A Sakyan prince, son of Amitodana; he was elder brother of Anuruddha and cousin of the Buddha. When the Sakyan families of Kapilavatthu sent their representatives to join the Order of their distinguished kinsman, Mahānāma allowed Anuruddha to leave the household, he knowing nothing of household affairs.¹ Mahānāma showed great generosity to the Saṅgha, and was proclaimed best of those who gave choice alms to the monks (A.i.26). Once, with the Buddha’s permission, he supplied the Order with medicaments for three periods of four months each. The group of six monks (Chabbaggiyā) — always intent on mischief — tried in vain to discourage him.² Mahānāma was a devoted follower of the Buddha and wished to understand the Doctrine. The books record several conversations between him and the Buddha, and with Ānanda, Godha, and Lomasavaṅgīsa.³ Once when the Buddha arrived at Kapilavatthu he asked Mahānāma to find him lodging for the night. Mahānāma tried everywhere without success, and finally suggested that the Buddha should spend the night in the hermitage of Bharaṇḍu Kālāma (S.v.327 f). This he did, and was joined there the next morning by Mahānāma; as a result of the discussion between the Buddha, Mahānāma and Bharaṇḍu, the last-named left Kapilavatthu never to return. On another occasion, Mahānāma visited the Buddha at Nigrodhārāma where the Buddha was convalescing after a severe illness, and at once Mahānāma asked a question as to whether concentration followed or preceded knowledge. Ānanda, who was present, not wishing the Buddha to be troubled, took Mahānāma aside and explained to him the Buddha’s teachings on the subject. See the Mahānāma Sakka Sutta (A.i.219 f ).

Mahānāma had a daughter Vāsabhakhattiyā, by a slave-girl named Nāgamuṇḍā, and when Pasenadi asked the Sākyā to give him in marriage a Sakyan maiden they met in the Mote Hall, and, following the advice of Mahānāma, sent Vāsabhakhattiyā to him. In order to allay any suspicions, Mahānāma sat down to a meal with her, taking one mouthful from the same dish; but before he could swallow it a messenger arrived, as secretly arranged, and summoned him away. He left, asking Vāsabhakhattiyā to continue her meal (DhA.i.345 f; J.i.133; iv. 145 f).

See also the Cūḷadukkhakkhandha Sutta and Sekha Sutta, both taught to Mahānāma.

His resolve to attain to eminence as the best distributor of pleasant food to the monks was made in the time of Padumuttara Buddha. He was then a householder of Haṃsavatī and heard the Buddha confer a similar rank on a monk (AA.i.213).

Mahānāma is included in a list of exemplary lay devotees (A.iii.451). The Samantapāsādikā (Sp.iv.857) adds that Mahānāma was one month older than the Buddha and that he was a Once-returner.