• Mendasira (v.l. Mendasīsa)

An arahant Thera. He was born in the family of a burgher of Sāketa and was so called because his head resembled that of a ram. When the Buddha was staying in Añjanavana in Sāketa, Mendasira heard him preach and entered the Order, attaining arahantship in due course.

In the time of Vipassī Buddha, he lived near Mount Gotama in Himavā with a large following of ascetics. There they met the Buddha and offered him lotus flowers. Fifty one kappas ago he was a king named Januttama (Jaluttama) (Thag.78; ThagA.i.171f). He is evidently to be identified with Padumapūjaka of the Apadāna. Ap.i.102f.