Hatthaka of Alavi
Encyclopedia
Hatthaka of Alavi was one of the foremost lay male disciples
of the Buddha
, mentioned in text along with Citta
in the Buddhavamsa
xxvi.19 and considered the foremost in gathering a following using the "four bases of sympathy" which he describes as being:
He was the son of a ruler of Alavi. His given name was changed to "Hatthaka" after Buddha
saved him from being eaten by a Yakkha
(or Yaksha
) spirit named Alavaka. His name "Hatthaka" (hattha means "hand") comes from his being handed over by the yakha spirit to Buddha upon his conversion.
He was an Anagami
n or a non-returner and was born in a heaven called "Aviha" where he would attain Arahant status.
Sravaka
Shravaka or Śrāvaka or Sāvaka means "hearer" or, more generally, "disciple".This term is used by both Buddhists and Jains. In Jainism, a shravaka is any lay Jain...
of the Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
, mentioned in text along with Citta
Citta
Citta was one of the chief lay disciples of the Buddha. He was a wealthy merchant from Savatthi. His life and character were so pure that near his death, had he wished to be a chakravartin, it would've been granted. However, he turned down this wish as it was temporal...
in the Buddhavamsa
Buddhavamsa
The Buddhavamsa is a Buddhist scripture, part of the Pali Canon of Theravada Buddhism. It is included there in the Sutta Pitaka's Khuddaka Nikaya. It is a fairly short work in verse, in 28 chapters, detailing aspects of the life of Gautama Buddha and the twenty-four preceding Buddhas...
xxvi.19 and considered the foremost in gathering a following using the "four bases of sympathy" which he describes as being:
- 1) he gives gifts
- 2) he talks with kindly words
- 3) he does kindly deeds
- 4) he treats people with equality.
He was the son of a ruler of Alavi. His given name was changed to "Hatthaka" after Buddha
Gautama Buddha
Siddhārtha Gautama was a spiritual teacher from the Indian subcontinent, on whose teachings Buddhism was founded. In most Buddhist traditions, he is regarded as the Supreme Buddha Siddhārtha Gautama (Sanskrit: सिद्धार्थ गौतम; Pali: Siddhattha Gotama) was a spiritual teacher from the Indian...
saved him from being eaten by a Yakkha
Yakkha
Yakkha is an indigenous ethnic group of Nepal . It is one of the progenies of Nepal's prehistoric Kirat dynasty of around 100 BC.-Etymology:...
(or Yaksha
Yaksha
Yaksha is the name of a broad class of nature-spirits, usually benevolent, who are caretakers of the natural treasures hidden in the earth and tree roots. They appear in Hindu, Jain and Buddhist mythology. The feminine form of the word is ' or Yakshini .In Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist mythology,...
) spirit named Alavaka. His name "Hatthaka" (hattha means "hand") comes from his being handed over by the yakha spirit to Buddha upon his conversion.
He was an Anagami
Anagami
In Buddhism, an anāgāmi is a partially enlightened person who has cut off the first five chains that bind the ordinary mind. Anagami-ship is the third of the four stages of enlightenment....
n or a non-returner and was born in a heaven called "Aviha" where he would attain Arahant status.