An upāsaka of Sāvatthi. He went with five hundred others to listen to Revata, who, however, being fond of solitude, would not teach him. In anger he went to Sāriputta who, on hearing his grievances, discoursed at length on the Abhidhamma. Annoyed thereat he repaired to Ānanda, to whom he told the story. Ānanda taught them a very short discourse, and the lay disciples in despair sought the Buddha. The Buddha pointed out to them that they had been too hasty in their condemnation. At the end of the discourse Atula and his companions gained the First Fruit of the Path. DhA.iii.325-9.