A follower of Kassapa Buddha. Five hundred others were associated with him, and at first their spiritual life was poor. Gavesī, realising this, put forth effort and, step by step, attained greater proficiency until, at last, he became an arahant. His followers imitated him in every step of his spiritual advancement, and they, too, became arahants.
The Buddha related this story to Ananda during a tour in Kosala. They came to a sāla-grove and there the Buddha smiled; when asked the reason for his smile, he replied that the grove was the scene of Gavesī's practice of the religious life. A.iii.214ff.