MÄtaá¹…gaputta Thera
The son of MÄtaá¹…ga, a landowner of Kosala. He was idle, and, when rebuked, joined the monks, hoping thus to have an easy life. However, one day he heard the Buddha teach, entered the Order, and not long after became an Arahant.
In the time of Padumuttara Buddha he was a mighty NÄga king, and, seeing the Buddha travelling through the air, he honoured him by giving him his throat jewel (Thag.vss.231 3; ThagA.i.348ff). He is probably identical with MaṇipÅ«jaka Thera of the ApadÄna. Ap.ii.413f.
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