• Phussadeva

One of the two chief disciples of Dhammadassī Buddha. J.i.39; Bu.xvi.18.

An eminent teacher of the Vinaya (Vin.v.3) in Ceylon. He was a contemporary of Upatissa, from whose views his own often differed. See Sp.i.263; ii.456, 495; iii. 651, 653; iv. 890.

An incumbent of Katakandhakāra in Ceylon. He was among those taking part in the assemblies mentioned in Kuddālaka, Mūgapakkha, Ayoghara and Hatthipāla Jātakas (J.iv. 490; vi. 30). Once Māra, assuming the form of the Buddha, tried to tempt him, but the Elder, seeing this form and deriving joy from its contemplation, became an arahant. Vsm. 263.

One of the chief warriors of Dutthagāmanī. He was born in the village of Gavita and his father was Uppala. Once, having gone to the vihāra with other boys, he saw a conch shell offered at the bodhi tree and blew on it. All those who heard him stood as if stunned, and he came to be called Ummāda Phussadeva. His father was an archer, and he himself became very skilled in this art (Mhv.Xxiii.82f), the best archer in the island (Mhv.Xxv.82). In Dutthagāmanī's fight with Bhalluka, Phussadeva sat behind the king on the elephant and shot Bhalluka. His arrow grazed the king's ear, causing the blood to flow. In expiation, Phussadeva cut off the lobe of his own ear and showed it to the king. Later the king planted Phussadeva's arrow on the floor, and covering it to its full height with kahāpanas, gave the money to Phussadeva. Ibid., 91 ff. See also Ras.ii.100f.