savittha_thera

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Savittha Thera

In the Aṅguttara (A.i.118f) he is represented as saying, in the course of a conversation between him, Sāriputta and Koṭṭhita, that he preferred the person who obtains relief by faith (saddhā), to one who testifies to the truth with the body or one who has won view.

The Commentary (AA.i.353) explains that Savittha himself won Arahantship through faith, and that therefore he praises faith.

The Saṃyutta Nikāya (S.ii.115) contains two conversations of Savittha, both of which took place at the Ghositārāma in Kosambī. The first is with Musīla and deals with the Law of Dependent Origination (Paṭiccasamuppāda). Musīla, in answer to Savittha’s questions, says that he has realised the truth of Paṭiccasamuppāda as his own. “Then you are an Arahant,” says Savittha, and Musīla remains silent. In the other conversation, Nārada, present at the discussion, in the company of Ānanda, requests that the same questions be put to him. This Savittha does, and he tells Savittha that he has realised the truth of Paṭiccasamuppāda by right insight and that, yet, he is not an Arahant. He is like a man who sees a well containing water, but who has neither rope nor vessel. “Now, what will you say of Nārada?” asks Ānanda. “Nothing that is not lovely and good,” answers Savittha.

Dictionary of Pāli Proper Names • G.P. Malalasekera