A thera. He was the son of an eminent brahmin of Rājagaha (of Sāvatthi, according to the Apadāna). He became proficient in Vedic lore and renowned for his breeding, beauty, wisdom, and virtue. The king’s minister, Vassakāra, seeing his attainments, desired to marry him to his daughter; but Uttara, with his heart set on release, declined, and learnt the Doctrine under Sāriputta. Later he entered the Order and waited on Sāriputta.

One day Sāriputta fell ill and Uttara set out early to find a physician. On the way he set down his bowl by a lake and went down to wash his mouth. A certain thief, pursued by the police, dropped his stolen jewels into the novice’s bowl and fled. Uttara was brought before Vassakāra who, to satisfy his grudge, ordered him to be impaled. The Buddha, seeing the ripeness of his insight, went to him and placing a gentle hand, “like a shower of crimson gold,” on Uttara’s head, spoke to him and encouraged him to reflection. Transported with joy and rapture at the Master’s touch, he attained sixfold higher knowledge (abhiññā) and became an Arahant. Rising from the stake, he stood in mid-air and his wound was healed. Addressing his fellow-celibates, be told them how, when he realised the evils of rebirth, he forgot the lesser evil of present pain (Thag.vv.121-2; ThigA.i.240 ff).

In the time of Sumedha Buddha, he bad been a sorcerer (vijjādhara). Once, while flying through the air, he saw the Buddha at the foot of a tree in the forest and, being glad, offered him three kaṇikāra flowers.

By the Buddha’s power, the flowers stood above him forming a canopy. The sorcerer was later born in Tāvatiṃsa, where his palace was known as Kaṇikāra.

He was king of the gods one hundred and five times, and king of men one hundred and three times.

According to the Apadāna (quoted in ThigA.), he became an Arahant at the age of seven. This does not agree with the rest of the story and is probably due to a confusion with some other Uttara.

Uttara is probably to be identified with Tīṇikapikārapupphiya of the Apadāna. Ap.ii.441 ff. Ras.i.52 f.