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Mahādeva
- 1. Mahādeva Thera. The Chief Disciple of
Padumuttara Buddha. AA.i.114; but Bu.xi.24 calls him Devala.
- 2. Mahādeva Thera. A disciple of Kakusandha
Buddha, whom he accompanied to Ceylon, and who was left behind by the Buddha
to look after the converts. Mhv.xv.89; Dpv.xv.38, 43; xvii.25; Sp.i.86.
- 3. Mahādeva Thera. He conferred the pabbajā
ordination on Mahinda (Mhv.v.206; Dpv.vii.25). After
the Third Council he went as apostle to Mahisamandala, where he preached the
Devadūta Sutta, converting forty thousand people and conferring ordination on
forty thousand more. Mhv.xii.3, 29; Dpv.viii.5; Sp.i.66.
- 4. Mahādeva. A minister of Asoka, whose counsel
was followed by Asoka in the arrangements for the despatch of a branch of the
Bodhi-tree to Ceylon. Mhv.xviii.20.
- 5. Mahādeva Thera. He was from Pallavabhogga,
and was present with four hundred and sixty thousand monks at the Foundation
Ceremony of the Mahā Thūpa. Mhv.xxix.38.
- 6. Mahādeva Thera. He was an incumbent of
Bhaggari, and was among those who were the last to become arahants after
renouncing the world with the Bodhisatta in previous births. J.iv.490.
- 7. Mahādeva Thera. From Dāmahālaka. King
Sanghatissa heard him one day preach the merits of giving rice gruel, and
thereupon instituted an abundant gift of rice gruel to the monks at the gates
of Anurādhapura. Mhv.xxxvi.68.
- 8. Mahādeva. A minister of Dappula II. He built
the Dappulapabbata vihāra. Cv.l.80.
- 9. Mahādeva. See Maliya Mahādeva.