beauty, he realized that it was impermanent. A few days later his wife was bitten by a snake and died. In his anguish he sought the Buddha, and, comforted by him, left the world. For some time he could not concentrate. Then one day, going to the village for alms, he saw a fletcher straightening his arrow. So he turned back and stirred up insight. The Buddha, standing in the air above him, admonished him in a verse, and Hārita attained arahantship.

Thirty one kappas ago he offered some kutaja-flowers to a Pacceka Buddha, named Sumana (Thag.vs.29; ThagA.i.87f). He is evidently identical with Kutajapupphiya Thera of the Apadāna. Ap.ii.451.

4. Hārita Thera. He was a brahmin of Sāvatthi, and, because of pride of birth, used to call others low born. Later he entered the Order, but even then this habit persisted. One day, after hearing the Buddha preach, he reviewed his mind, and was distressed by his conceit and arrogance. Thereupon, putting forth effort, he conjured up insight and won arahantship.

In the time of Padumuttara Buddha he offered perfumes at the Buddha's funeral pyre (Thag.vss.261-3; ThagA.i.376f). He is evidently identical with Gandhapūjaka Thera of the Apadāna. Ap.ii.406.

5. Hārita. A mountain near Himavā. Ap.i.278; ThagA.i.247.

6. Hārita Thera. An arahant. Dhammadassī Buddha preached to him in the Sudassanārāma and declared him foremost of those who practised austerities. BuA.183.