Mendasira
PersonAlso known as Mendasīsa
An Arahant thera of Sāketa nicknamed for his ram-shaped head, who entered the Order after hearing the Buddha teach at Añjanavana and, in a past life under the Buddha Vipassī, offered lotus flowers as a hermit near Mount Gotama.
v.l. Mendasīsa.– An Arahant Thera. He was born in the family of a burgher of Sāketa and was so called because his head resembled that of a ram. When the Buddha was staying in Añjanavana in Sāketa, Mendasira heard him teach and entered the Order, attaining Arahantship in due course.
In the time of Vipassī Buddha, he lived near Mount Gotama in Himavā with a large following of ascetics. There they met the Buddha and offered him lotus flowers. Fifty-one world-cycles ago he was a king named Januttama (Jaluttama) (Thag.78; ThagA.i.171 f). He is evidently to be identified with Padumapūjaka of the Apadāna. Ap.i.102 f.
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